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PRESIDENTS’ DAY VOCABULARY (ESL)

level: Intermediate (B1/B2)

Presidents' Day is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February. Originally honouring George Washington's birthday, it now celebrates all U.S. presidents. This exercise covers the related vocabulary.

READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!

Choose the best response to complete each sentence.

1. Presidents Day is an American holiday that is observed on the third Monday in February to (humble/honor) the birthdays of two great American presidents - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.✓

2. Because the name of the holiday is fairly (vague/vagrant), not all states focus on the same presidents. In Alabama, for instance, the day is known as "Washington and Jefferson Day".✓

3. The holiday isn't really about celebrating the presidents' birthdays. It's about remembering their (acclimations/accomplishments).✓

4. Schools in the USA use this time to (educate/emulate) students about American history, (especially/special) about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.✓

5. Presidents Day is also the day when many stores around the United States have big (sales/salespeople).✓

6. George Washington was a key figure in the (founding/footing) of the United States, as well as the country's first president.✓

7. Abraham Lincoln is (received/regarded) by many as being responsible for ending slavery in the United States.✓

8. George Washington died of natural (causes/way), while Abraham Lincoln was (assassinated/associated).✓

9. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, a document that helped to (abolish/admonish) slavery in the United States.✓

10. George Washington (led/lead) the American army to victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).✓

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Presidents' Day Conversation Questions 1. What do you know about George Washington or Abraham Lincoln? Why are they so significant in American history?
2. What qualities do you think make a great political leader?
3. Does your country have a holiday to honor important historical figures? Who is celebrated and why?
4. Which leader in world history do you most admire, and why?
5. Do you think it is important to teach children about national heroes? Why or why not?
6. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing leaders of countries today?

Did you know? Presidents' Day was originally established in 1885 to honor George Washington, whose birthday is February 22nd. It became informally known as "Presidents' Day" after a 1971 law moved it to the third Monday of February — a date that falls between Washington's birthday and Abraham Lincoln's (February 12th). Interestingly, the holiday has never been officially renamed at the federal level — it is still legally called Washington's Birthday.

The U.S. has had 46 presidents to date. George Washington is the only president to have been unanimously elected by the Electoral College — twice.