“Decoding the Controversy: What’s the Real Story Behind Presidents Day’s Puzzling Possessives?”

Happy Presidents’ Day! Or is it President’s Day? Or maybe even Presidents Day? Just think about it—what you call this day of celebration shifts based on where you’re at, who you’re paying tribute to, and your personal take on the festivities. It’s like a game of linguistic dodgeball, where every variation tries to find its way into the hearts (and calendars) of Americans everywhere. Born from the birthdays of historical titans like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, this holiday has become a patchwork of states’ rights and grammar debates—an amusing mix that keeps us all scratching our heads. So, whether you’re donning a tri-corner hat, binge-watching presidential biographies, or just enjoying a day off, let’s unravel the delightful confusion that surrounds Presidents’/President’s/Presidents Day! LEARN MORE.

Happy Presidents’ Day! Or is it President’s Day? Or Presidents Day? What you call the national holiday depends on where you are, who you’re honoring, and how you think we’re celebrating.

1. The Confusion Around the Phrase Presidents Day
2. Presidents Day in Individual States
3. What Style and Grammar Guides Say

The Confusion Around the Phrase Presidents Day

Saying “President’s Day” implies that the day belongs to a singular president, such as George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, whose birthdays are the basis for the holiday.

On the other hand, referring to it as “Presidents’ Day” means that the day belongs to all of the presidents—that it’s their day collectively.

Finally, calling the day “Presidents Day”—plural with no apostrophe—would indicate that we’re honoring all POTUSes past and present (yes, even Andrew Johnson), but that no one president actually owns the day.