Public holidays in the United States

Bank holidays

U.S. bank holidays are generally the same as those observed at the federal level, but depend on the bank. For example, JP Morgan Chase observes all federal holidays except Columbus Day.^[22] U.S. Bank on the other hand observes all of the federal holidays.^[23]

School holidays

In the United States, there are 180 school days in a year (college/universities often shorter). School holidays (also referred to as vacations, breaks, and recess) are the periods during which schools are closed. The dates and periods of school holidays vary considerably throughout the world, and there is usually some variation even within the same jurisdiction. Governments often legislate on the total number of school days for state schools. The holidays given below apply to primary and secondary education. Teaching sessions (terms or semesters) in tertiary education are usually shorter.

Most public schools from grades K-12 follow a break/holidays schedule similar to the following:

• Thanksgiving Holiday - End of November (Thanksgiving Day & Day after. Wednesday is either half day or students have Wednesday off. Some schools give the students an entire week off on the last week of November.)
• Christmas/Holiday break - Approximately the Friday of the week before Christmas to first weekday in January after New Year's Day. In some areas it is the first Monday after New Year's. In years where January 1 (New Year's Day) falls on a Sunday, such as 2012, the next day—Monday, January 2—is also taken off and schools may not start until Tuesday, January 3.
• Winter break - one week in February or March (depending on region/state. Many schools do not observe this break)
• Spring break - one week in March or April (may fall around Easter and depends on region and state).
• Summer break - About 10 – 11 weeks (either from end of May to end of August, or early June to the day after Labor Day in early September - depending on region and state).
• All federal and state holidays, including religious holidays (such as Good Friday, and sometimes Jewish/Islamic holidays) - depending on school demographic.
• Snow Days (on days where snowstorms or other inclement weather makes travel unsafe) - usually given one to two days, but it could be make up if schools are having many snow days. These are usually unscheduled.

• Many public schools also have Teacher's Day off/In-service (convention)/Professional Day - 2 to 3 days any day in school calendar.

Most colleges and universities have the following breaks/holidays:

• Thanksgiving Holiday - End of November (Thanksgiving & Day after, and most often also on Wednesday)
• Christmas/Holiday & Winter break - December 23 to mid/end of January (Winter classes could be taken after New Year).
• Spring Break - one week in March or early April.
• Summer Break - Early/mid of May to day after Labor day in early September (Summer classes could be taken).
• Major federal and state holidays (Private may observe religious holidays)
• Snow Days (In regions where it snows in winter) - usually given few days, and no days to make up.

Most colleges and universities are divided into two semesters in a school year. The first starting from day after Labor Day in early September until December 23, and the second starting middle or end of January until early/mid May. Winter and summer classes could be taken in between the breaks.

Religious and cultural holidays

The religious and cultural holidays in the United States is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. However, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...." and Article VI specifies that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." As a result, various religious faiths have flourished, as well as perished, in the United States. A majority of Americans report that religion plays a "very important" role in their lives, a proportion unique among developed nations.^[24]

The majority of Americans (73–80%) identify themselves as Christians and about 15–20% have no religious affiliation.^[25] According to the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) (2008) 76% of the American adult population identified themselves as Christians, with 51% professing attendance at a variety of churches that could be considered Protestant or unaffiliated, and 25% professing Catholic beliefs.^[26] The same survey says that other religions (including, for example, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism) collectively make up about 4% of the adult population, another 15% of the adult population claim no religious affiliation, and 5.2% said they did not know, or they refused to reply. According to a 2012 survey by the Pew forum, 36 percent of Americans state that they attend services nearly every week or more.^[27]

Christian holidays

In the United States, Christmas is a government holiday while Good Friday is not at the federal level. Good Friday is a state holiday in Connecticut,^[28] Delaware,^[29] Florida,^[30] Hawaii,^[31] Indiana,^[32] Kentucky,^[33] Louisiana,^[34] New Jersey,^[35] North Carolina,^[36] North Dakota,^[37] Pennsylvania,^[38] Tennessee^[39] and Texas.^[40] State and local government offices and courts are closed, as well as some banks and postal offices in these states, and in those counties and municipalities where Good Friday is observed as holiday. Good Friday is also a holiday in U.S. territories of Guam,^[41] the U.S. Virgin Islands^[42] and Puerto Rico.^[43]

While most stores close on Christmas, some remain open. For example, convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and CVS Pharmacy remain open.^[44] A reference in A Christmas Story shows a Chinese restaurant being the only establishment open on Christmas. Also, many Jewish establishments remain open on Christmas, but will close on Hanukkah instead.. Also, many Jews now go to the movies and go to Chinese restaurants on Christmas or Christmas Eve.

Some private businesses and certain other institutions are closed on Good Friday.^[45] The financial market and stock market is closed on Good Friday.^[46] Most retail stores remain open although some might close early. Public schools and most universities are closed on Good Friday, either as a holiday of its own, or part of spring break. The postal service operates, and banks regulated by the federal government do not close for Good Friday.^[2]

Easter is recognized as a flag day but has not been a federal holiday because it always falls on a Sunday, which is a non-working day for federal and state employees. However, many companies, including banks, malls, shopping centers and most private retail stores that normally open on Sundays are closed on Easter.^[8]

Date	Name	Remarks
January 6	Epiphany	Epiphany (from Greek epiphaneia, "manifestation"), falls on the 12th day after Christmas. It commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the miracle of the wine at the marriage feast at Cana. One of the three major Christian festivals, along with Christmas and Easter. Epiphany originally marked the beginning of the carnival season preceding Lent, and the evening preceding it is known as Twelfth Night.
January 7	Orthodox Christmas	January 7th is the Gregorian Calendar equivalent of December 25 on the Julian Calendar still observed by the Russian and other Eastern Orthodox Churches.
February 14	Valentine's Day	St. Valentine's Day, or simply Valentine's Day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. Modern traditional celebration of love and romance, including the exchange of cards, candy, flowers, and other gifts.
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 Western Christian calendar.
March 17	St. 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. Big parades in some cities, such as in Chicago, where there is also a tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green.
Sunday before Easter	Palm Sunday	Celebration to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The Friday before (western) Easter	Good Friday	Friday of Holy Week, when Western Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Good Friday is a holiday in some individual counties and municipalities, as well as a state holiday in Connecticut,[28] Delaware,[29] Florida,[30] Hawaii,[31] Indiana,[32] Kentucky,[33] Louisiana,[34] New Jersey,[35] North Carolina,[36] North Dakota,[37] Tennessee[39] and Texas.[40] State and local government offices and courts are closed, as well as state-chartered banks and in these jurisdictions. Federal banks and post offices that are located in buildings that close for Good Friday and Easter will also be closed. Good Friday is also a holiday in U.S. territories of Guam,[41] U.S. Virgin Islands[42] and Puerto Rico.[43] Many public and private schools, colleges, universities and private-sector businesses; and the New York Stock Exchange and financial markets are closed on Good Friday.
Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, date varies from March 22 to April 25, inclusive (see Computus),	Easter	Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus in most Western Christian churches. A minority of Protestant churches do not observe Easter. Eastern Orthodox (including Western Rite), Oriental Orthodox and some Neo-Celtic churches observe Easter according to a different calendar, usually on a later Sunday (thus they also observe Palm Sunday and Good Friday on different days than Western Christians). Many Americans decorate hard-boiled eggs and give baskets of candy, fruit, toys and so on, especially to children; but gifts of age-appropriate Easter baskets for the elderly, the infirm and the needy are increasingly popular. An annual Easter Egg Roll has been held at the White House South Lawn for young children on Easter Monday since President Hayes started the tradition in 1878.[47] Not a federal holiday due to the fact that it always falls on a Sunday, which is a non-working day for federal and state employees. Many companies that are normally open on Sunday close for Easter.
October 31	Halloween	Originally the end of the Celtic year, it now celebrates Eve of All Saint's Day. 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.
December 8	Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary	Immaculate Conception is a dogma of the Catholic Church maintaining that the Virgin Mary was kept free of original sin from her moment of conception. Companies in some states will give day off to their employees.
December 24	Christmas Eve	Day before Christmas. Virtually every business closes early, though a few remain open 24 hours.

Jewish holidays

According to various sources, the three most commonly celebrated Jewish holidays are Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah.^[48] Passover and Yom Kippur in addition to Rosh Hashannah and Hanukkah are recognized as an optional state level holiday in the U.S. state of Texas^[49][50] All Jewish holidays start the night before, as that is when the Jewish day begins.

Date	Name	Remarks
Usually April (very rarely starts in March or ends in May) (depends on Hebrew Calendar)	Passover	A seven- or eight-day festival in Judaism(seven days in Israel, eight outside of Israel), commemorating the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. For Karaite Jews, Passover is the holiest day of the year and is the festival that marks the beginning of the year. Some Christian groups celebrate Passover instead of Easter. In many regions with large Jewish communities, schools close for all or part of Passover.
September (depends on Hebrew calendar)	Rosh Hashanah	Observed by Jewish people. Traditional beginning of the Jewish High Holidays. It also celebrates the beginning of a new year on the Hebrew calendar. In regions with large Jewish populations, schools and universities may close on Rosh Hashanah. It is a widely accepted custom to dip an apple in honey on the first night. Unlike other holidays where the Diaspora (outside of Israel) celebrate extra days, this holiday is observed for two days everywhere.
September or October (depends on Hebrew calendar)	Yom Kippur	Observed by Jewish people. This day marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that began with Rosh Hashanah. It is described in Leviticus as a "Sabbath of rest," and synagogue services begin the preceding sundown, resume the following morning, and continue to sundown. Orthodox and many Conservative Jews fast on Yom Kippur. In regions with large Jewish populations, schools and universities may close on Yom Kippur.
December ( very rarely starts in November or ends in January) (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. Candelabras are lit, one candle on the first night and adding one candle per night. It is also a widely accepted custom to spin a top like toy called a dreidel, and to give coins to the children. In regions with large Jewish populations, schools and universities may close for part of Hanukkah.

Hindu holidays

According to some sources, the Hindu holidays of Diwali and Holi are commonly celebrated as a "mainstream" holiday throughout the United States, not only by Indian Americans or peoples of Indian descent. Many firms that hire a people from India will even go as far as observing the holidays with a celebration within the company or even approving it as a paid day off.^[51][52] Holi, the "festival of colors" has inspired a Broadway musical based on this festival.^[53] New York City Council has voted on a resolution that may make Diwali and Holi a legal holiday in Resolution 1863-2013.^[54] As of August 2013, the resolution has passed and the holidays are now officially legal holidays in New York City.^[55] CNN reported that the Diwali holiday is shown in American pop culture through an episode of The Office.^[56][57]

Date	Name	Remarks
February or March (depends on Hindu calendar)	Holi	Holi (English pronunciation: /ˈhoʊliː/) (Sanskrit: होली) is a spring festival also known as Festival of Colors, and sometimes Festival of Love.[58][59] It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities.[60]
October or November (depends on Hindu calendar)	Diwali	Diwali (English pronunciation: /dɨˈwɑːliː/ or English pronunciation: /dɨˈvɑːliː/) also called the Festival of lights'", is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year.[61][62] The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.[40][63][64] The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid-November.

Muslim holidays

According to various sources, the major holidays of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha have been recognized in the United States. Awareness of these holidays can be found in calendars published by major calendar manufacturers.^{[65] [66][67]} According to Al-Jazeera, schools in the U.S. states of New York and Michigan (mainly Dearborn) may begin to close in observance of all Muslim holidays.^[68]

Date	Name	Remarks
July or August (depends on Muslim calendar)	Ramadan	Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn];[variations] Persian: رَمَضان‎ Ramazān; Urdu: رَمْضان‎ Ramzān; Turkish: Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar;[69] Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting.[70][71] This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.[72] The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.[73][74] The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness.[75] Fasting is fard ("obligatory") for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.[76] Fasting the month of Ramadan was made obligatory (wājib) during the month of Sha'aban, in the second year after the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina.
July or August (depends on Muslim calendar)	Eid al-Fitr	Eid al-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر‎ ʻĪd al-Fiṭr, IPA: [ʕiːd al fitˤr], "festival of breaking of the fast"), also called Feast of Breaking the Fast, the Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), the Sweet Festival[77] and the Lesser Eid, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). The religious Eid is a single day and Muslims are not permitted to fast on that day. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality. However, in most countries, it is generally celebrated on the same day as Saudi Arabia(lunar calendar).
September or October (depends on Muslim calendar)	Eid al-Adha	Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى‎ ʿīd al-aḍḥā [ʕiːd ælˈʔɑdˤħæ] meaning "Festival of the sacrifice"), also called the Feast of the Sacrifice, the Major Festival,[78] the Greater Eid, Kurban Bayram (Turkish: Kurban Bayramı; Bosnian: kurban-bajram), Eid e Qurban (Persian: عید قربان‎) or Bakr'Eid (Urdu: بکرا عید‎), is the second of two religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year. It honors the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his young first-born son Ishmael (Ismail)a as an act of submission to God's command, before God then intervened to provide Abraham with a lamb to sacrifice instead.[79] In the lunar-based Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days.[80] In the international Gregorian calendar, the dates vary from year to year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.

Other religious, traditional, and informal holidays celebrated in the United States

In addition to the federal/national 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 (Except for Easter and most often also on Good Friday);^[8] 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 2	Groundhog Day	The day on which folklore states that whether or not a local groundhog casts a shadow determines if the spring season will arrive early or on time.
March 8	International Women's Day	A day set aside to honor women and their accomplishments in history.
April 1	April Fools' Day	A day that people commonly play tricks or jokes on family, friends, and co-workers, especially in English-speaking nations. Sometimes called "the Feast of All Fools" as a play on the feast days of saints; there is no evidence the holiday has any Christian religious origins.
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	In most other countries, May 1 is International Workers' Day, the equivalent of Labor Day, and some Americans do observe May 1 in that context. But before it was a labor-related holiday, May Day was a Celtic and English holiday that celebrated the transition from Spring to Summer, and it is that holiday that those Americans and Canadians who still celebrate May Day call to mind.
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)
First Sunday in June	Children's Day	Proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2001 to honor children.[81]
June 14	Flag Day	Commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, in 1777.
June 27	Helen Keller Day	Commemorates the achievements of Helen Keller and the blind.
Third Sunday in June	Father's Day	Honors fathers and fatherhood.
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.
First Sunday after Labor Day	Grandparent's Day	Similar to Mother's/Father's Day but honoring grandparents and grandparenthood.
September 11	Patriot Day	Commemorates the attacks on the World Trade Center (New York City), The Pentagon (Washington, D.C.), and United Airlines Flight 93 in 2001.
September 17	Constitution/Citizenship Day	Commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.
October 6	German-American Day	Commemorates the date in 1683 when 13 German families from Krefeld near the Rhine landed in Philadelphia. These families subsequently founded in Germantown, Pennsylvania, the first German settlement in the original thirteen American colonies.
October 9	Leif Erikson Day	Honors Leif Erikson, the Norse Viking explorer, who led the first Europeans to discover and set foot in the New World.
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.
Day After Thanksgiving	Black Friday	Traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the United States. "Black Friday" is not a holiday under that name, but California and some other states observe "The Day After Thanksgiving" as a holiday for state government employees. Virtually all schools, colleges, and universities are also closed, along with many non-retail private sector businesses. Federal government offices, post offices and federally chartered banks must open on Black Friday (unless the President issues an executive order or proclamation allowing them to close). It is called "Black Friday" because it begins the sales period when most American retailers make their profits for the year. Contrary to popular belief, Black Friday is not the busiest sales day of the year (that honor belongs to Christmas Eve, December 24). Rather, it is the barometer by which retailers are able to gauge December sales and whether they will indeed end the year "in the black" (instead of "in the red"). A busy Black Friday almost invariably indicates a busy shopping season, while poor sales on Black Friday usually herald a very slow season.
December 7	Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day	Day to mourn the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941.
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, such as party and fireworks. Virtually every company and retail outlet closes early, except for stores that sell alcoholic beverages and party supplies.

Legal holidays by states and political divisions of the United States

Not to be confused with tax holidays

Alabama

• All federal holidays^[82][83]
• 3rd Monday in January - this federal holiday is renamed "Robert E. Lee/Martin Luther King Birthday"
• 3rd Monday in February - this federal holiday is renamed "George Washington/Thomas Jefferson Birthday"
• 4th Monday in April - Confederate Memorial Day
• 1st Monday in June - Jefferson Davis' birthday

Alaska

• All federal holidays except Columbus Day^[84]
• Last Monday in March - Seward's Day
• October 18 - Alaska Day

Arizona

• All federal holidays^[85]
• 3rd Monday in January - this federal holiday is renamed "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day"

Arkansas

• All federal holidays^[86]
• 3rd Monday in January - this federal holiday is renamed "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee's Birthdays"
• 3rd Monday in February - this federal holiday is renamed "George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day"
• December 24 - Christmas Eve

California

• All federal holidays^[87]
• February 15 - Susan B. Anthony Day^[88]
• March 31 - César Chávez Day

Colorado

• All federal holidays^[89]

Connecticut

• All federal holidays^[90]
• February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday
• variable date - Good Friday

Delaware

• All federal holidays except Washington's Birthday and Columbus Day^[91]
• variable date - Good Friday
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - Day After Thanksgiving
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day (in even-numbered years)

District of Columbia

• All federal holidays^[92]
• April 16 - Emancipation Day

Florida

• All federal holidays except Washington's Birthday and Columbus Day^[93]
• February 15 - Susan B. Anthony Day^[88]
• The Friday after the fourth Thursday in November - Friday after Thanksgiving

Georgia

• All federal holidays except President's Day^[94]
• January 19 - Robert E. Lee's Birthday, observed the 4th Friday of November
• Last Monday in April - Confederate Memorial Day
• December 24 - Washington's Birthday Observed. If December 24 is a Wednesday, then this holiday is observed on Friday December 26.

Guam

• All federal holidays
• March 5-Guam Discovery Day
• Good Friday
• July 21-Liberation Day (Guam)
• November 2-All Souls' Day
• December 8-Lady of Camarin Day

Hawaii

• All federal holidays except Columbus Day^[95]
• March 26 - Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day
• June 11 - Kamehameha Day
• 3rd Friday in August - Statehood Day
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day (in even-numbered years)

Idaho

• All federal holidays^[96]
• 3rd Monday in January - this federal holiday is renamed "Martin Luther King, Jr.-Idaho Human Rights Day"^[97]

Illinois

• All federal holidays^[98]
• February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday
• 1st Monday in March - Casimir Pulaski Day
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day (in even-numbered years)

Indiana

• All federal holidays^[99]
• variable date - Good Friday
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in May - Primary Election Day
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - Lincoln's Birthday

Iowa

• All federal holidays^[100]
• February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday

Kansas

• All federal holidays^[101]

Kentucky

• All federal holidays^[102]
• variable date - Good Friday (half holiday)
• December 24 - Christmas Eve
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

Louisiana

• All federal holidays^[103]
• variable date - Mardi Gras
• variable date - Good Friday
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day (in even-numbered years)

Maine

• All federal holidays
• 3rd Monday in April - Patriots' Day

Maryland

• All federal holidays
• Friday before last Monday in May - Service Reduction Day
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - Native American Heritage Day

Massachusetts

• All federal holidays^[104]
• March 17 - Evacuation Day
• 3rd Monday in April - Patriots' Day

Michigan

• All federal holidays
• December 24 - Christmas Eve
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

Minnesota

• All federal holidays

Mississippi

• All federal holidays^[105]
• 3rd Monday in January - this federal holiday is renamed "Martin Luther King's and Robert E. Lee's Birthdays"
• Last Monday in April - Confederate Memorial Day

Missouri

• All federal holidays
• May 8 - Truman Day

Montana

• All federal holidays
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day
• December 24 - Christmas Eve
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

Nebraska

• All federal holidays
• Last Friday in April - Arbor Day

Nevada

• All federal holidays except Columbus Day, due to its proximity to Nevada Day.
• Last Friday in October - Nevada Day
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - Family Day

New Hampshire

• All federal holidays (offices remain open on Columbus Day)^[106]
• 3rd Monday in January - this federal holiday is renamed Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day (in even-numbered years) (listed as a state holiday although state offices remain open)
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - Day after Thanksgiving

New Jersey

• All federal holidays
• February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday
• variable date - Good Friday
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day

New Mexico

• All federal holidays except Washington's Birthday
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - holiday in lieu of Presidents' Day

New York

• All federal holidays^[107]
• February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday
• February 15 - Susan B. Anthony Day^[88]
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day

North Carolina

• All federal holidays ^[108]
• variable date - Good Friday
• Friday after 4th Thursday of November - Day After Thanksgiving
• December 24 - Christmas Eve (If on Friday, observed to Thursday; if on Saturday or Sunday, observed on Friday)
• December 26 - Day After Christmas (If on Saturday or Sunday, observed on Monday; if on Monday, observed on Tuesday)

North Dakota

• All federal holidays^[109]

Ohio

• All federal holidays

Oklahoma

• All federal holidays
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - Day after Thanksgiving

Oregon

• All federal holidays

Pennsylvania

• All federal holidays
• June 14 - Flag Day

Puerto Rico

• All federal holidays
• January 6 Three Kings Day/Epiphany
• January 11 Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos, now celebrated on the 2nd Monday of January
• February 18 Birthday of Luis Muñoz Marín, now celebrated on Presidents' Day
• March 22 Emancipation Day
• Good Friday
• April 16 Birthday of José de Diego, now celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April
• Third Monday of July Birthday of Don Luis Muñoz Rivera, now celebrated on Presidents' Day
• July 25 Constitution of Puerto Rico Day
• July 27 Birthday of Dr. José Celso Barbosa, now celebrated on Presidents' Day
• November 19 Discovery of Puerto Rico
• December 24 Christmas Eve

Rhode Island

• All federal holidays
• 2nd Monday in August - Victory Day

South Carolina

• All federal holidays
• May 10 - Confederate Memorial Day

South Dakota

• All federal holidays
• 2nd Monday in October - this federal holiday (Columbus Day) is renamed to Native American Day

Tennessee

• All federal holidays
• variable date - Good Friday
• December 24 - Christmas Eve

