Presidents’ Day is on the third Monday of Feb., originating as a federal holiday in 1879 to honor the birthday of the first president, George Washington. The date later changed to a Monday in 1971 in order to make it a longer weekend, often associated with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, which is on Feb. 12.
While the holiday began with the celebration of George Washington, it has evolved into a holiday to honor all of the U.S. presidents. The Uniform Monday Act of 1971 was the name of the act which moved the holiday to a Monday ensuring a long weekend.
Since it is a federal holiday places such as offices, banks and the post office are closed. Although the holiday is commonly referred to as President’s Day, the federal law recognizes it as Washington’s Birthday. As the years have progressed this holiday has been commonly associated with retail sales, encouraging people to go out shopping.
The students and teachers of Aliso are looking forward to getting a long weekend break, starting with a minimum day on Thursday; lasting from Friday Feb. 13 to Monday Feb. 16 and going back to school on Feb. 17. Aliso is already buzzing with plans for the four day weekend.
Ansh Sharma (12) says, “I am going to two back to back birthday parties on the thirteenth and the fourteenth.”
The students of Aliso have a very diverse mix of plans with some people going to parties, others going on trips and some people who are simply doing “nothing.”
Cassidy Lynnleigh (9) says, “We are going to Palm Springs.”
Sun Roellich (10) said, “I’m planning to go to San Francisco or San Diego. Have a road trip with my mom and just chill and see the ocean.”
Sadie Knudson (10) says, “I’m going out to my Palm Springs house with my boyfriend and we are going to do some activities.”
Iva Kohmenko (10) said, “I will take this moment to study, prepare for my AP exam and hang out with Victoria Vasquez.”
Sanaa Rishi (11) says, “I was just going to hang out with my friends and probably clean my room.”
Angela Li (9), Ariana Jourabchian (9) and Lola Duncan (9) say, “Eat, sleep, have fun.”
Robyn Cadieux (10) says, “For President’s Day weekend I’m just going to the beach, take some more sleep in and just chill.”
Nishka Harish (10) said, “I’m having a Valentine’s Day with my friends, relaxing and doing homework.”
Sydney Chan (10) said, “Studying and catching up on some reading.”
Molly Lyons (10) says, “Nothing.”
The students of Aliso are taking this weekend to wind down and relax from their hectic lives as high school students. On the other hand Ms. Zhou, a chemistry teacher at Aliso, does not have a break just yet.
Ms. Zhou says, “I am the head coach of Science Olympiad and the competition is on Valentine’s Day. So I will be at UCI at six in the morning, staking out our spot until around eight o’clock. Then afterwards, I’ll just be sleeping for the next two days.”
Many students overlook the true meaning behind President’s Day, only seeing it as a break from school. It is important that people remember why the holiday came about while still enjoying the time to relax.
