Politics & Government
When is Presidents’ Day 2013? What’s Open, What’s Closed in Urbandale?
Presidents' Day, always observed on the third Monday in February, falls on Feb. 18 this year. Just who are we celebrating?
Perhaps never in the history of U.S. holidays has one been so convoluted as Presidents’ Day, which will be observed Monday, Feb. 18.
In some other places, the holiday is called George Washington’s Birthday – which actually isn’t until Feb. 22, but is celebrated on the third Monday of February due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, congressional tinkering that set the stage for all the confusion in the first place.
The father of our country would’ve been 279 this year, if you’re keeping track. And they are in Virginia, where the hoiday has always been George Washington’s Birthday.
Abraham Lincoln "sort of" has his own holiday. Lincoln's Birthday – Feb. 12, 1809 – is celebrated in Illinois, where he was born, and Connecticut, Missouri and New Jersey. It's a floating holiday for state of New York employees covered by union agreemens.
Some say the holiday honors Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday isn’t on Feb. 18, either. Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809.
Some states have taken a one-size-fits-all approach to the holiday:
In Massachusetts, Presidents Day honors John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge and John Kennedy, all of whom hailed from the state.
In Virginia, it’s George Washington’s Birthday. Always has been, always will be.
In Alabama, George Washington shares the day with Thomas Jefferson. He was born in April, on the 13th in 1743. They also celebrate Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis’s birthday on June 3 in Alabama.
Others view the day as honoring all presidents, past and present.
So whether you’re honoring President Washington or President Obama and everyone in between, here’s what’s open and what’s closed in Urbandale and around the area:
Federal government offices are closed, but state of Iowa and Polk County offices are open.
There will be no mail delivery.
Most, but not all banks, will be closed, according to the Iowa Bankers Association. Call ahead.
Urbandale Community Schools will be closed for professional development.
The Urbandale Public Library will be closed, but online resources are still available.
Most businesses will be open and many will offer special Presidents’ Day sales and promotions.
Presidents’ Day is a holiday for Patch.com.
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