Is Target open on Presidents Day

If Target is your go-to for everything for your home, from pet food and paper towels to pillowcases, you want to know if Target is open on Presidents Day, which this year is Monday, February 16.

Maybe you're lucky enough to have a day off and are planning to do errands that you didn't get to over the weekend.

Presidents' Day, which is officially called Washington's Birthday, is observed on the third Monday in February under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. The congressional act moved several federal holidays to Mondays to create long weekends for many American workers.

Americans now refer to this federal holiday as Presidents' Day, but no matter what you call it, it is a day off from work for people who work in most government jobs, in schools, and in banks.

These days, Presidents' Day is not associated with cultural celebrations such as fireworks shows or parades, but it is known as a discount day for retailers — and that means people who work in retail do not have the day off.

Since January and February are slow months for retailers, following the post-Christmas holiday shopping rush, many retailers use Presidents' Day promotions as a way to increase store traffic.

Target is open on Presidents' Day and has plenty of sales to get shoppers out during this sleepy time of year for retailers.

Target is open on Presidents' Day

Target will be open for its usual hours on Presidents' Day, opening at 8:00 AM and closing at 10 PM. Target generally only closes two days a year:

• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

The history of Presidents' Day

Some states still refer to the February holiday as Washington's Birthday, since it was originally a celebration of the first American president, whose birthday was February 22. The celebration evolved to include Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday was February 12.

Related: Is Costco open on Presidents Day?

Congress never officially changed the name, according to the National Archives and it is retailers like Target who unofficially dubbed the holiday Presidents Day.

What is closed on Presidents' Day?

The following are typically closed on Presidents' Day:

• Public schools
• Banks
• U.S. Post Office branches
• Local government offices
• State government offices
• Federal government offices
• The U.S. equities markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq
• Many non-retail privately owned businesses

What is open on Presidents' Day?

In addition to Target, most retailers, including Costco, Trader Joe's, and Kroger, remain open on Monday. Most restaurant chains — including Jack in the Box, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Olive Garden, Chili's, Wendy's and Chick-fil-A — also operate regular hours.

If you're looking for something do outside, Presidents' Day is the day to head to a nearby national park since they offer free admission on Presidents' Day, as do some state park systems, including Florida's State Parks.

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