On Monday, February 21, we celebrate George Washington’s Birthday, a federal holiday. Interestingly, you often see different dates for his birthday. According to the National Archives, the calendar that was used at his birth, the Julian calendar, indicates that Washington was born on February 11, 1731. In 1752, Britain and all its colonies started using the Gregorian calendar, which meant Washington’s birthday was now February 22, 1732 – a change of a year and eleven days. In the late 1960s, it was decided to honor both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and it became Presidents’ Day to honor all presidents, past, and present, on the third Monday of February.
Even though it is a Federal holiday, states do not have to observe it and states can call it whatever they would like to call the holiday. The name ranges from President’s Day to Presidents’ Day to Washington and Lincoln Day to George Washington/Thomas Jefferson Birthday to George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day as well as a couple of other names. Click here to see what each state calls the third Monday in February and which states do not observe the holiday.
The US Post Office will be closed and there will be no mail delivery on Monday, February 21. Most banks, as well as some schools, will also be closed. ATM machines, of course, will still be available for you to get cash or make deposits into your accounts.
In addition, the following will be open or closed:
Town of Seabrook Island Offices will be closed all day on Monday, February 21.
SIPOA Offices will remain open.
Harris Teeter will be open.
Vincent’s Drug Store will be open for the holiday. Please note that until further notice, Vincent’s Drug Store will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. They are closed on Sundays.
Post and Computer Center will be open.
The Lake House will be open.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image Credit: clipartmax.com)