Fun facts about Presidents’ Day to brush up on American history

Whether your kids have the day off from school or not, it’s the perfect time to dive into some fascinating facts about this historic holiday. From its origins to unique trivia about past presidents, there’s plenty to explore. It might just spark some lively family discussions at the dinner table.

What is Presidents' Day?

Presidents' Day, officially known as Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February. It was established in 1879 to honor George Washington, the first president of the United States, and was originally observed on February 22, his actual birthday.

Over time, Presidents' Day evolved into a celebration of all U.S. presidents. However, this shift remains unofficial at the federal level. Some states honor additional leaders like Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February (February 12), while others focus solely on Washington.

Fun facts about Presidents' Day

1. It’s still officially Washington’s birthday While commonly called Presidents' Day, the federal government continues to recognize it as Washington’s Birthday. However, many states have adopted the name Presidents' Day to honor both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln or even all U.S. presidents.

2. It’s the first federal holiday to honor an individual Washington’s Birthday was the first federal holiday to honor an individual, setting a precedent later followed by Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

3. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act created the three-day weekend The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 shifted Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday of February to create more long weekends for workers, benefiting industries like travel and retail.

4. Lincoln’s birthday is celebrated separately in some states While Presidents' Day is often seen as a combination of Washington's and Lincoln’s birthdays, some states like Illinois, New York, and Connecticut still celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday separately on February 12.

5. It’s a favorite for retail promotions Presidents' Day sales, initially focused on cars and home goods, have expanded to include clothing, electronics, and more. It’s now one of the busiest shopping holidays of the year.

6. A holiday for presidential libraries and museums Many presidential libraries and museums hold special events or offer free admission on Presidents' Day.

7. George Washington’s birthday was a national celebration before he died Even before Washington’s passing in 1799, his birthday was celebrated nationally as a day of remembrance and admiration.

Fun facts about U.S. presidents

Want to wow your kids with presidential prowess? Here are some fascinating tidbits:

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George Washington (1789–1797)

• Washington remains the only president unanimously elected by the Electoral College in both his terms.

• Contrary to popular belief, his dentures weren’t made of wood—they were crafted from materials like ivory and even human teeth.

Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)

• Jefferson sold his personal library of 6,487 books to the U.S. government after the British burned the Library of Congress in 1814, forming its core collection.

• He designed his iconic home, Monticello, and was an accomplished inventor.

James Madison (1809–1817)

• At just 5’4”, Madison was the shortest U.S. president.

• He is known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Andrew Jackson (1829–1837)

• Jackson survived the first assassination attempt on a sitting president when both of the assailant's pistols misfired.

• After his inauguration, he hosted a wild public party at the White House, with crowds so large that furniture was damaged.

Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)

• Lincoln was the tallest U.S. president at 6’4”. His signature stovepipe hat often stored important documents.

• He is credited with establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863.

William Howard Taft (1909–1913)

• Taft was the only president to also serve as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, making him the only person to lead two branches of government.

• Taft loved baseball and was the first president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game in 1910.

Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921)

• Wilson was the first president to hold regular press conferences, though they were off the record.

• He kept a flock of sheep on the White House lawn during World War I to save money on landscaping by having the sheep graze the grass.

Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)

• The teddy bear got its name after Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub during a hunting trip.

• After being shot during a speech, Roosevelt delivered an hour-long address before seeking medical attention.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945)

• Roosevelt served four terms, the most of any U.S. president, leading to the 22nd Amendment, which limited presidents to two terms.

• He was paralyzed by polio but kept his condition largely hidden, often using braces and assistance to appear standing in public.

John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)

• Kennedy was the first Catholic president elected.

• He pioneered the modern televised press conference, revolutionizing presidential communication.

Barack Obama (2009–2017)

• Obama won two Grammy Awards for the audiobook versions of his memoirs.

• He worked at Baskin-Robbins as a teen but says the job ruined his taste for ice cream.

Presidential trivia

1. July 4th deaths Three presidents—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe—died on Independence Day. Adams and Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Fierce rivals, Adams’ last words were reportedly, “Jefferson survives,” not knowing Jefferson had died earlier that day. Monroe died on July 4, five years later. 

2. Shortest presidency William Henry Harrison holds the record for the shortest presidency—32 days. He gave the longest inaugural speech in U.S. history, lasting over two hours in freezing rain without a coat or hat. He died of pneumonia, which he is believed to have caught from exposure to the elements on his inauguration day. 

3. Non-consecutive terms Grover Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms as president. He’s also the only president to have a baby born in the White House—his daughter, Esther. Donald Trump became the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms when he took office in 2025.

4. The “silent” president Calvin Coolidge was nicknamed “Silent Cal” for his quiet demeanor. When a woman at a dinner bet she could get him to say more than two words, he replied, “You lose.”

5. Presidential pets U.S. Presidents have had some unusual pets. John Quincy Adams kept a pet alligator in the White House, William Henry Harrison had a pet goat, Whiskers, who was said to be a staff favorite, and Calvin Coolidge had a raccoon named Rebecca.

6. The lightbulb president Benjamin Harrison was the first president to install electricity in the White House. But he was so afraid of being electrocuted that he refused to touch the light switches.

7. The bully pulpit Theodore Roosevelt coined the term "bully pulpit" to describe the presidency, meaning a platform to advocate for an agenda. The word “bully” at the time meant “excellent” or “superb.”

8. Televised firsts

• Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to appear on television.

• John F. Kennedy hosted the first live televised press conference.

9. Youngest and oldest presidents to take office

• Youngest: Theodore Roosevelt, 42 years old

• Oldest: Donald Trump, inaugurated at 78 years old in his second term in 2025, breaking President Joe Biden’s record as oldest by a few months.

10. First president born an American citizen All presidents before Martin Van Buren were born as British subjects. Van Buren was the first president born after the Declaration of Independence, making him the first natural-born U.S. citizen to become president.

11. Fluent in 6+ languages Thomas Jefferson could speak six languages fluently, including Latin and Greek. He was known to practice his linguistic skills while horseback riding.

How to celebrate Presidents' Day with your family

1. Visit historic sites Explore presidential landmarks like Washington’s Mount Vernon, Lincoln’s birthplace, or the National Mall. Visiting national parks is another great way to immerse your family in history.

2. Dive into presidential books From picture books for young readers to biographies for teens, explore age-appropriate stories about U.S. presidents to spark curiosity.

3. Play presidential trivia Host a trivia night with fun facts about presidents and their achievements. You can even make it competitive by offering prizes!

4. Learn about currency Teach your kids about financial literacy while exploring the presidents featured on U.S. coins and bills. Did you know Washington is on the quarter, Lincoln is on the penny, and Jefferson is on the nickel?

Connecting history to learning

Presidents' Day is so much more than holiday sales and a day off. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn, connect as a family, and honor the legacy of American leaders. Whether through a fun trivia night, a visit to a historic site, or simply sharing these fun facts, make this Presidents' Day memorable and meaningful for your kids.

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