Historically, Presidents’ Day was celebrated to commemorate George Washington’s birthday in 1796 which was the last full year of his presidency. According to the calendar that had been used since at least the mid-18th century, Washington was born on February 22, 1732. But according to the old style calendar in use back then, however, he was born on February 11. At least in 1796, many Americans celebrated his birthday on the 22nd while others marked the occasion on the 11th instead.

By the early 19th century, Washington's birthday had taken firm root in the American experience as a bona fide national holiday. Its traditions included balls in various regions, speeches and receptions given by prominent public figures, and a lot of revelry in taverns throughout the land.

Then along came Abraham Lincoln, another revered president born on February 12th. The first formal observance of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in several states.

In 1968, legislation (HR 15951) was enacted that affected several federal holidays. One of these was Washington's Birthday, the observation of which was shifted to the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act, which took effect in 1971, was designed to simplify the yearly calendar of holidays and give federal employees some standard three-day weekends in the process.

While the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday (at least according to the Office of Personnel Management), it has become popularly known as "Presidents’ Day." The third Monday in February has therefore become day for honoring not only Washington and Lincoln but all the other men who have served as President of the United States.

And by the way, it is “Presidents’ Day” not “President’s Day”.