Presidents Day: What's Open & What's Closed

Presidents Day isn't really Presidents Day. Really.

The third Monday in February is a federal holiday that recognizes the birth of the first president of the United States: Gen. George Washington and only Washington, at least in the eyes of the federal government.

Is this news to anyone else or is it is just me? (Don't tell my grade and high school history teachers.)

According to history.com, Washington's birthday became a federal holiday in 1879 in the District of Columbia and then throughout the country in 1885. It was always celebrated on Washington's actual date of birth, Feb. 22.

In the 1960s and '70s, hoping to create three-day weekends for the nation's workforce, Congress discussed and then passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, according to The American Presidency Project. This switched the recognition of Washington's birthday, among others, from its actual day to a specified Monday in a given month.

Because the third Monday in February falls between Washington's birthday and President Abraham Lincoln's birthday (Feb. 12) it is often thought that the day honors both men, and in some states, all the presidents, according to history.com. But, at least on the federal books, the official holiday name remains Washington's Birthday.

For more details about the history of Presidents Day and the Act that created the holiday check out history.com and The American Presidency Project.

To read a collection of famous presidential quotes, read this post on Windsor Locks-East Windsor Patch.

Now, here's a look at what's open and what's closed in town:

Windsor Locks and East Windsor town halls - closed

Windsor Locks and East Windsor public schools - closed

U.S. Post Offices - closed

Most banks - closed (call ahead to confirm the hours at your local branch)

U.S. Stock Market - closed

Warehouse Point library (East Windsor) - closed

Windsor Locks Public Library - closed

Most restaurants and grocery stores are open today, but like the banks, call ahead for special hours.