While most people know today as President’s Day, the official name of the holiday is actually Washington’s Birthday.
Back in 1951, Congress proposed changing the name to celebrate all the leaders of the U.S., but the government never got around to formally doing so. Some 17 years later, lawmakers did pass the “Uniform Monday Holiday Act,” moving the celebration from founding father George Washington’s actual birthday (Feb. 22) to the third Monday of February.
By the 1980s, retailers noted the close proximity of Washington’s birthday and that of Abraham Lincoln (born Feb. 12). Never one to miss a sales opportunity, they decided President’s Day was a catchier phrase—and before long, it was a part of the national vocabulary.
President’s Day, like many federal holidays, typically comes with some confusion. Some offices are closed; others are operating normally. And if you’ve got bank business to conduct or a meeting with a government official, there are better than average odds that you’re not going to get it done today.
Here’s a look at what’s open and closed on President’s Day 2025.
What is President’s Day?
While it’s formally a day to specifically honor George Washington and his contributions to the country, President’s Day has informally been expanded in recent years to honor other presidents, including Abraham Lincoln (born Feb. 12) and Thomas Jefferson (who was born in April).
It’s an unusual holiday, in that it’s better known by its informal name (President’s Day) than its official one (Washington’s Birthday). In fact, there are as many as 15 different names for this day among the states, with Presidents Day, President’s Day, and Presidents’ Day all widely used.
Are banks open on President’s Day?
They’re not. This is a federal holiday, meaning most banks will be closed as well. You can, of course, still use ATM machines to get cash or put money into your account and conduct online business.
Will there be any mail delivery on President’s Day?
Not from the U.S. Postal Service. Mail delivery is suspended today, but UPS and FedEx will conduct business as usual, including deliveries for all divisions. In addition, drop-off locations for both will maintain normal hours. Ground service could be modified, though, due to the USPS closure.
Is the stock market open on President’s Day?
Give your portfolio a day off. The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and bond markets are all closed today. Their next scheduled holiday is Good Friday on April 15.
Are government offices open on President’s Day?
Federal offices will be closed, and virtually all city, county and state divisions take a day off as well. That means everything from DMV offices to courts and city halls will not be accessible.
Which retail and grocery stores are closed on President’s Day?
Basically none. While some small businesses could be closed, no major retailer shuts down for this holiday. Many, in fact, offer “President’s Day Specials,” which offer deeply discounted clothing, electronics, mattresses and furniture.