Texas

• All federal holidays, however offices will remain open on another day when designated holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday.^[110]
• January 19 - Confederate Heroes Day (partial staffing holiday)
• March 2 - Texas Independence Day (partial staffing holiday)
• March 31 - Cesar Chavez Day (optional holiday)
• April - Good Friday (optional holiday)
• April 21 - San Jacinto Day (partial staffing holiday)
• June 19 - Emancipation Day In Texas (partial staffing holiday)
• August 27 - Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (partial staffing holiday)
• September/October - Rosh Hashanah (optional holiday)
• September/October - Yom Kippur (optional holiday)
• Friday after 4th Thursday in November - Friday after Thanksgiving
• December 24 - Christmas Eve
• December 26 - Day after Christmas

U.S. Virgin Islands

• All federal holidays
• January 6 - Three Kings Day
• March 31 - Transfer Day
• Holy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• July 3 - Emancipation Day
• Fourth Monday in July - Hurricane Supplication Day
• Second Monday in October - this federal holiday (Columbus Day) is renamed "Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day"
• October 25 - Hurricane Thanksgiving
• November 1 - Liberty Day
• December 26 - Christmas Second Day
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

Utah

• All federal holidays
• July 24 - Pioneer Day

Vermont

• All federal holidays
• 1st Tuesday in March - Town Meeting Day
• 3rd Monday in August - Battle of Bennington

Virginia

• All federal holidays^[111]
• Friday before 3rd Monday in January - Lee-Jackson Day

Washington

• All federal holidays

West Virginia

• All federal holidays
• February 15 - Susan B. Anthony Day^[112]
• June 20 - West Virginia Day
• 4th Friday in November - "Lincoln's Day"

Wisconsin

• All federal holidays
• February 15 - Susan B. Anthony Day^[88]
• 2nd Tuesday in September - Primary Election Day
• Tuesday after 1st Monday in November - Election Day

Wyoming

• All federal holidays^[113]

Federal holidays at the state level

While most federal holidays are observed at the state level, some of these holidays are observed with different names, are observed on different days, or completely not observed in some states of the United States. ^ a. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is known officially as Martin Luther King, Jr./Civil Rights Day in Arizona,^[114] and New Hampshire,^[115] Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee's Birthdays in Arkansas,^[116] Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Florida,^[117] and Maryland,^[118] Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day in Idaho,^[119] and Martin Luther King's and Robert E. Lee's Birthdays in Mississippi.^[120] ^ b. Washington's Birthday is known officially as President's Day in Alaska,^[121] California,^[122] Hawaii,^[123] Idaho,^[119] Maryland,^[118] Nebraska,^[124] New Hampshire,^[115] Tennessee,^[125] Washington,^[126] West Virginia,^[127] and Wyoming,^[128] Washington-Lincoln Day in Colorado (CRS 24-11-101),^[129] Ohio,^[130] Lincoln/Washington/Presidents' Day in Arizona,^[114] George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day in Arkansas,^[116] Presidents' Day in Hawaii,^[123] Massachusetts,^[131] New Mexico,^[132] North Dakota,^[133] Oklahoma,^[134] South Dakota,^[135] Texas,^[136] and Vermont,^[137] Washington's Birthday/President's Day in Maine,^[138] Presidents Day in Michigan,^[139] Minnesota,^[140] Nevada,^[141] New Jersey,^[142] and Oregon,^[143] Lincoln's and Washington's Birthday in Montana,^[144] Washington and Lincoln Day in Utah,^[145] and George Washington Day in Virginia.^[146] ^ The day after Thanksgiving is observed in lieu of Columbus Day in Minnesota.^[140] ^ Columbus Day is listed as a state holiday in New Hampshire although state offices remain open.^[115] ^ President's Day, Good Friday (11am-3pm), Juneteenth Day (June 19), Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Partisan Primary Election Day, and General Election Day are listed as a state holiday in Wisconsin although state offices remain open.^[147][148]

Legal holidays observed nationwide

• January 1 – New Year's Day
• Last Monday in May – Memorial Day
  • Known officially as National Memorial Day in Alabama,^[149]
  • and Memorial Day / Decoration Day in Idaho.^[119]
  • Observed with Jefferson Davis' Birthday, and known officially as National Memorial Day / Jefferson Davis' Birthday, in Mississippi.^[120]
• July 4 – Independence Day
• First Monday in September – Labor Day
• November 11 – Veterans Day
  • Known officially as Armistice Day in Mississippi.^[120]
• Fourth Thursday in November – Thanksgiving
• December 25 – Christmas

