Remember when stores actually closed? Like, you couldn’t go shopping on Sunday or on holidays. That was a long time ago.

But President’s Day has always been a big sale day. Ever since there was a President’s Day, that is. When did President’s Day start? Gothamist has the answer:

Today is a federal holiday honoring the birthday of first president George Washington. Washington was actually born on February 22, but in 1971, the holiday was “shifted to the third Monday in February, by the Uniform Monday Act” (per Wikipedia). Given that Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is February 12, some state governments call the holiday “President’s Day.” And then the marketers got involved, making this day for sales as well and many presidents in one fell swoop.

Banks, financial markets, and the Post Office are closed. The subway is operating on a Sunday schedule. No garbage pick ups and school’s out ALL WEEK.

YIKES: what are the kids going to do this week. We’re thinking of getting out of town. What are you doing? Any good ideas out there?