Every February, as the chill of winter starts to hint at spring, folks across the United States look forward to one of the most welcome respite holidays of the winter: President’s Day. For many, it’s a great President’s Day weekend filled with sales, time off work, and, we hope for students, conversations about the leaders who helped shape America. But beyond the retail buzz and long weekend plans, there’s a fascinating story behind how this holiday came to be—and why it’s a perfect occasion for sending President’s Day greetings and, of course, President’s Day ecards.

The origin of President’s Day goes back more than a century. Originally, Americans celebrated George Washington’s Birthday on February 22 as a federal holiday starting in the late 1800s, making Washington one of the first U.S. figures to receive a nationwide day of recognition. Meanwhile, Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday on February 12 gained popularity, particularly in some states, as a way to honor the man who preserved the Union and led the country through its most challenging era. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

In the late 1960s, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act with the idea of creating more predictable, long weekends for workers. This act shifted several holidays, including Washington’s Birthday, to a Monday observance—specifically the third Monday in February. While the law technically kept the federal holiday’s official name as “Washington’s Birthday,” its placement between Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays inspired a popular, broader interpretation. Voila: President’s Day was born as the public and retailers began to use that name to honor both iconic presidents and, increasingly, all U.S. presidents. (Wikipedia)

President’s Day has grown beyond its historical roots to become an opportunity for reflection on American leadership and civic life. From school lessons on the contributions of past presidents to public ceremonies in Washington, D.C., the day quietly underscores how the nation’s leaders have shaped its course. For most Americans however, the weekend and the day is an oopportunity to relax and be with friends and family in the middle of the winter’s onslaught.

That’s where President’s Day ecards come in. Over at Doozy Cards, we’ve created a collection of fun, thoughtful, animated eCards that tap right into the spirit of relaxation and happiness that gets its chance to appear during the holiday off. Whether you want to send a laugh, share an upbeat historical homage, or simply brighten someone’s inbox, there’s something for everyone. On our President’s Day ecard page, you’ll find everything from musical and animated favorites to talking cards featuring playful portrayals of presidents great and small. (Doozy Cards)