ESL Lesson:
Welcome to our exploration of Presidents’ Day, a significant holiday in the United States commemorating the leadership and achievements of its presidents, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. This section will help you understand why and how this holiday is celebrated, enhancing your grasp of U.S. culture and history.
The United States has at least one holiday in every month except August. On the third Monday of February, Americans celebrate the birthday of two former presidents. They are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. You may have heard of them. They were both famous U.S. presidents and they both have birthdays in February. Even though they are different days, we celebrate both of them on the same day.
Vocabulary
- to elect – to choose by voting*
- unanimous – everybody agreed, nobody disagreed
- vote* – when something is chosen by everyone writing their choice on a piece of paper or raising their hands. The choices are counted to see who or what will win.
- referred to – called
- Constitution – the paper that has the laws of a country written on it
- to chop – to cut by striking (hitting) with something
- to encourage – to help someone to follow something
- slavery – when someone owns another person
- civil war – a war where the people of one country
- equal – same
- assassinated – killed
George Washington was born February 22, 1732. He was the first president of the United States, elected by unanimous vote in 1789. He is sometimes referred to as The Father of Our Country. He was one of the people who fought in the Revolutionary War and later helped write the the United States Constitution. There is a famous story about George Washington when was a young boy. It says that he chopped down his father’s cherry tree with an ax. When his father asked, “Who did this?” young George replied “I cannot tell a lie. I did it.” Many children have heard this story and are encouraged to always tell the truth.
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. He became president in 1860. His presidency was difficult. The states in the north and the south were divided because of slavery. White people in the south owned black people. The north did not like it. A civil war began between the two sides. In the end, the northern states won and President Lincoln helped to free the slaves. He gave a very famous speech about how everybody had the right to be free and how all people were equal. After the civil war, Abraham Lincoln went to see a play. While he was there, he was assassinated.
Both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were very famous presidents in the United States. Today you can see their faces on American money. George Washington is on the one dollar bill and Abraham Lincoln in on the five dollar bill. Many schools and some cities are named after each president. And the State of Washington and Washington D.C. were both named after President Washington.
Practice Quiz on Presidents’ Day
To test your knowledge, try answering these eight questions:
Answer the questions with True or False.
Check your answers below, after you’ve completed the practice quiz.
1. President’s Day is on the third Tuesday of every February.
True or False
2. Everybody wanted George Washington to be president.
True or False
3. George Washington fought in the civil war.
True or False
4. George Washington chopped down an apple tree.
True or False
5. Abraham Lincoln became president in 1809.
True or False
6. Abraham Lincoln believed black people and white people should be equal.
True or False
7. Someone killed Abraham Lincoln.
True or False
8. You can see Abraham Lincoln’s face on a U.S. one dollar bill.
True or False
This quiz will help solidify your understanding of how Presidents’ Day fits into U.S. culture and government structure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Presidents’ Day
Presidents’ Day is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. It honors all U.S. presidents, particularly George Washington, the nation’s first president, and Abraham Lincoln.
The holiday was originally established in 1885 to recognize President George Washington’s birthday (February 22) but has since evolved to honor all past U.S. presidents, emphasizing the presidency as an institution.
Celebrations include patriotic and historical activities. Schools and communities often hold educational events about the presidents, and various sales are common in retail stores as part of the holiday tradition.
Yes, Presidents’ Day is a federal public holiday in the United States. Government offices, schools, and many businesses are closed. Public transit may operate on a reduced schedule.
Initially, it was a celebration of George Washington’s birthday. Over time, it merged with Lincoln’s birthday to honor both leaders, and eventually, it became a day to recognize all U.S. presidents.
Answer Key:
- False – It’s on the third Monday
- True
- False – the revolutionary war
- False – cherry tree
- False – it was 1860
- True
- True
- False – a 5 dollar bill