US Presidents Day

President's Day History

United States Presidents Day honours the Americas leaders, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the 1st and 16th presidents respectively. The celebration is widely recognised for its educational importance, encouraging citizens to reflect on the nation's history and the significant contributions of past presidents. It is also a significant retail event, as businesses utilise the holiday to promote sales and special deals.

The origins of Presidents Day can be traced back to 1800, following the death of George Washington in 1799. Initially only commemorating Washington's contribution, it gradually expanded to celebrate all presidents, with a specific inclusion of Lincoln, who was also born in February. For Australians, the day may hold some appeal due to its similarity to Australia Day, where national leaders are also honoured, and the public reflects upon history and identity. Moreover, Presidents Day often sparks discussions about leadership and democracy, topics that resonate beyond the confines of the United States, and could be meaningful to Australians as well.

In Australia, Presidents Day is not officially observed as a public holiday. For the expatriate and academic community, however, the day is recognised and often marked with discussions or parties. Some businesses may also exploit the American retail aspect of Presidents Day, offering special promotions or sales to customers.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 US Presidents Day in Australia

• Long before he became the 31st leader of the United States, Herbert Hoover spent a pivotal year in the outback as the manager of the Sons of Gwalia gold mine near Leonora in Western Australia, where he even designed the red-brick manager's house that still stands today as a museum.
• During World War II, Lyndon B. Johnson was stationed in Townsville, Queensland, an experience that fostered a lifelong affection for the country and eventually led to him becoming the first sitting American president to visit Australia in 1966.
• The official name of the upcoming observance remains Washington's Birthday at the federal level, as a 1968 proposal to legally rename it Presidents Day under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was actually rejected by the American Congress.
• George Washington technically has two birthdays because he was born while the British Empire still used the Julian calendar, meaning his original birth date was 11 February 1731 rather than the 22 February date recognized after the 1752 switch to the Gregorian calendar.
• A long-standing tradition in the United States Senate involves a member of the chamber performing a complete public reading of Washington's 7,641-word Farewell Address to commemorate the occasion.
• The first seven individuals to hold the office of the presidency were not technically natural-born citizens of the United States, as they were all born as British subjects before the colonies achieved independence in 1776.
• During the historic 1966 presidential tour, Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt famously declared the nation's support for the alliance with the catchphrase All the way with LBJ, a slogan that has since become a fixture of Australian political history.
• To celebrate the first-ever visit by an American president to Sydney, local officials and citizens once used the festive, era-specific slogan Make Sydney Gay for LBJ to welcome the motorcade as it travelled down Oxford Street.
• The shift of the holiday to a Monday was largely influenced by corporate interests and the National Association of Travel Organizations, who lobbied for a system of predictable long weekends to increase consumer spending and domestic tourism.

In the News and Trending in Australia for US Presidents Day

Top things to do in Australia for US Presidents Day

• Go shopping for a car. Presidents day weekend typically features some of the best car deals of the year as dealers try to clear out prior-year inventory.
• Read Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and reflect on his contributions to the United States.
• Read a book to learn more about Presidents Day:
  Australia's American Alliance - by Peter Dean, Stephan Fruhling, Brendan Taylor: A comprehensive analysis of the strategic and political importance of the Australian-American alliance.
  Fighting with America: Why Saying No to the US Wouldn't Rupture the Alliance - by Peter Edwards: This book analyses the delicate balance Australia maintains between loyalty and independence in its relationship with the USA.
• What are some popular things to do or places to see for Presidents Day in Australia?
  Presidents Day is not celebrated in Australia as it is an American holiday honoring all U.S. presidents, but especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In Australia, some equivalent public holidays or events that are celebrated include Australia Day in January, ANZAC Day in April, and Queen's Birthday in June. These might involve public ceremonies, parades, festivals, and sporting events. However, if you're visiting Australia from the US during Presidents Day, you can enjoy a myriad of activities such as exploring the Sydney Opera House, visiting the Great Barrier Reef, experiencing the wildlife at the Australian Zoo, or climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.