Public holidays in the United States | |
---|---|
Observed by | Federal government State governments Local governments Private and public sector employers |
Type | National |
The schedule of public holidays in the United States is largely influenced by the schedule of federal holidays but is controlled by private sector employers who employ 62% of the total US population with paid time off. A typical work week has historically been 40 hours a week with a Saturday–Sunday weekend, although many professionals are currently expected to work 50 hours a week for fixed salary.
Public holidays with paid time off is generally defined to occur on a day that is within the employee's work week. When a holiday occurs on Saturday or Sunday, that holiday is shifted to either Friday or Monday. Most employers follow a holiday schedule similar to the federal holidays of the United States, with exceptions or additions. The federal holiday schedule mainly benefits employees of government and government regulated businesses. However, this sector only comprises 15% of the working population.
At the discretion of the employer, other non-federal holidays such as Christmas Eve and the Day after Thanksgiving are common additions to the list of paid holidays while Columbus Day and Veterans Day are common omissions. Besides paid holidays are festival and food holidays that also have wide acceptance based on sales of goods and services that are typically associated with that holiday. Halloween and Valentine's Day are such examples of widely celebrated uncompensated holidays.
Public holidays had their origins from established federal holidays that were enacted by Congress. They were typically observed on days that have significance for various sectors of American society and are observed at all levels of society including government, the private sector, and are typically derived from the history, religion and the cultures of the US demographics and have changed over time. Observances of holidays are most commonly observed with paid time off, however, many holiday celebrations are done with festivities without time off. Some are observed with community work depending on the meaning of the holiday. They are however not mandated by any government, agencies, whether it be federal, state, or local governments. There are no national holidays on which all businesses are closed by law. Federal holidays are only established for certain federally chartered and regulated businesses (such as federal banks), and for Washington, DC All other public holidays are created by the States; most states also allow local jurisdictions (cities, villages, etc.) to establish their own local holidays. As a result, holidays have not historically been governed at the federal level and federal law does not govern business opening. Some states restrict some business activities on some holidays.[1] Business closures are mandated on some holidays in some states for certain kinds of businesses by Blue Laws. For example, some businesses cannot open on Thanksgiving Day in some New England states if the businesses operated on more than 5000 square feet of space. The most notable businesses to close on such occasions are car dealerships and establishments selling alcohol.
As of 2012[update], there were eleven federal holidays in the United States, ten annual holidays and one quadrennial holiday (Inauguration Day).[2] Pursuant to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 (effective 1971), official holidays are observed on a Monday, except for New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.[3]
While all current federal holidays have also been made public holidays in all 50 states for federal organizations, each state is not bound to observe the holidays on the same dates as the federal holidays. Many states also have additional holidays that are not observed by the federal government.[4] Many businesses likewise observe certain holidays as well, which are also not mandated by any government agency. A list of "recommended diversity holidays" recognizes many cultures that range from Christianity to Islam, as well as racial diversity where various ethnic holidays such as St. Patrick's Day, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Mardi Gras, and Cinco de Mayo are celebrated by individuals in the workplace, as a matter of best practice.[5] In light of recent race issues in the United States, many municipalities both at the city and state levels have begun celebrating Malcolm X Day and Rosa Parks Day in addition to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to embrace the mostly disenfranchised African American community in the form of festivals and parades if not done as a legal public holiday. Illinois and Berkeley, California are two places where Malcolm X is honored with a legal holiday with offices closed whereas Missouri honored Rosa Parks on her birthday.[6][7] Today, the United States is the 85th most ethnically diverse country in the world. While the popularity of each public holiday cannot easily be measured, the holiday with the highest greeting card sales is Christmas.[8] Major retail establishments such as malls, shopping centers and most retail stores close only on Thanksgiving and Christmas and some on Easter Sunday as well, but remain open on all other holidays (early closing on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and sometimes on other major holidays); in the face of a rapidly tightening retail market in the 2010s, retailers have been increasingly opening on Thanksgiving to extend the holiday shopping season.[9] Virtually all companies observe and close on the major holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). Some non-retail business close on the day after Thanksgiving, while some (such as federal banks and post offices) are not allowed to close on the day after Thanksgiving. Some smaller businesses normally open on Sunday will close on Easter Sunday, if it is their experience they will have very few customers that day.[10]
Rank | Date | Holiday | % of Americans celebrating | USD sales (in billions)[11] | Music symbolic of holiday | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | December 25 (Fixed) | Christmas | 92–96%[12][13][14][15] | $630.5 | Many Christmas carols and songs, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", "Silent Night", and "Jingle Bells" | Christmas celebrations are evidenced by decorations which give off light and exchanging of gifts between family members and friends. Most popular based on greeting card sales. About 6.5 billion cards per year or $8 billion annual sales.[citation needed] Also known for having the second highest church attendance.[16] Major symbols of this holiday are the Christmas tree and Christmas music. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. |
2 | November 22–28 (Floating Thursday) | Thanksgiving | 87–90%[17][18] | (part of Christmas sales) | Traditional songs include "We Gather Together", "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come", "For the Beauty of the Earth" | One sixth of all turkeys eaten annually happens around Thanksgiving.[19] Holiday accounts for 46 million turkeys, compared with 22 million consumed on Christmas and 19 million on Easter.[20] Reduced turkey prices usually occur around Thanksgiving.[21] |
3 | May 8–14 (Floating Sunday) | Mother's Day | 84%[22][23] | $19.9 | Known for having the strongest restaurant sales, even compared with Valentine's Day.[24] It is also known for high church attendance after Easter and Christmas.[16] | |
4 | March 22 – April 25 (Floating Sunday) | Easter | 80–81%[25][26] | $16.4 | Many Christian hymns | Highest church attendance happens on Easter.[16] |
5 | July 4 (Fixed) | Independence Day (Fourth of July) | 78–79%[27] | $68.0 (Part of Back to School sales) |
Many American patriotic songs, including "The Star-Spangled Banner", "America the Beautiful", and "Yankee Doodle" | Holiday is best known for fireworks and barbecues. 45% of American celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks, accounting for about $675 million in fireworks sales.[28] |
6 | June 15–21 (Floating Sunday) | Father's Day | 75%[29] | $12.7 | Holiday accounts for the highest sales of ties and neck wear annually, around $12.7 billion.[30] | |
7 | October 31 (Fixed) | Halloween | 64–65%[31][32] | $6.9 | A few songs, including "Monster Mash", "Thriller" and "This Is Halloween" | Halloween celebrations are evidenced by children knocking door to door asking for treats, and costumed adolescents playing tricks on various households. Most popular based on candy sales, amounting to $2.6 billion in 2015.[33] Sales of $6.9 billion in 2015 includes candy, costumes, and pumpkin sales, all of which are directly attributed to this holiday.[34] |
8 | February 14 (Fixed) | Valentine's Day | 55%[35] | $18.9 | Holiday accounts for 224 million roses grown for the holiday. 24% of American adults purchased flowers for Valentine's Day in 2015.[36] Holiday comes in second in terms of annual restaurant sales.[24] | |
9 | March 17 (Fixed) | Saint Patrick's Day | 51%[37] | $4.4 | Irish pub songs, such as "The Wild Rover" | |
10 | December 31 (Fixed) | New Year's Day (New Year's Eve) | 37–45%[38][39][40] | (Part of Christmas sales) | A few songs, including "Auld Lang Syne" | Known for being the most drunk holiday.[41] This is evidenced by the spike in sales around "the holidays", which usually happens between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.[42] |
The labor force in the United States comprises about 62% (as of 2014) of the general population.[43] In the United States, 97% of the private sector businesses determine what days this sector of the population gets paid time off, according to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management. The following holidays are observed by the majority of US businesses with paid time off:
This list of holidays is based off the official list of federal holidays by year from the US Government. The holidays however are at the discretion of employers whose statistics are measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another list from the Society for Human Resource Management shows actual percentages of employers offering paid time off for each holiday. The term "major holiday" (bolded) coincides for those holidays that 90% or more of employers offered paid time off.[45]
Date | *Official name | Percentage of Americans celebrating | **Percentage of businesses offering paid time off[46] | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
January 1 (fixed) | New Year's Day[47] | 72%[48] | 96% | Celebrates beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to 12:00 midnight on the preceding night, New Year's Eve, often with fireworks display and party. The ball drop at Times Square in New York City has become a national New Year's festivity. Traditional end of Christmas and holiday season.[49] |
January 15–21 (floating Monday) | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | 26%[50] | 34–38% | Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader, who was actually born on January 15, 1929; combined with other holidays in several states. Some cities and municipalities hold parades; and more recently, the 1994 King Holiday and Service Act, which was passed to encourage Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service, has gained in popularity (sometimes referred to as a National Day of Service). |
January 20 or 21 | Inauguration Day | N/A | 0% | Celebrates the United States presidential inauguration, every 4 years. While this is a federal holiday, this is not a "public holiday". Only Washington, DC observes this day besides the federal government.[51] |
February 15–21 (floating Monday) | Washington's Birthday | 52%[52] | 34–35% | 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 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.[53] |
May 25–31 (floating Monday) | Memorial Day | 21%[54] | 95% | 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 (fixed) | Independence Day | 79% | 97% | Celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence from British rule, also called the Fourth of July or simply "The Fourth". Fireworks celebration are held in many cities throughout the nation. Boston, Massachusetts is famous for its "Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular" with music and fireworks |
September 1–7 (floating Monday) | Labor Day | 53%[55][56] | 95% | Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labor movement; marks the unofficial end of the summer season. |
October 8–14 (floating Monday) | Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day | 8%[57] | 13–16% | Honors Christopher Columbus, the first European to land in mainland Americas after Leif Erikson. In a growing number of locations this day is observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day, in honor of the Native Americans who lived in the Americas long before Columbus "discovered" the area. |
November 11 (fixed) | Veterans Day | 43%[58] | 16–21% | 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 (GMT +1) of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect). |
November 22–28 (floating Thursday) | Thanksgiving Day | 87%[17] | 97% | Traditionally celebrates the giving of thanks for the autumn harvest. Traditionally includes the sharing of a turkey dinner. |
December 25 (fixed) | Christmas | 90–95%[12][59] | 94% | The most widely celebrated holiday of the Christian year, Christmas is observed as a commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. |
An academic year typically spans from early fall to early summer, with two or three months of summer vacation marking the end of the year. K-12 public schools generally observe local, state, and federal holidays, plus additional days off around Thanksgiving, the period from before Christmas until after New Year's Day, a spring break (usually a week in April) and sometimes a winter break (a week in February or March). Two or three days per year are sometimes devoted to professional development for teachers and students have the day off.
Most colleges and universities divide the school year into two semesters. The fall semester often begins the day after Labor Day in early September and runs until mid-December. The spring semester typically starts in the middle or end of January and runs until May. Winter and summer classes might be offered in January and May–August. Major federal, state, and local holidays are often observed, including the day after and usually before Thanksgiving. Spring break is usually a week in March or early April, and in elementary and secondary school and college party culture traditionally involves a warm-weather trip.
Unscheduled weather-related cancellations and emergency cancellations can also affect school calendars.
When taking summer school or summer camp schedules into account, the Independence Day holiday on July 4 is usually a scheduled holiday observance for which the summer program closes.
The federal government sector labor force consisted of about 2,729,000 (as of 2014) of the total labor force of 150,539,900, which is about 2% of the total labor force or about 1% of the total population. In addition, state and local governments consist of another 19,134,000 bringing the total government sector employees to about 15% of the total labor force.[61] This sector of the population is entitled to paid time off designated as federal holidays by Congress in Title V of the United States Code (5 U.S.C. § 6103). Both federal and state government employees generally observe the same federal holidays.
US banks generally observe the federal holidays because of their reliance on the U.S. Federal Reserve for certain activities such as wire transfers and ACH transactions.[62] For example, JP Morgan Chase observes all federal holidays except Columbus Day,[63] while U.S. Bank observes all of them.[64]
The New York Stock Exchange also closely follows the federal holidays except for Columbus Day. However, the agency also has extra holidays on the day before Independence Day and Good Friday.
In general, most state governments observe the same holidays that the federal government observes. However, while that is true for most states, every state includes and omits holidays to fit the culture relevant to its population.
Holiday | Number of states observed with government offices closed | Remarks |
---|---|---|
New Year's Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day |
50 | These holidays are unanimously observed by the state governments of all 50 states. |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 45 | Signed into law in 1983, but not observed by all states until 2000, with Utah officially observing as a paid state holiday. Five states observe this day using alternate name "Civil Rights Day" or holiday is combined to also honor Robert E. Lee. |
Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | 38[65] | Alternatively observed separately as George Washington's or Lincoln's Birthday. |
Columbus Day | 23[66] | Fewer than half the states recognize Columbus Day. |
Day after Thanksgiving | 18[67] | Observed by Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. |
Good Friday | 12[67] | Observed by Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee. |
Christmas Eve | 11 | Observed by Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
Election Day | 10 | Observed by Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island |
Day after Christmas | 6[67][68] | Observed by Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and the US Virgin Islands. |
Lincoln's Birthday | 5[67] | Observed by Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, and New York |
New Year's Eve | 4 | Observed by Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. |
Lincoln's Birthday (February 12) was removed from California's education holiday calendar in 2009.[75]
Florida's laws separately defines "paid holidays" versus "legal holidays", which does not have any obligation to include as "paid holidays".
Florida's laws separate the definitions between paid versus legal holidays. The following list shows only the legal holidays that were not defined as "paid holidays":
Texas has three types of state holidays: those on which all state offices are closed, and "partial staffing" and "optional" holidays on which offices are open but with reduced staffing.
The following days are full holidays where all state offices are closed:
Texas law designates that the state businesses be "partially staffed" on the following holidays. These holidays can be replaced with an optional holiday per the state employee's choice, but will give up one of these in lieu of the optional holiday.
Texas law allows a state employee to replace a partial staffing holiday with one of the following holidays. On these holidays, the state agency is generally required to stay open with minimum staff.
Wisconsin's public schools are obligated to observe the 21 days designated by Wisconsin Statute section 118.02 on the designated day unless the day falls on Saturday or Sunday, in which case would move the observance to either the preceding Friday or following Monday. The statutes require the public schools to include instruction relating to the holidays. In this list of holidays, all schools remain open.
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,[101] and New Hampshire,[102] Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee's Birthdays in Arkansas,[103] Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Florida,[104] and Maryland,[105] Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day in Idaho,[106] and Martin Luther King's and Robert E. Lee's Birthdays in Mississippi.[107] ^ b. Washington's Birthday is known officially as President's Day in Alaska,[108] California,[109] Hawaii,[110] Idaho,[106] Maryland,[105] Nebraska,[111] New Hampshire,[102] Tennessee,[112] Washington,[113] West Virginia,[114] and Wyoming,[115] Washington-Lincoln Day in Colorado (CRS 24-11-101),[116] Ohio,[117] Lincoln/Washington/Presidents' Day in Arizona,[101] George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day in Arkansas,[103] Presidents' Day in Hawaii,[110] Massachusetts,[118] New Mexico,[119] North Dakota,[120] Oklahoma,[121] South Dakota,[122] Texas,[68] and Vermont,[123] Washington's Birthday/President's Day in Maine,[124] Presidents Day in Michigan,[125] Minnesota,[126] Nevada,[127] New Jersey,[128] and Oregon,[129] Lincoln's and Washington's Birthday in Montana,[130] Washington and Lincoln Day in Utah,[131] and George Washington Day in Virginia.[132] ^ The day after Thanksgiving is observed in lieu of Columbus Day in Minnesota.[126] ^ Columbus Day is listed as a state holiday in New Hampshire although state offices remain open.[102] ^ 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.[133][134]
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.[136]
The majority of Americans (73–80%) identify themselves as Christians and about 15–20% have no religious affiliation.[137] 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.[138] The same survey says that other religions (including, for example, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, 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.[139]
The following memorialize the historic Confederate States of America from the American Civil War:
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 86% of the population over 18 drinks alcohol recreationally or socially.[144] In the United States, the holidays that are considered the most "festive" are generally regarded as some of the "most drunken holidays." Celebrations usually revolve around barbecues and beer. Although many of these holidays lack any official status, these holidays are generally observed by the drinking culture for the fact that these holidays revolve around drinking. One measurement of the popularity of these holidays can be measured by the amount of alcohol purchased for the occasion. One particular survey names New Year's Eve as the holiday for which the most alcohol is consumed based on sales.[145] While many holidays are listed, some are generally notable for their drinking requirement while others are known for abstinence.[146]
Date | Name | Remarks |
---|---|---|
February 1–7 (floating Sunday) | Super Bowl Sunday | Usually served at a private party while watching the Super Bowl. |
February 3 – March 9 (floating Tuesday using Computus) | Mardi Gras | Any alcohol. |
March 17 | St. Patrick's Day | Usually celebrated with green beer. |
April 1–7 | Opening Day | Ale or lager.[147] |
May 5 | Cinco de Mayo | Usually celebrated with a Mexican alcohol like tequila or Margarita. |
July 4 | Independence Day | Typically served while eating hot dogs and hamburgers. |
October 1–7 | Oktoberfest | Usually German beer. |
October 31 | Halloween | Usually served at Halloween parties. |
December 31 | New Year's Eve | Traditionally with champagne and is considered the "most drunk" of all American holidays. More alcohol is consumed on this holiday than any other day.[148] |
African Americans make up about 12% of the US population. While some customs have come from abroad, many of the customs were developed inside the United States. Kwanzaa, for example, is a custom has greatly influenced American culture originating from the "turbulent 60's" when race relations in the United States was at its lowest.[149] Most of the newer holidays revolve around a particular civil rights activist and have recently gained attention from city and state level governments. At the federal level, only Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored.
