Information about the official federal holidays recognized
and observed by the United States Government. On these special
days all non-essential government offices are closed and
the employees of those offices are paid.
January
New Year's Day
Celebrates the first day of the Gregorian calendar year.
Usually observed on January 1. Observed on the closest
Monday or Friday if January 1st falls on a weekend.
Activities typically include fireworks and drinking
champagne at midnight on New Year's Eve.
and activities such as polar plunges (swimming in ice cold water)
and group running events on New Year's Day.
January
Martin Luther King Day
Honors Martin Luther King, Jr. and his non-violent civil
disobedience activities in support
of African American civil rights.
Martin Luther King was born on January 15 1929
and he was killed by a gunman at age 39 on April 4, 1968
at the Lorraine Motel, which now a privately owned museum
known as the
National Civil Rights Museum.
the MLK Day holiday is observed on the third Monday of January.
January (every 4 years)
Inauguration Day
Observed every four years on the day the incoming president
of the United States is inaugurated into office.
Usually observed on January 20th, but observed on
Monday the 21st if the 20th is a Sunday.
February
Washington's Birthday
A day honoring George Washington, the first
president of the United States.
Historically it was observed on February 22
because George Washington was born on February 22, 1732,
but today the holiday is observed every year on
the third Monday of February. Note that many
U.S. states and companies call this holiday
President's Day to also honor Abraham Lincoln
and other presidents, but the federal holiday
is still known as Washington's Birthday.
May
Memorial Day
Honors those who gave up their lives while serving
in the United States Military. Today it is also
often observed as a day to honor loved ones who have died.
Observed the last Monday of May.
Considered by many to mark the beginning of the summer recreational
season in the United States.
Memorial Day has it roots in a day established
in the 1800's to decorate the graves of
those who died in the U.S. Civil War.
Also known as "Decoration Day" because one of its
most notable activities is still placing flags, flowers,
or other items of the graves of veterans.
July
Independence Day
Commemorates the adoption of the
United States Declaration of Independence from Great Britain
on July 4, 1776.
Usually observed on July 4. Observed on the closest
Monday or Friday if July 4th falls on a weekend.
the United States Independence Day holiday is
commonly known as the Fourth of July holiday.
It is most typically celebrated by fireworks displays,
parades, and family barbecues, and picnics in the park.
September
Labor Day
Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labor movement.
Observed the first Monday of September.
Considered by many to mark the end of the summer recreational
season in the United States.
October
Columbus Day
Commemorates the October 12, 1492
arrival of Christopher Columbus on one of the
Bahamas Islands in the Caribbean region of Pan America.
Historically observed on October 12 but now
observed the second Monday of October.
First designated a federal holiday by U.S. President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1934.
November
Veterans Day
Honors all veterans of the armed forces and
especially the surviving veterans of wars and other battles.
Observed on November 11.
November
Thanksgiving Day
Day of thanksgiving which has its roots in
a historic dinner shared by Wampanoag Native Americans
and recently arrived European pilgrims to
celebrate the colony's first successful harvest in 1621.
Observed the fourth Thursday of November.
Note that while the federal government does
not observe the day after Thanksgiving as
a holiday, many of the 50 states and other
U.S. employers do.
December
Christmas Day
Christian and U.S federal holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Usually observed on December 25. Observed on the closest
Monday or Friday if December 25th falls on a weekend.
Holidays in the United States
Other Events in the United States
Travel Guide for 50 USA States
