Following is a list of all eleven of our United States Holidays, as designated by our federal government.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

Martin Luther King’s Birthday, 3rd Monday in January

President’s Day, 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day, Last Monday in May

Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19

Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, 1st Monday in September

Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October

Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

Last week, on Monday, February 17th, we celebrated our annual President’s Day.

Let me now briefly review some additional information about this holiday to honor President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln. Presidents Day was originally recognized on Washington’s Birthday to honor America’s first president, George Washington.

His actual birthday is February 22. This federal holiday was later expanded to also commemorate President Abraham Lincoln, who was also born during the month of February, on Feb.12.

Historically, Washington’s Birthday was the first federal holiday created to honor the birth date of an individual who made very substantial contributions to our great nation.

In 1885, Congress designated George Washington’s birth date, February 22, as a holiday for all federal workers.

Nearly a century later, in 1971, the date of this holiday was changed to the third Monday in February. The reason for this change was to position this holiday date midway between the birth dates of George Washington on February 22, and Abraham Lincoln on Feb.12.

The official name of this holiday in honor of these two Presidents was then changed to what it remains today, as our annual President’s Day.

Further, they chose to have this holiday always be on a Monday, so it could become part of a three day weekend.

Of course, many of our past Presidents have made numerous contributions to the ongoing success of our great nation.

t is very appropriate to recognize these many contributions and to show proper respect for those who have properly and unselfishly served our great nation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books.Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.