Are Colleges Closed on Presidents Day? A Comprehensive Overview
Presidents Day, officially Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday observed annually on the third Monday of February. This holiday, established in 1879, has evolved to honor all previous U.S. presidents, with a focus on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. While many institutions and businesses close in observance of the holiday, the status of colleges varies.
The Evolution of Presidents Day
The federal holiday is technically named Washington's Birthday. It was shifted from Washington's actual birthday on February 22nd by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create a three-day weekend. The name Presidents Day became more widely recognized after this shift in 1968. While the federal government recognizes the holiday as Washington's Birthday, each state decides how to treat the day, with some celebrating just Washington and others combining it into Presidents Day to honor all previous presidents.
College and University Policies
It's common for Presidents' Day to be a normal day of classes for most colleges and universities. While many universities close on the holiday, it's not a universal policy and students should check with their institutions to confirm. This is unlike the situation in many high schools and middle schools, where Presidents' Day might be a day off. Every school is different and some may observe the holiday, so the specifics can vary.
To determine whether a specific college or university is closed on Presidents Day, it is best to consult the institution's academic calendar. You could check your university's academic calendar to find information about any scheduled breaks or holidays--this would give you the most accurate information. However, this does not apply to all colleges and universities, so it is always best to check your specific institution's calendar.
Presidents Day as a Federal Holiday
Presidents Day is a federal holiday, meaning that federal offices will be closed and some services will be unavailable on the day. Government employees are off. Banks, post offices, government offices and the stock market will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16. Postal Service post offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. USPS offices will reopen on Feb. bond markets will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of the holiday.
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State Observances
Each state decides how to treat the day. Some celebrate just Washington, but others combine it into Presidents Day and honor all previous presidents. Illinois, Lincoln's home state, treats Feb. 12 as a state holiday. A few other states, like Colorado, combine it with Presidents Day or call it Washington-Lincoln Day. According to the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, there are 10 paid holidays for state agencies.
What Remains Open?
Grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores are more likely to be open. National grocery stores will be open on the holiday but shoppers should double check their local businesses. Walmart, Aldi, Target, Whole Foods and Costco will be operating during regular business hours.
Presidents Day Sales
Additionally, retail stores often take advantage of the holiday by running Presidents Day sales, making it a popular time for shopping discounts. The federal holiday if often marked by a weekend of huge shopping deals.
Other Federal Holidays
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026. Office of Personnel Management, 2026 holidays are:
- Thursday, Jan. 1: New Year's Day
- Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday
- Monday, Feb. 16: Washington's birthday
- Monday, May 25: Memorial Day
- Friday, June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 3: Independence Day
- Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day
- Monday, Oct. 12: Columbus Day
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day
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