Nation, DeSoto County observes Presidents’ Day

Monday is the federal holiday observance of Presidents’ Day. It is traditionally observed on the third Monday in February, which puts it close to the Feb. 22 birthdate of America’s first president, George Washington.  

Presidents’ Day, which some still call Washington’s Birthday, was originally started in 1885 in recognition of Washington. However, it became more commonly called Presidents’ Day with the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which created more three-day Monday holidays.  The day is now viewed as a day to celebrate all American presidents, past and current.  

Of note, Presidents’ Day never falls on the actual birthdate of a president. There are four past presidents who were born in February: Washington, William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan. However, their birthdates come either too early or too late to fall into the holiday parameters.  

As a federal holiday, many banks and schools are closed in observance of Presidents’ Day. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are closed for trading on Presidents’ Day. The post office is not open and non-essential federal workers have the day off.

DeSoto County Schools and Northpoint Christian School will not be in session on Presidents’ Day. 

The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors meeting of Monday, Feb. 19 moves to Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. in the Administration Office Board Room in Hernando.  

Garbage collection in the county will not be affected, however, as all routes will have pickup on its regular pickup days.  Most government offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday.