Published on Monday, February 16, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The U.S. Embassy and its Consular Section in Pavas, San José, are closed on Monday in observance of Presidents' Day.

The embassy will reopen Tuesday, Feb. 17, and resume public hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Presidents' Day, observed on the third Monday of February, recognizes the birth months of two of the nation’s most prominent leaders,  George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The holiday has since evolved to honor the birthdays and legacies of all U.S. presidents.

Across the United States, Presidents' Day is typically observed with public ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and other cities. While federal offices close for the holiday, many retailers promote special sales events.

 

The origins of Presidents' Day date back to the 1880s, when Washington’s birthday, which is February 22, 1732, was first observed as a federal holiday.

At the time, Washington was widely revered as one of the most significant figures in American history. National celebrations accompanied milestones such as the 1832 centennial of his birth and the 1848 start of construction on the Washington Monument.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, shifting several federal holidays to Mondays to create extended weekends for workers. The measure faced opposition from some lawmakers and citizens who argued that holidays should be observed on their actual commemorative dates.


During congressional debate, lawmakers considered renaming Washington’s Birthday as Presidents Day to honor both Washington and Lincoln, who was born Feb. 12, 1809. Although Lincoln’s birthday was recognized in many states, it was never established as a federal holiday. Congress ultimately rejected the proposed name change.

After the law took effect in 1971, however, Presidents' Day became the commonly used name, in part because of its proximity to Lincoln’s birthday and its adoption by retailers promoting holiday sales.

One of the most recognized monuments honoring former U.S. presidents is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located in the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota.

The massive sculpture, carved into granite, features 60-foot-tall depictions of Washington, Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum designed and supervised the project from 1927 to 1941.

In related topics, the U.S. Embassy is now accepting applications from Costa Ricans interested in studying in the United States through the Fulbright Program.

U.S. Ambassador Melinda Hildebrand formally assumed her duties in January after presenting her letters of credence to President Rodrigo Chaves.

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