Presidents’ Day Celebrations – Monday, February 19th
In 1880, George Washington birthday* (February 22nd), 81 years after his death, was first celebrated in Washington, DC. Five years later, federal offices began to observe the holiday and close offices. In 1971, Washington’s birthday was officially recognized as a national holiday and was moved to the 3rd Monday in February.
Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12th) was also celebrated, but was never a legal national holiday.
Various observances and parades are planned for Presidents’ Day - February 19th.
George Washington’s Mt. Vernon
An official wreath laying ceremony will be held at Washington’s tomb at 10:00 a.m. Immediately afterwards, a Revolutionary War mock battle, as well as General Washington and a fife and drum corps. The grounds around of the tomb are small so getting close to the tomb to watch the ceremony may be difficult.
At 1:30 p.m., the fife and drum corps will march around the Mt. Vernon grounds with General Washington reviewing.
Tickets for Mt. Vernon - Adults $13.00, Seniors $1.00 off, Kids 6 -11 with an adult $6.00, 5 and under free.
Metro - Take the Metro subway on the Yellow line to the Huntington station and catch a Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.
Lincoln Memorial Ceremony
A reading of the Gettysburg Address and wreath laying ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial at noon.
Lincoln Memorial
23rd & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Wreath Laying Ceremony at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution in Old Town Alexandria
Colonial militia and Old Town Alexandria citizens honor Soldiers of the Revolutionary War at 11:00 a.m. at the courtyard behind the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.
Old Presbyterian Meeting House
321 South Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria
The nation’s largest George Washington birthday parade starts at 1:00 p.m. (until 3:00 p.m.). The parade Route - South Saint Asaph Street to Queen Street, to Royal Street, to King Street to Fairfax Street, to Gibbon Street.
* Washington’s actual birthday was February 11th, 1731, but after the British changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calander in 1752, his birthday retroactively changed to February 22nd.
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