Feb 19, 2015 3 min read

U.S. citizens excitedly celebrate an array of different holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, the Fourth of July and even Saint Patrick’s Day are never overlooked.

All of these holidays have turned into massive celebrations that are anticipated for weeks, sometimes months, in advance. But what about Presidents Day?

Yes, Presidents Day brings some weekend sales and, maybe, a day off of school but, unfortunately, that’s all anybody seems to care about. Many completely overlook the significance of the holiday.

We basically pass over it without stopping to appreciate what Presidents Day stands for.

Presidents Day was originally established in 1885 to commemorate the birthday of the United States’ first president and one of its greatest leaders, George Washington.

Washington was one of the most influential people in U.S. history. During the Revolutionary War, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Shortly after, he helped stabilize the new nation’s government by organizing the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

And, of course, he was elected as the first president of the United States.

To this day, Washington remains the only president to receive a unanimous vote from the Electoral College.

After two successful and precedent-setting terms in office, he voluntarily stepped down from office, setting the rule presidents can serve only two terms – this was only broken only by Franklin Delano Roosevelt – and was later made into a Constitutional Amendment. Because of Washington’s many accomplishments, the nation has celebrated Presidents Day in his honor since his death.

The holiday was originally celebrated annually Feb. 22, the day of Washington’s birth, but was moved in 1971 to the third Monday in February. Shortly after that change, it became popularly viewed as a celebration of all presidents, not just Washington.

Since Presidents Day is now celebrated on the third Monday in February, it lands right in the middle of the birth month of four different presidents – George Washington, William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.

Each president made different important contributions to the nation. Washington was a founding father. Harrison, who had the shortest presidency in history, is known for victories at the Battle of Tippecanoe and Battle of Thames during the War of 1812. Lincoln will be forever remembered for his Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation. Reagan’s accomplishments include ending the Cold War. Each of these presidents accomplished amazing things, and they deserve to be remembered.

This year, Presidents Day is Feb. 16. While you are out enjoying President’s Day sales, take a moment to appreciate more than just the great deals you get at the mall, appreciate the accomplishments our nation’s presidents made throughout the years. This country would be nothing like it is today without the work of our great presidents like Washington.

At least one day out of the year, they deserve to be remembered.