Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Although George Washington wasn't big on celebrating his birthday (he usually spent the day working), a grateful nation informally observed the occasion both while he was alive and following his death in 1799. Americans took time personally to remember the Father of His Country every February 22 and especially toasted the centennial of his birth in 1832, as well as the Washington Monument's groundbreaking in 1848.

Eventually, lawmakers in D.C. got the idea to make Washington's birthday a holiday, the first time in United States history an individual was honored in this way. (It wasn't until the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 1983 that another American was celebrated with a federal holiday.) Senator Stephen Wallace Dorsey of Arkansas introduced the measure, and President Rutherford B. Hayes signed it into law on January 31, 1879.

According to the folks at Mount Vernon, the historic estate where the Commander of the Continental Army lived and died, every February 22 a member of the U.S. Senate takes to the floor to read Washington's Farewell Address to their assembled colleagues. It's a tradition that dates back to 1896 and, reminds us, the Mount Vernon website notes, "of a man whose patriotic spirit still inspires us to this day, particularly federal workers who uphold what he helped create."

Washington's Birthday continued unchanged for almost a century, until Congress, led by Representative Robert McClory of Illinois, proposed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The idea was to move several holidays to various Mondays throughout the year, giving workers a few three-day weekends off. The idea of adding more three-day weekends was popular enough that the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed Congress in 1968.

Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula announced that Presidents Day, Monday, February 16, 2026, will be observed as a public holiday in American Samoa.

All government offices will be closed, and normal operations will be suspended for the day. Employees of the American Samoa Government who are not required to perform essential services are excused from duty. Those whose services are required will receive holiday compensation in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Presidents Day is observed in recognition of the leadership, service, and contributions of the Presidents of the United States. Their policies, decisions, and governance have supported the development, welfare, and enduring relationship of the Territory of American Samoa with the United States.

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement about President’s Day.

“Happy Presidents Day! This year’s federal holiday is during America’s 250th year and honors a heritage spanning 47 U.S. presidents. Under federal law, the holiday is officially designated George Washington’s Birthday, giving special honor to the first President of the United States for his importance to the establishment of the new nation in the late 1700s.

“When he was inaugurated, there were no traditions to follow so his presidency created lasting protocol. In 1789, he issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation, calling for a national day for prayer and giving thanks. Then, in 1790, he gave a message to Congress that later became the tradition of the State of the Union address. He voluntarily left office after two terms, though he was in good health at 65 years old, setting each of those important precedents.

“President Abraham Lincoln also had a February birthday and is the other of the two great historic presidents associated most often with Presidents Day.

“In American Samoa, President Lyndon Johnson is the only President to set foot in our territory while in office, in 1966, and the Tropical Medical Center that has served our people since 1968 is named for him. President Dwight Eisenhower has a special place in our history for first appointing a Samoan Governor in 1956. 

“The President of the United States has enormous responsibility with a leadership role for 340 million people.  May God bless the United States and American Samoa!”

American Samoa joins the rest of the nation in observing Monday, Feb. 16 as President’s Day, and all ASG and federal offices will be closed that day.

In addition to ASG taking Monday off — local banks are also closed as well as several businesses. No word at press time on whether StarKist Samoa, the territory’s largest employer, is working Monday or not.

In observance of the holiday, Samoa News will not publish on President’s Day and our office will be closed. We will be back with you on Tuesday and breaking news will be available on our Facebook page.