Public holidays in the United States

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The United States does not have national holidays in the sense of days on which all employees in the U.S. receive a day free from work and all business is halted. The U.S. federal government can only recognize national holidays that pertain to its own employees; it is at the discretion of each state or local jurisdiction to determine official holiday schedules. There are eleven such federal holidays, ten annual and one quadrennial holiday.

The annual federal holidays are widely observed by state and local governments; however, they may alter the dates of observance or add or subtract holidays according to local custom. Pursuant to the Uniform Holidays Bill of 1968 (taking effect in 1971), official holidays are observed on a Monday, except for New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There are also U.S. state holidays particular to individual U.S. states.

Most malls, shopping centers and other retail businesses close only on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas days, but remain open on all other holidays (half day on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and sometimes on other major holidays). Private businesses often observe only the "big seven" holidays (New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). Some also add the Friday after Thanksgiving, religious holidays such as Good Friday, or one or more of the other federal/state holidays.

Federal holidays

Main article: Federal holidays in the United States

Federal holidays are designated by Congress in Title V of the United States Code (5 U.S.C. § 6103). If a holiday falls on a Saturday it is celebrated the preceding Friday; if a holiday falls on a Sunday it is celebrated the following Monday. Most, but not all, states and most private businesses also observe a Sunday holiday on the following Monday.

There is no generally accepted policy, however, on whether to observe a Saturday holiday on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. Some states and private businesses may observe on the preceding Friday, some may observe it on the following Monday, and some may not observe the holiday at all in those years. In particular, banks that close on Saturdays do not observe a holiday when it falls on Saturday.

Date Official Name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day Celebrates beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight (12:00 AM) on the preceding night, New Year's Eve. Traditional end of holiday season.
Third Monday in January Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Honors Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights leader, who was actually born on January 15, 1929; combined with other holidays in several states.
First January 20th following a Presidential election Inauguration Day Observed only by federal government employees in Washington, D.C., and the border counties of Maryland and Virginia, in order to relieve congestion that occurs with this major event. Swearing-in of President of the United States and Vice President of the United States. Celebrated every fourth year. Note: Takes place on January 21 if the 20th is a Sunday (although the President is still privately inaugurated on the 20th). If Inauguration Day falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is not a federal holiday.
Third Monday in February Washington's Birthday Washington's Birthday was first declared a federal holiday by an 1879 act of Congress. The Uniform Holidays Act, 1968, shifted the date of the commemoration of Washington's Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February (between February 15 and 21, meaning the observed holiday never falls on Washington's actual birthday). Because of this, combined with the fact that President Abraham Lincoln's birthday falls on February 12, many people now refer to this holiday as "Presidents' Day" and consider it a day honoring all American presidents. However, neither the Uniform Holidays Act nor any subsequent law changed the name of the holiday from Washington's Birthday to Presidents' Day.[1]
Last Monday in May Memorial Day Honors the nation's war dead from the Civil War onwards; marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season. (traditionally May 30, shifted by the Uniform Holidays Act 1968)
July 4 Independence Day Celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence from British rule, also called the Fourth of July. Firework celebrations are held in many cities throughout the US.
First Monday in September Labor Day Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labor movement; marks the unofficial end of the summer season.
Second Monday in October Columbus Day Honors Christopher Columbus, traditional discoverer of the Americas. In some areas it is also a celebration of Italian culture and heritage. (traditionally October 12) In some states, it is celebrated as "Indigenous People's Day" as a celebration of the Native Americans, not Columbus.
November 11 Veterans Day Honors all veterans of the United States armed forces. It is observed on November 11 to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918 (major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice).
Fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day Traditionally celebrates the giving of thanks for the autumn harvest. Traditionally includes the sharing of a turkey dinner. Traditional start of the holiday season.
December 25 Christmas Traditionally celebrates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Many of its celebratory aspects are secular.[2][3][4]

Federal observances

The Congress has designated various United States federal observances—days, weeks, months, and other periods for the observance, commemoration, or recognition of events, individuals, or other topics. These observances do not have the status of holidays in that federal employees do not receive any days free from work for observances.

Other holidays observed nationwide

In addition to the official holidays, many religious, ethnic, and other traditional holidays populate the calendar, as well as observances proclaimed by officials and lighter celebrations. These are rarely observed by businesses as holidays; indeed, many are viewed as opportunities for commercial promotion. Because of this commercialization, some critics apply the deprecatory term Hallmark holiday to such days, after the Hallmark greeting card company.

