Presidents’ Day: Two and a Half Centuries of Leadership—and the Limits That Sustain It

This year, Louisianans observe two holidays on the same day—celebrating Lundi Gras with their communities and Presidents’ Day with the rest of the nation. While the traditions and festivities of Carnival season should be enjoyed, the history and significance of Presidents’ Day should not be overlooked.

Presidents’ Day was first established to honor the birthday of George Washington on February 22—a tribute to the man whose leadership helped secure independence and whose restraint helped define the presidency itself. For generations, Americans observed the day on his actual birthday in recognition of his singular role in the nation’s founding.

In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act went into effect, moving several federal holidays, including Washington’s Birthday, to designated Mondays. Over time, the observance became popularly known as “Presidents’ Day,” broadening its focus to include all who have served in the office, though it remains officially “Washington’s Birthday” at the federal level.

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, this holiday invites not only historical reflection but renewed attention to the constitutional design that shapes and limits presidential power. The American experiment depends on constitutional limits, fiscal restraint, and respect for our system of federalism. It depends on leaders who recognize that their authority is derived from, and constrained by, the Constitution and its design. And it depends on citizens who understand that liberty is preserved not through centralized control, but through ordered self-government.

As we look back on the presidency, it’s worth remembering that lasting policy success rests on maintaining the proper balance between federal and state authority. The president leads on matters of national concern, like foreign policy, national defense, and interstate issues, while state and local governments address the more particular needs of their communities. It’s at these closer levels of government where civic engagement is most direct and accountability most immediate. Great American presidents like Washington and Ronald Reagan are remembered for resisting the temptation to expand central power. Washington set an early precedent for executive restraint by voluntarily stepping down after two terms, while Reagan championed “New Federalism,” advocating a return of authority and policy discretion back to the states.

In every generation, there is a temptation to look to a single office, a single branch, or a single level of government for sweeping solutions. The wisdom of the Founders suggests otherwise. Freedom is most secure when power is divided, balanced, and held accountable because, as James Madison wrote in Federalist 48, “power is of an encroaching nature.”

Thomas Jefferson likewise warned that “the natural progress of things is for the government to gain ground and for liberty to yield.” Government must therefore be restrained in size and scope to avoid becoming overly burdensome and costly for citizens. One of the most effective ways to constrain government growth is to limit its spending. When spending consistently exceeds revenues and debt mounts from generation to generation, the burden shifts to future citizens who had no voice in those decisions. Persistent deficits invite greater centralization, as fiscal crises often become justification for expanded federal or state control. In this way, financial imprudence can weaken federalism and blur constitutional boundaries. 

Having experienced the burdens of personal debt firsthand, Jefferson understood the danger financial instability poses to investment, innovation, and long-term growth. As president, he applied these lessons at the national level by reducing federal spending, lowering taxes, and prioritizing repayment of the national debt.  In doing so, he set an early example of fiscal restraint for the country. 

Presidents’ Day reminds us that leadership committed to the Constitution and its ideals matters. The endurance of the American experiment over nearly two and a half centuries is no accident. It is the product of a deliberate design—one that continues to require vigilance, humility, and a renewed commitment to the principles of limited government.