Angie Ziggafoos
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No National Holidays
U.S. federal government
only recognizes holidays
that pertain to its own
employees
Discretion of each state or
local jurisdiction to
determine their own official
holiday schedules
Most jurisdictions follow the
federal holiday schedule but
may add a few more
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New Year’s Day
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Inauguration Day
Washington’s Birthday/Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas
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Official holidays are observed on a Monday
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Exceptions: New Years Day, Independence Day,
Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
If holiday falls on Saturday, observed on
previous Friday
If holiday falls on Sunday, observed on
following Monday
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January 1
Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar
year
Count down to midnight the night before
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Often celebrate New Year’s Eve with a party & often
fireworks
Traditional end of Christmas holiday season
Businesses are closed but retail stores are open
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Observed third Monday in January
Honors Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a civil
rights leader
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Observed every fourth year on January 20
following a Presidential election
Celebrated by federal employees in
Washington D.C., Maryland, & Virginia
Takes place on January 21 if 20th is a Sunday
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President is still privately inaugurated on the 20th
Celebrated to relieve traffic congestion
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Observed the third Monday in February
Initially celebrated as George Washington’s
Birthday on February 22
Uniform Holidays Act of 1968 shifted the date
from February 22 to third Monday (Feb. 15-21)
Abraham Lincoln’s birthday-February 12
Many people now consider
this a day to honor all
American presidents
Never legally changed
to Presidents’ Day
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Observed last Monday in May
Honors the nation’s war dead from the Civil War
forward
Marks the unofficial beginning of summer
Many people celebrate by having a cookout with
friends or family
Retail stores and businesses are closed
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July 4th
Celebrates the signing of the Declaration of
Independence from British rule
Celebrated with cookouts/picnics and fireworks
throughout the nation
Retail stores are open but most businesses are
closed
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Observed First Monday in September
Celebrates the achievements of workers & the
labor movement
Marks the unofficial end of summer
Businesses are closed but retail stores are open
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Observed second Monday in October
Honors Christopher Columbus, the discoverer
of the Americas
In some areas, also a celebration of Italian
culture & heritage
In some states, celebrated as Indigenous
People’s Day, to celebrate Native Americans
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Observed on November 11 to recall the end of
World War I in 1918
Honors all veterans of the U.S. armed forces
Celebrated with special ceremonies all over the
country
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Observed fourth Thursday in November
Traditionally celebrated the giving of thanks for
the autumn harvest
Traditionally celebrated by gathering with family
and friends for a turkey dinner
Traditional start of the Christmas holiday season
Retail stores and companies are closed
Many employers will give the gift of a turkey to
their employees
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December 25
Most widely celebrated holiday of the Christian year
Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus
The holiday that families most often travel long
distances to visit each other
Retail stores and businesses are closed
Many employers will give a gift of a holiday or
Christmas bonus to their employees
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Groundhog Day
Valentine’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day
April Fools’ Day
Good Friday
Easter
Earth Day
Arbor Day
May Day
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Mother’s Day
Flag Day
Father’s Day
Halloween
Black Friday
Cyber Monday
Christmas Eve
New Years Eve
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Observed on February 2
Folklore states that if it is sunny & the
groundhog sees his shadow, he will retreat
back into its burrow & winter weather will
continue for 6 more weeks. If it is cloudy, then
spring will come early.
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Observed on February 14
Modern traditional celebration of love &
romance
Many couples celebrate by dining out at a
fancy restaurant & giving gifts to each other
Often flowers, especially roses, are given from
the male to the female
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Observed on March 17
Honors St. Patrick & celebrates Irish culture
Celebrated by wearing green clothing, eating
traditional Irish food, and drinking green beer
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Observed on April 1
Celebrated by playing tricks or jokes on family,
friends, and co-workers
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/arc
hive/permalink/taco_liberty_bell
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Observed the Friday before Easter
Commemorates the crucifixion & death of Jesus
Is a recognized holiday in 12 states
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State & local government offices are closed, as well
as state chartered banks
Federal banks & post offices that are located in
buildings that close for the day will also be closed,
but not in formal observance of the holiday
Many schools, some universities & private
sector businesses are closed
Financial markets are closed
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Observed the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon
(March 22-April 25)
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus
Many Americans color & decorate hard-boiled eggs &
give baskets of candy and/or toys to children
Easter Egg Hunts are popular
Not a Federal Holiday because the 1st Amendment
prohibits an establishment of religion & because it is
always on a Sunday & most businesses are closed
already
Many companies that are normally open on Sunday
close for Easter, but becoming less popular
Retail stores are closed
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Observed on April 22, but can vary
A celebration of environmentalism by doing
something good for the environment
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Observed the last Friday in April
Celebrated by planting & caring for trees
Originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska
First held in 1872 & one
million trees were planted
that day
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Observed May 1
In most countries other than US, celebrated as
the equivalent of Labor Day
Celtic & English holiday that celebrates the
transition from spring to summer
Celebrated by making baskets
and filling them with treats &
anonymously leaving them
for friends
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Observed 2nd Sunday in May
Honors mothers & motherhood
Made a federal holiday by Presidential order,
though most federal agencies are already
closed on Sundays
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Observed June 14
Commemorates the adoption of the flag of the
US in 1777
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Observed 3rd Sunday in June
Honors fathers & fatherhood
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Observed October 31
Celebrates the eve of All Saint’s Day
Originally the end of the Celtic year
Celebrated with costume parties and trick-ortreating
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Day After Thanksgiving
Traditionally beginning of Christmas shopping
season
Not really a holiday, but some states observe as
“The Day After Thanksgiving” as a holiday for
state government employees
Virtually all schools, colleges & universities are
closed along with many non-retail private sector
businesses
Federal government offices, post offices &
federally chartered banks must be open
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Called Black Friday because it begins the sales
period when most American retailers make
their profits for the year & whether they will
end the year “in the black” or “in the red”
Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT the
busiest sales day of the year
A busy Black Friday almost invariably
indicates a busy shopping season, while poor
sales usually forecast a slow shopping season
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Monday after Thanksgiving
Big on-line shopping day with retailers offering
many special deals and sales
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Observed December 24
Virtually all businesses & retail stores close
early, although a few remain open 24 hours
Santa traditionally brings gifts after the
children have gone to bed this night
Time to gather with family
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Observed December 31
Final day of the Gregorian year
Celebrated with a party & sometimes fireworks
Customary to kiss your special person at the
stroke of midnight and toast the new year with
champagne
Virtually every company & retail
outlet closes early except stores
that sell alcoholic beverages &
party supplies