Date Name Remarks
February or March, date varies Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday A festive season (Carnival) leading up to Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Closes with Ash Wednesday (40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays), which starts the penitential season of Lent in the Christian calendar.
February 2 Groundhog Day The day on which folklore states that the behavior of a groundhog emerging from its burrow is said to predict the onset of Spring.
February 14 Valentine's Day Traditional celebration of love and romance, including the exchange of cards, candy, flowers, and other gifts.
March 17 Saint Patrick's Day A holiday honoring Saint Patrick that celebrates Irish culture. Primary activity is simply the wearing of green clothing ("wearing o' the green"), although drinking beer dyed green is also popular.
April 1 April Fools' Day A day to play tricks on family, friends, and coworkers, if so inclined. Sometimes claimed to have originated as the Gregorian calendar equivalent of the old style March 25th Julian New Year.
The Friday before (western) Easter Good Friday Friday of Holy Week, when Western Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, date varies from March 22 to April 25, inclusive (see Computus), (western) Easter Western Christians' celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. For some Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans follow the tradition of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy. On the next day, Easter Monday, the President of the United States holds an annual Easter egg roll on the White House lawn for young children. Not generally observed by most businesses as it always falls on a Sunday. Most financial markets and some other businesses close on the Friday prior, Good Friday (which is a state holiday in many states).
Protestant Churches and the Roman Catholic Church celebrate Easter on a different Sunday (most years) than the Orthodox churches.
April 22 (varies by location and observance) Earth Day A celebration of environmentalism.
Last Friday in April Arbor Day A day for planting trees.
May 1 May Day An ancient European spring festival that is celebrated as a spring festival in the U.S.
May 5 Cinco de Mayo Primarily a celebration of Mexican culture by Mexican-Americans living in the United States. Although this is the anniversary of the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, Cinco de Mayo is far more important in the USA than in Mexico itself, often celebrated even by non-Mexican-Americans. Additionally, this "holiday" is often mistaken by Americans as being Mexican Independence Day, which is actually observed on September 16.
Second Sunday in May Mother's Day Honors mothers and motherhood (made a "federal holiday" by Presidential order, although most federal agencies are already closed on Sundays)
May 24 Slavic National Holiday in the USA Primarily a celebration of Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian, etc. culture by Russian-speaking Americans living in the United States.
June 14 Flag Day Commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, in 1777.
Third Sunday in June Father's Day Honors fathers and fatherhood.
June 21 Summer Solstice The summer solstice is the day with the most daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.
August 26 Women's Equality Day Celebrates the fight for, and progress towards, equality for women. Established by the United States Congress in 1971 to commemorate two anniversaries: Passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution ensuring Woman Suffrage in 1920 and a nation-wide demonstration for equal rights, the Women's Strike for Equality, in 1970.
September 11 Patriot Day Commemorates the attack on the World Trade Center (New York City) and the Pentagon (Washington, DC) in 2001.
September 17 Constitution/Citizenship Day Commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.
Sptember 19 International Talk Like A Pirate Day People talk like a pirate in rememberence of the Golden Age of Piracy
September or October (depends on Hebrew calendar) Rosh Hashanah Traditional beginning of the Jewish High Holidays. It also celebrates the beginning of a new year on the Hebrew calendar.
September or October (depends on Hebrew calendar) Yom Kippur Traditional end of and highest of the Jewish High Holidays.
October 9 Leif Erikson Day Commemorates the arrival of Leif Ericson, the first European to set foot on American soil. Festivities typically consist of imitating Vikings and may include swimming.
October 31 Halloween Originally the end of the Celtic year, it now celebrates All Hallow's Eve. Decorations include jack o'lanterns. Costume parties and candy such as candy corn are also part of the holiday. Kids go "trick-or-treating" to neighbors who give away candy. Not generally observed by businesses.
First Tuesday after the first Monday in November Election Day Observed by the federal and state governments in applicable years; legal holiday in some states.
First Friday after the fourth Thursday in November Black Friday The day after Thanksgiving, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the United States. Black Friday is not actually a holiday, but many non-retail employers give their employees the day off, increasing the number of potential shoppers.
December (depends on Hebrew calendar) Hanukkah An eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BC.
December 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Day to mourn the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941.
December 8 Virgin Mary Companies in some states will give Day off to its employees.
December 21 Winter Solstice The winter solstice is the day with the least daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.
December 24 Christmas Eve Day before Christmas Day
December 26 through January 1 Kwanzaa African American holiday celebration created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga
December 31 New Year's Eve Final Day of the Gregorian year. Usually accompanied by much celebration.

