Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Presidents' Day arrives on Monday, as many people will get a chance to enjoy the day off from work in recognition for the federal holiday.
Every year, the third Monday of February is designated for Presidents' Day, which was originally created in 1885 to honor the nation's first President of the United States, George Washington. It only started to be called "Presidents' Day" when it became part of 1971's Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which was enacted to create more three-day weekends for workers across the country.
While it has been viewed as a day of celebration of U.S. Presidents past and present, some people have questioned the sanctity of the presidency, and whether or not people can separate the office from the person holding the office.
Meanwhile, we're one week past Super Bowl LVI being played out, with the Los Angeles Rams winning their second Super Bowl in franchise history over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Shortly after the Bengals clinched their spot in the Super Bowl with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, Cincinnati Public Schools announced that all classes would be canceled on Monday, Feb. 14 in preparation for the city's first potential Super Bowl championship.
This decision added to discussions that have been ongoing for some time now on whether or not the Monday after the Super Bowl should be a day off for people across the country. The Super Bowl is always one of the most-watched events of the year, and with the event going prime-time and well into the evening hours on Sunday, it may lead to some sluggish times on the following day.
So what day would people rather have off from work in the month of February: Presidents' Day or the day after the Super Bowl?
Obviously, there were plenty of people that would like to have both days off from work. However, when talking to people for their take, it seemed like an even split of people between taking Presidents' Day off, or having the day after the Super Bowl off.
"Either one is really fine. It doesn't really matter. As long as we get a day off," said Janet. "Presidents' Day is fine, and if the Bills are in the Super Bowl, maybe after that. Otherwise, it doesn't really matter, because I don't care."
"As long as the the teams that are playing; I mean, if it's a good Super Bowl, I wouldn't mind having the day off after the Super Bowl," said Janet's husband, Bob. "But I think technically all the way around, I'd rather have Presidents' Day off."
For others, Presidents' Day is a day that many are just used to having off from work, which is a nice convenience when kids are off from school or when some people just need a day off. Others genuinely just don't care too much about the Super Bowl, so they would rather take a day like Presidents' Day off.
However, many people, especially those who are avid football fans, make the argument that the Super Bowl should be recognized almost as a national holiday.
"Everyone watches the Super Bowl, everyone's usually partaking a little bit," argued Andrew. "Don't want to wake up for work the next day. The day after the Super Bowl should absolutely be a day off from work."
"Well, I'm retired, so I got both of them off. But if I had to choose, I will take the day after the Super Bowl... for obvious reasons, to recoup," said Tim.
There are some people, like Brad, who have the mindset of changing the weekend of the Super Bowl to the same weekend as Presidents' Day, to allow people to get a chance to rest and recover from the night before but also recognize the holiday.
So how much does the Presidents' Day holiday still resonate with people? For some growing up, it was a holiday that was, in some ways, ingrained in people to take note of the history of the presidency in the United States. While for others, it did not sit much with them, only meaning it was a day off from school or from work.
"Well, it's ingrained to celebrate, but I am a patriot. So I think it's really cool that we celebrate Presidents' Day. We should," said Tina.
"It's not a big like, 'Oh yeah, the Presidents!' No. But it's just a day that we've always had off," Janet said. "A nice break in February."
While maybe Presidents' Day doesn't have the significance it once did years ago, some believe it still deserves the recognition for all the Presidents that helped build up the United States to what it is today.
"Regardless of your political opinion and where you stand politically, every President is the President no matter what, and they deserve to be recognized for that. It's a big job," said Jasmine.
So which day would you rather have off from work? Feel free to vote and comment on the Twitter poll below:
