Celebrating Holidays in the United States: President's Day

The United States has several holidays throughout the year. It's hard to keep track of them all, let alone know what they're about. While it comes once a year, Presidents Day isn't a common holiday around the world so we're here to help. It occurs on the third Monday of every February and was originally created to celebrate the birthday of our first president, George Washington. It began in 1800 after the death of George Washington to honor his role in American history. It expanded to the whole country in 1885 as one of the 5 major holidays in the U.S.

February is a common birthday month for many presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, so the holiday has evolved into one big celebration. As the holiday changed to give more recognition to two important men in history, it has now shifted to celebrate all the leaders in our American history. During this day, schools and many businesses are closed for family and friends to remember and celebrate their love for their country.

If you are new to the United States, then you probably haven't experienced a tradition quite like this. Some ways to celebrate are to attend a patriotic parade, watch a historic reenactment, read about one of our many presidents, or do a presidential themed craft with your host kids. If you really want to celebrate in a big way, pay a visit to Washington D.C.! Our nation's capital is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the history of America through our various museums and memorials.

One of the many joys of living in a new country is learning and celebrating a new culture's traditions. Embrace the day off with your host family and discover what you love about America. Commemorate the unique moments you have and share with your friends and family back home!

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