Legal holidays by states

Alabama Alabama[5]

Alaska Alaska [7]

Arizona Arizona[8]

Arkansas Arkansas [9]

California California [10]

Colorado Colorado[11]

Connecticut Connecticut[12]

Delaware Delaware[13]

Washington, D.C. District of Columbia[14]

Florida Florida

Legal Holidays[15] State Employees' Paid Holidays[16]
  • Sunday
 The first day of each week
  • January 1
 New Year's Day New Year's Day
  • The third Monday in January
 Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • January 15
 Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • January 19
 Birthday of Robert E. Lee
  • February 12
 Lincoln's Birthday
  • February 15
 Susan B. Anthony's Birthday
  • The third Monday in February
 Washington's Birthday
Good Friday
  • April 2
 Pascua Florida Day
  • April 26
 Confederate Memorial Day
  • The last Monday in May
 Memorial Day Memorial Day
  • June 3
 Birthday of Jefferson Davis
  • June 14
 Flag Day
  • July 4
 Independence Day Independence Day
  • The first Monday in September
 Labor Day Labor Day
  • The second Monday in October
 Columbus Day and Farmers' Day
  • November 11
 Veterans' Day Veterans' Day
  • The Tuesday after the first Monday in November (in even-numbered years)
 General Election Day
  • The fourth Thursday in November
 Thanksgiving Thanksgiving
  • The Friday after the fourth Thursday in November
 Friday after Thanksgiving
  • December 25
 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Shrove Tuesday, sometimes also known as "Mardi Gras," in counties where carnival associations are organized for the purpose of celebrating the same
   Change of date when a holiday falls on a weekend day Whenever any legal holiday shall fall upon a Sunday, the Monday next following shall be deemed a public holiday for all and any of the purposes aforesaid. If any of these holidays fall on Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a holiday. When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a holiday.
   Note Full-time employees are entitled to one personal holiday each year. Personal holidays are credited to eligible employees on July 1, and must be taken by the employee by June 30 of each year.
   Statutory reference The 2010 Florida Statutes (including Special Session A) 683.01 — Legal holidays[15] Section 110.117, F.S.[16]

Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia [17]

Hawaii Hawaii [18]

Idaho Idaho[19]

Illinois Illinois [20]

Indiana Indiana[21]

Iowa Iowa[22]

Kansas Kansas [23]

Kentucky Kentucky [24]

Louisiana Louisiana [25]

Maine Maine[26]

Maryland Maryland[27]

Massachusetts Massachusetts [29]

Michigan Michigan[30]

Minnesota Minnesota[31]

Mississippi Mississippi[32]

Missouri Missouri[33]

Montana Montana[34]

Nebraska Nebraska[35]

Nevada Nevada[36]

New Hampshire New Hampshire [37]

New Jersey New Jersey[38]

New Mexico New Mexico[39]

New York (state) New York[40]

Also see New York State government holidays.

North Carolina North Carolina[41]

North Dakota North Dakota[42]

Ohio Ohio[43]

Oklahoma Oklahoma[44]

Oregon Oregon

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

Rhode Island Rhode Island

South Carolina South Carolina

South Dakota South Dakota

Tennessee Tennessee

Texas Texas [45]

Utah Utah

Vermont Vermont

Virginia Virginia[46]

Washington (state) Washington

West Virginia West Virginia[47]

Wisconsin Wisconsin

Wyoming Wyoming[48]