Date | Name[150] | Remarks |
---|---|---|
December 26 – January 1 | Kwanzaa | Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving.[151] Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga, and was first celebrated in 1966–67. |
January 15–21 (floating Monday) | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday marking the birthday of an African American. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. |
February 1–29 | Black History Month | Also known as the "African American History Month" which was set aside as an observance of important leaders of the African diaspora. |
February 4 or December 1 | Rosa Parks Day | Currently observed in the states of California, Missouri, and Ohio to honor the late civil rights leader Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks Day was created by the California State Legislature and first celebrated February 4, 2000.[152] The holiday was first designated in Ohio championed by Joyce Beatty, advocate who helped Ohio's legislation pass to honor the late leader.[153] In 2015, Missouri has declared Rosa Parks Day a legal holiday. |
March 10 | Harriet Tubman Day | Commemorates anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman for her accomplishments. Occurs two days after International Women's Day. |
April 16 (DC) | Emancipation Day | Currently observed in Washington, DC, Mississippi, Texas (as Juneteenth), Kentucky, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in observance of the emancipation of slaves of African descent. It is also observed in other areas in regard to the abolition of serfdom or other forms of servitude. |
May 19 | Malcolm X Day | Currently observed in Berkeley, California, and Illinois, this holiday honors Malcolm X as a civil rights leader as a legal holiday with offices closed. Various municipalities such as Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC have festivals commemorating the civil rights leader. |
June 19 | Juneteenth | Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in June 1865, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Celebrated on June 19, the term is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth[154][155] and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in most states. |
June 8–14 (floating Sunday) | African New Year | Celebrated as the "Odunde Festival" as a one-day festival and mostly a street market catered to African-American interests and the African diaspora. It is derived from the tradition of the Yoruba people of Nigeria in celebration of the new year. It is centered at the intersection of Grays Ferry Avenue and South Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. |
With 73% of the US population identifying themselves as Christian, many holidays from the liturgical calendar are observed by this segment of the population. With 94% of businesses including federal, state, and local governments closing on Christmas, arguably the most significant holiday of the Christian religion, many stores are also closed on Christmas, but with a relatively small exception. For example, convenience stores operating on less than 5,000 square feet of space such as 7-Eleven and CVS Pharmacy can remain open.[156] A reference in A Christmas Story shows a Chinese restaurant being the only establishment open on Christmas.
Some private businesses and certain other institutions are closed on Good Friday.[157] The financial market and stock market is closed on Good Friday.[158] 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]
Many companies, including banks, malls, shopping centers and most private retail stores that normally open on Sundays are closed on Easter.[10]
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 3 – March 9 (floating Tuesday using Computus) | 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. |
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. |
March 15 – April 18 (floating Sunday using Computus) | Palm Sunday | Celebration to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. |
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. |
March 20 – April 23 (floating Friday using Computus) | 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,[159] Delaware,[160] Florida,[161] Hawaii,[162] Indiana,[163] Kentucky,[164] Louisiana,[165] New Jersey,[166] North Carolina,[167] North Dakota,[168] Tennessee[169] and Texas.[170] 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 Guam,[171] U.S. Virgin Islands[172] and Puerto Rico.[173] 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. |
March 22 – April 25 (floating Sunday using 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.[174] 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. It is not generally observed by businesses, and is one of the most popular holidays in the US. |
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 some remain open. |
December 25 | Christmas | Is a federal holiday. |
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.[175][176] Holi, the "festival of colors" has inspired a Broadway musical based on this festival.[177] New York City Council has voted on a resolution that may make Diwali and Holi a legal holiday in Resolution 1863–2013.[178] As of August 2013, the resolution has passed and the holidays are now officially legal holidays in New York City.[179] CNN reported that the Diwali holiday is shown in American pop culture through an episode of The Office.[180][181]
Date | Name | Remarks |
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February or March (depends on Hindu calendar) | Holi | Holi (English: /ˈhoʊliː/) (Sanskrit: होली) is a spring festival also known as Festival of Colors, and sometimes Festival of Love.[182][183] 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.[184] |
October or November (depends on Hindu calendar) | Diwali | Diwali (English: /dɪˈwɑːliː/ or English: /dɪˈvɑːliː/) also called the Festival of lights", is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year.[185][186] The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.[170][187][188] 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. |
According to various sources, the three most commonly celebrated Jewish holidays are Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah.[189] Passover and Yom Kippur in addition to Rosh Hashannah and Hanukkah are recognized as an optional state level holiday in Texas[190][191] All Jewish holidays start the night before, as that is when the Jewish day begins.