Other holidays locally observed

• Alaska Day, October 18^[150]
• Bennington Battle Day (Vermont), August 16^[151]
• Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County, Massachusetts), June 17
• Brooklyn-Queens Day (New York City), first Thursday in June
• Casimir Pulaski Day (Illinois), first Monday in March
• Celebrate Freedom Week (Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas), various weeks depending on state.
• Day of the Dead, November 2, sometimes celebrated in areas with large Mexican-American populations; see Dia de los Muertos
• DC Emancipation Day (Washington, D.C.), April 16. Legal public holiday. If during the weekend, observed on the nearest weekday. If April 16 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, it will nationally extend the federal income tax filing deadline.
• Devil's Night (primarily Michigan), October 30
• Dyngus Day (New York, Indiana, Michigan and North Dakota), day after Easter, Polish-origin holiday
• Evacuation Day (Suffolk County and Cambridge, Massachusetts), March 17 (same date as St. Patrick's Day)
• Father Damien Day (Hawaii), April 15
• Helen Keller Day, (Pennsylvania), June 27
• Indigenous Peoples Day (Berkeley, California), celebrated in lieu of Columbus Day
• International Women's Day (Berkeley, California), March 8
• Loyalty Day (domestic counterweight to May Day)
• Malcolm X Day (Berkeley, California), May 19
• Mardi Gras, held the day before Ash Wednesday.
  • Louisiana, legal holiday
  • Alabama, legal holiday only in Baldwin and Mobile Counties^[152]
• Meck-Dec Day (Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina), May 20. Celebrates the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
• Midsummer (celebrated in Minnesota and other Scandinavian-American areas)
• Nevada Day (Nevada), last Friday in October
• Patriots' Day (Massachusetts and Maine), third Monday in April. Commemorates the Revolutionary War and is the day of the Boston Marathon. Different from Patriot Day (September 11).
• Pioneer Day (Utah), July 24. Commemorates the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers to the Great Salt Lake Valley.
• Return Day (Sussex County, Delaware), November 4 after noon. Population meets to hear election returns, celebrate.
• Rosa Parks Day (Ohio), February 4
• Seward's Day (Alaska), last Monday of March.^[150] Date of the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty.
• Susan B. Anthony Day (California, Florida, Wisconsin, and West Virginia), February 15
• Sweetest Day (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin), third Saturday in October. Involves giving small presents to family, friends and lovers
• Texas Independence Day (Texas)
• Truman Day (Missouri)
• Von Steuben Day, (mid-September, celebrated primarily by German Americans)

Non-holiday notable days

• Super Bowl Sunday (the first or second Sunday in February; 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)
• Cricket World Cup is watched by a quarter of the world's population. Its popularity in the United States has made many offices and shops close particularly where Indians and Pakistanis work. The article cites Chicago as an example, however the phenomenon is prevalent throughout the United States.^[153][154]
• Super Tuesday (political event, variable)
• 420 (April 20th; counterculture holiday in which participants meet and consume cannabis)
• Tax Freedom Day (day in which an average citizen is said to have worked enough to pay his or her taxes for the year)
• Opening Day (first week of April; 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)
• Star Wars Day (unofficial holiday created by fans to honor the Star Wars franchise. Typically May 4 for the pun "May the fourth be with you")
• Pi Day (March 14) (On March 14 for the pi number 3.14)
• Free Comic Book Day (an annual promotional effort started in 2002 to bring in new consumers to independent comic book stores, takes place the first Saturday in May)
• Go Skateboarding Day (June 21).
• International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19): a tongue-in-cheek holiday celebrating Pirate culture
• 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)
• Small Business Saturday (The day after Black Friday; encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local)
• Cyber Monday (The equivalent of Black Friday, except online, the Monday after Black Friday)
• Festivus (December 23): made famous on the television show Seinfeld.
• Spring Break (one week in late winter or spring that schools are off)
• Summer Vacation (summer months in which schools are off)

See also

• United States federal observances
• Holidays in Puerto Rico
• Mexican fiestas in the United States
• Easter controversy
• Christmas controversy
• Hallmark holiday
• Tax holiday

References

External links

• U.S. Department of Commerce Federal Holiday Calendar
• Text of Federal Holiday Legislation
• Bizarre American Holidays – a comprehensive compilation of special recognition given both to months and individual days. Unfortunately, the origins of the commemorations aren't provided.
• Infoplease: State Holidays
• Federal Holidays: Evolution and Application, CRS Report for Congress, 98-301 GOV, updated February 8, 1999, by Stephen W. Stathis

Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States January New Year's Day (federal) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (federal) Confederate Heroes Day (TX) Idaho Human Rights Day (ID) Lee–Jackson Day (formerly Lee–Jackson–King Day) (VA) Robert E. Lee Day (FL, GA) Stephen Foster Memorial Day (36) Kansas Day (KS) February Valentine's Day Washington's Birthday (federal, also known as "Presidents' Day") Georgia Day (GA) Lincoln's Birthday (CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NJ, NY, WV) Primary Election Day (WI) Ronald Reagan Day (CA) Rosa Parks Day (CA, OH) Susan B. Anthony Day (CA, FL, NY, WI, WV) National Freedom Day (36) Ash Wednesday (religious) Courir de Mardi Gras (religious) Four Chaplains Day Groundhog Day American Heart Month Black History Month March Easter (religious, sometimes in April) Saint Patrick's Day (religious) Spring break (week) Good Friday (CT, NC, PR, religious, sometimes in April) Casimir Pulaski Day (IL) Cesar Chavez Day (CA, CO, TX) Evacuation Day (MA) Mardi Gras (AL (in two counties), LA) Maryland Day (MD) Passover (religious, sometimes in April) Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day (HI) Seward's Day (AK) Texas Independence Day (TX) Town Meeting Day (VT) Ash Wednesday (religious) Courir de Mardi Gras (religious) Easter Monday (religious) Palm Sunday (religious, week, sometimes in April) Saint Joseph's Day (religious) Women's History Month National Poison Prevention Week (week) Super Tuesday April Easter (religious, sometimes in March) April Fool's Day Arbor Day Confederate Memorial Day (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC) Emancipation Day (DC) Thomas Jefferson's Birthday (AL) Patriots' Day (MA, ME) San Jacinto Day (TX) Mahavir Jayanti (religious) 420 Day Earth Day Walpurgis Night (religious) Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust (week) Confederate History Month (month) May Memorial Day (federal) Mother's Day Cinco de Mayo Harvey Milk Day (CA) Truman Day (MO) Malcolm X Day (Berkeley, CA) Law Day (36) Loyalty Day (36) National Day of Prayer (36) National Defense Transportation Day (36) National Maritime Day (36) Peace Officers Memorial Day (36) Military Spouse Day May Day Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (month) Jewish American Heritage Month (month) June Father's Day (36) Flag Day (FL, PA) Odunde Festival (Philadelphia, PA) Emancipation Day In Texas / Juneteenth (TX) Helen Keller Day (PA) Jefferson Davis Day (AL, FL) Kamehameha Day (HI) West Virginia Day (WV) Honor America Days (week) Senior Week (week) Carolina Day (SC) Gay and Lesbian Pride Month (month) July Independence Day (federal) Pioneer Day (UT) Parents' Day (36) Honor America Days (week) August Summer vacation Bennington Battle Day (VT) Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day (HI) Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (TX) Service Reduction Day (MD) Victory over Japan Day (RI) National Aviation Day (36) Women's Equality Day (36) American Family Day (AZ) September Labor Day (federal) Rosh Hashanah (religious) Yom Kippur (religious) Native American Day (CA) Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day (36) Constitution Day (36) Gold Star Mothers Day (36) National Grandparents Day (36) Patriot Day (36) Constitution Week (week) National Payroll Week (week) National Hispanic Heritage Month (month) National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (month) Eid al-Fitr (NY, MI) October Halloween Columbus Day (federal) Alaska Day (AK) Missouri Day (MO) Native American Day (SD) Nevada Day (NV) Child Health Day (36) Leif Erikson Day (36) White Cane Safety Day (36) Yom Kippur (religious) General Pulaski Memorial Day Sweetest Day National School Lunch Week (week) Filipino American History Month (month) LGBT History Month (month) National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (month) National Disability Employment Awareness Month (month) National Hispanic Heritage Month (month) International Day of Non-Violence German-American Day November Thanksgiving (federal) Day after Thanksgiving (24) Veterans Day (federal) Election Day (CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, WV) Family Day (NV) Native American Heritage Day (MD) Obama Day (Perry County, AL) Hanukkah (religious) Native American Indian Heritage Month (month) December Christmas (religious, federal) Kwanzaa (religious, week) Christmas Eve (KY, NC) New Year's Eve Hanukkah (religious, week) Alabama Day (AL) Indiana Day (IN) New Year's Eve (KY) Rosa Parks Day (CA, OH) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (36) Pan American Aviation Day (36) Wright Brothers Day (36) Festivus Varies Eid al-Adha (religious) Ramadan (religious, month) Eid al-Fitr (religious) Legend: (federal) = federal holidays, (state) = state holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (week) = weeklong holidays, (month) = monthlong holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies Bolded text indicates major holidays that are commonly celebrated by Americans, which often represent the major celebrations of the month. See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, public holidays in the United States, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, New Jersey and New York.

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