Other holidays locally observed

Non-holiday notable days

  • Super Bowl Sunday (the day of the National Football League's championship, festivities generally including in-home parties and watching the game on television with beverages and snacks)
  • Super Tuesday (political event, variable)
  • Tax Freedom Day (day in which an average citizen is said to have worked enough to pay his or her taxes for the year, used by opponents of taxation)
  • Opening Day (The beginning of the Major League Baseball season and an unofficial indication that summer is approaching)
  • Tax Day (federal and state tax deadline, (April 15) or if on weekend or holiday, next closest Monday or business day)
  • Oktoberfest (celebrated most often in areas with contemporary or historic populations of German heritage)
  • Black Friday (Busy shopping day where stores lower prices the Friday after Thanksgiving, traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season)
  • Cyber Monday (The equivalent of Black Friday, except online, the Monday after Black Friday)
  • Festivus (December 23): made famous on the TV show Seinfeld.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode05/usc_sec_05_00006103----000-.html
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ [3]
  5. ^ "AL holidays". Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  6. ^ a b "Section 1-3-8 of the Code of Alabama, 1975".
  7. ^ "Alaska State Holidays". Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  8. ^ Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (2010-12-30). "ASLAPR - Helpful Links - About Arizona". Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  9. ^ "State Holidays in Arkansas". Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  10. ^ "State Holidays". Department of Personnel Administration. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  11. ^ Office of the Governor of Colorado (2010). "Satellite" (PDF). Office of the Governor of Colorado. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  12. ^ Connecticut Department of Banking (2011). "DOB: Year 2011 Legal Holidays in Connecticut". Connecticut Department of Banking. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  13. ^ Delaware Office of Management and Budget (2010-07-06). "Delaware - Office of Management and Budget - 2009 State of Delaware Holidays". Delaware Office of Management and Budget. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  14. ^ District of Columbia Department of Human Resources. "Department of Human Resources: 2011 Holidays". District of Columbia Department of Human Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  15. ^ a b The Florida Legislature (2010). "The 2010 Florida Statutes(including Special Session A)". Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
  16. ^ a b Florida Department of Management Services (2010). "2010 and 2011 State Holidays / For State HR Practitioners / Human Resource Management / Human Resource Support / Department of Management Services - DMS". Florida Department of Management Services. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  17. ^ State of Georgia. "georgia.gov - State Holidays". georgia.gov. State of Georgia. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  18. ^ "State Holidays of Hawaii" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  19. ^ Idaho State Treasurer's Office (2011). "Idaho State Treasurer's Office". Idaho State Treasurer's Office. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  20. ^ "Holidays in Illinois". Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  21. ^ Indiana State Personnel Department. "SPD: State Holidays". Indiana State Personnel Department. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  22. ^ The Iowa Legislature (2011). "Iowa Legislature - Advanced Search". The Iowa Legislature. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  23. ^ "State Holidays". Department of Administration. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  24. ^ "Kentucky". Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  25. ^ "Louisiana state holidays". Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  26. ^ Maine Bureau of Human Resources (2011). "Maine Bureau of Human Resources: 2011 Holiday Schedule". Maine Bureau of Human Resources. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  27. ^ Maryland Department of Management and Budget (2011). "State Holidays for the Year 2011". Maryland Department of Management and Budget. Retrieved 2011-11-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  28. ^ a b c O'Malley, Martin (2011-05-20). "EXECUTIVE ORDER - Fiscal Years 2012, 2013, and 2014 State Employees' Reduction Recovery Plan" (PDF). Maryland Office of the Governor. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  29. ^ "State Holidays". Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  30. ^ Government of Michigan (2011). [www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192-29938-90605--,00.html "SOM - Official Holidays"]. Government of Michigan. Retrieved 2011-11-04. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  31. ^ Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011). "Court Holidays". Minnesota Judicial Branch. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  32. ^ Mississippi Secretary of State's Office. "Mississippi Secretary of State's Office - State Holidays In Mississippi". Mississippi Secretary of State's Office. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  33. ^ Missouri Office of Administration (2011). "Office of Administration - 2011 State Holidays". Missouri Office of Administration. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  34. ^ Montana State Human Resources Division (2011). "Montana State Government Holidays Observed 2011" (PDF). Montana State Human Resources Division. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  35. ^ Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (2011). "Holiday Schedule for State Employees". Nebraska Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  36. ^ Nevada Department of Personnel (2011). "Department of Personnel". Nevada Department of Personnel. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  37. ^ [4]
  38. ^ New Jersey Office of Information Technology (2011). "The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey - State Holidays". New Jersey Office of Information Technology. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  39. ^ Perez, Sandra K. (2010-11-12). "2011 Paid Holiday Schedule" (PDF). New Mexico State Personnel Office. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  40. ^ "2011 Calendar of Legal Holidays for State Employees in the Classified Service of the Executive Branch". New York State Civil Service. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  41. ^ North Carolina Office of State Personnel (2011). "State Holidays". North Carolina Office of State Personnel. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  42. ^ "State Holidays". Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  43. ^ State of Ohio (2011). "Ohio.gov - State Employee". State of Ohio. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  44. ^ Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management (2005). "Office of Personnel Management - Holidays". Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  45. ^ "Official Texas State Holidays". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Retrieved 2010-02-11. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  46. ^ "Commonwealth of Virginia 2011 Pay and Holiday Calendar" (PDF). Virginia Department of Human Resource Management. Retrieved 2011-01-10. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  47. ^ "West Virginia State Holidays". West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources Health Statistics Center. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  48. ^ "State Holidays". Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  49. ^ Section 1-3-8

External links

Template:US Traditions

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