Angie Ziggafoos

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

1. New Year’s Day 2. Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. 3. Inauguration Day 4. Washington’s Birthday/Presidents’ Day 5. Memorial Day 6. Independence Day 7. Labor Day 8. Columbus Day 9. Veterans Day 10. Thanksgiving Day 11. Christmas

Official holidays are observed on a Monday

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

January 1 Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar

year Count down to midnight the night before

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

Observed third Monday in January

Honors Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a civil rights leader

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

President is still privately inaugurated on the 20th

Celebrated to relieve traffic congestion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Groundhog Day

Valentine’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day

April Fools’ Day

Good Friday

Easter

Earth Day

Arbor Day

May Day

Mother’s Day

Flag Day

Father’s Day

Halloween

Black Friday

Cyber Monday

Christmas Eve

New Years Eve

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.

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

Observed on March 17

Honors St. Patrick & celebrates Irish culture

Celebrated by wearing green clothing, eating traditional Irish food, and drinking green beer

Observed on April 1

Celebrated by playing tricks or jokes on family, friends, and co-workers

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/taco_liberty_bell

Observed the Friday before Easter

Commemorates the crucifixion & death of Jesus

Is a recognized holiday in 12 states 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

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

Observed on April 22, but can vary

A celebration of environmentalism by doing something good for the environment

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

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

Observed 2nd Sunday in May

Honors mothers & motherhood

Made a federal holiday by Presidential order, though most federal agencies are already closed on Sundays

Observed June 14

Commemorates the adoption of the flag of the US in 1777

Observed 3rd Sunday in June

Honors fathers & fatherhood

Observed October 31

Celebrates the eve of All Saint’s Day

Originally the end of the Celtic year

Celebrated with costume parties and trick-or-treating

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

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

Monday after Thanksgiving

Big on-line shopping day with retailers offering many special deals and sales

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

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