Lovers at Delta were at least a little bit luckier for Valentine’s Day, as Delta was closed for Feb. 14. The holiday celebrated that Friday though, was for Delta’s Lincoln Day Observance.
There’s only one February holiday recognized by both the state of California and the federal government however, President’s Day which occurs on the third Monday of every February.
This holiday was also celebrated by Delta on Feb. 17 for its Washington Day Observance.
So what gives that Delta observes two for February? Furthermore, why did Delta celebrate Lincoln Day on Feb. 14 this year, when states like New York or Illinois celebrate their holiday on the exact date of Lincoln’s birth on Feb. 12?
According to Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler, Delta observes Washington Day every third Monday of February, and Lincoln Day the preceding Friday to every Washington Day Observance.
The intent is to create an extended weekend for Delta students and employees, which would be why Delta observed Lincoln Day on Feb. 14 rather than its traditional date on the Feb. 12.
This unique schedule benefits the employees more than it does the students. Most Delta students don’t have many classes on Fridays, if at all. The Lincoln Day Observance might not even be felt by a majority of students, apart from perhaps those taking eight-week classes on Fridays.
If the Lincoln Day Observance was going to be slotted on the calendar to alleviate both student and employee schedules, Thursday would be the more impactful day of the week for the holiday when many students and instructors have classes. If a date-based approach was favored over a day-based approach, setting the holiday on every Feb. 14 would make a greater difference to those who celebrate Valentine’s day as well.
On the subject of an official holiday on Feb. 14 though, Delta freshman and biology major Danny Bravo failed to see the point in one. A worker for his father’s repair shop and a boyfriend himself, Bravo had the following to say about Valentine’s Day.
“I don’t think it’s too much of an important holiday to give people a break on. I think it’s more of a ‘you celebrate it if you want to’ and it’s there, but it’s not enough significance to give work and schools a day off for,” he said.
Emma-Jane Mattson, a clerical aid for the Student Services division and part-time worker at Empresso Coffeehouse, offered a differing opinion.
Mattson, who planned to go to Santa Cruz with her fiancé, said the following.
“I think kids get a lot of holidays and maybe adults don’t get so many holidays to spend with each other, so yeah, I would say Valentine’s Day should be a national holiday,” she said.
While Delta’s calendar for 2026 is already set, students and employees can take comfort knowing that Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday next year.
The holiday also coincides with a five-day weekend for Delta’s Spring 2026 semester, beginning Feb. 13 for Delta’s Lincoln Day Observance and going on to Feb. 17 for the Lunar New Year.
