The federal holiday popularly known as President’s Day started as a celebration of President George Washington's Birthday.

And it still is in the record books.

According to a C-SPAN Presidential Rankings Survey, many Americans use the day to celebrate our two most popular presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

But per a posting in the National Archives, the official name of the holiday is not what many think:

"Contrary to popular belief," it reads, "neither Congress nor the president has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington's Birthday be changed to President's Day."

The holiday started taking shape officially on February 22 in the 1800s. In 1832, Congress adjourned for the first time in recognition of the holiday.

Lawmakers made it an official day off for federal employees working in the District of Columbia in 1879.

In 1885, the law was changed to include all federal employees throughout the country.

Fast forward to 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law when certain federal holidays are observed annually on Mondays.

Holidays include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Washington's Birthday.

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It’s recently been a topic of debate. Leaders in Washington's home state of Virginia have asked to move the holiday back to its original date, Feb. 22.

But even that suggestion is complicated. President Washington was actually born when the colonies still used the Julian calendar.

Again, according to the National Archives, his birthday would've been Feb. 11, 1731. That historic date was changed to Feb. 22, 1732 with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the one we use today.

So Monday was not officially President’s Day -- but we hope you enjoyed it anyways.