Date | Name | Remarks |
---|---|---|
March 21 – April 24 (floating date) | Passover פסח | 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. In some regions with large Jewish populations, schools may close. |
May 9 – June 12 (floating date) | Shavuot שבועות | A two-day (one in Israel) festival celebrating the receiving of the Torah at Sinai and the harvest season of the Land of Israel. Many people have the custom to eat dairy foods, specifically cheesecake. |
September 5 – October 5 (floating date) | Rosh Hashanah ראש השנה | 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 14 – October 14 (floating date) | Yom Kippur יום כיפור | 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. |
September 19 – October 19 (floating date) | Sukkot סוכות | A nine-day (eight in Israel) holiday celebrating the huts Jews lived in for forty years after the Exodus before getting to Israel. It also celebrates the cloud of glory that protected the Jews in the desert during the same period. Jews eat, and some sleep, in a special hut called a sukkah outside their home for the first seven days. Also, the 'four species' or 'Arba Minim', ארבע מינים, the Lulav לולב or Palm Fran, the Etrog אתרוג or citron, the Aravot ערבות or willow branch, and the Hadasim הדסים, are shaken in the sukkah in the morning, as well as during prayers. The Seventh Day, known as Hoshanah Rabbah הושנה רבה is the last day of the season of repentance started on Rosh Hashanah, and has extra prayers in addition to the extra holiday prayers. The Eighth day is known as Shemini Atzeret שמיני עצרת and is to some degree considered a different holiday. The ninth day (or part of the eighth in Israel) is known as Simchat Torah שמחת תורה and celebrates he finishing of one cycle of reading the Torah or bible, and includes much joyous singing and dancing with the Torah scrolls during prayers. In many regions with large Jewish communities, schools close for all or part of Passover. |
November 28 – December 27 (floating date) | Hanukkah חנוכה | 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. |
February 23 – March 26 (floating date) | Purim פורים | A one-day holiday, celebrated the Jews being saved from a plot by Haman, the second-in-command to Persian king, Achasverosh, or Xerxes, to exterminate every single Jew. It is generally celebrated by reading the Book of Esther in Synagogue the preceding night (which, like all Jewish holidays, is actually part of the holiday) and in the morning, giving charity, giving presents of food baskets to at least two friends, and having a celebratory feast. Unlike most other Jewish holidays (other than Hannukah), work is allowed including using electricity, and other prohibited actions on Sabbath, and other holidays. The day before (or the Thursday before, if Purim is on a Sunday) is a fast day commemorating the fast of Esther before she met with King Achashverosh. In Jerusalem, Purim is celebrated the day after the rest of the world. |
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.[192][193][194] According to Al-Jazeera, schools in New York and Michigan (mainly Dearborn) may begin to close in observance of all Muslim holidays.[195]
Date | Name | Remarks |
---|---|---|
depends on Islamic calendar(in this year is on June and July) | Ramadan | Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn];[variations] Persian: رَمَضان Ramazān; Urdu / Punjabi رَمْضان Ramzān; Turkish: Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar;[196] Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting.[197][198] This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.[199] The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.[200][201] The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness.[202] Fasting is fard ("obligatory") for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.[203] 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. |
depends on Islamic calendar (in this year is on 16 of July) | 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[204] 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). |
depends on Islamic calendar (in this year is on 24 of September) | 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,[205] 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.[206] In the lunar-based Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days.[207] In the international Gregorian calendar, the dates vary from year to year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year. |
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);[10] 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 |
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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. |
one day first week of February | National Girls and Women in Sports Day | A day of observance recognizing women's contributions to sports and society. |
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. |
April 24–30 (floating Friday) | 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, which commemorates the labor movement and the ultimate triumph of socialism over capitalism. This theme borrows from the pagan origins of May Day which emphasized the change in season and the triumph of the warm sun over the cold winter. The holiday is often celebrated with parades and protests for workers' rights and other broad social issues. |
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 US 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. |
May 8–14 (floating Sunday) | Mother's Day | Honors mothers and motherhood (made a federal holiday by Presidential order, although most federal agencies are already closed on Sundays) |
June 1–7 (floating Sunday) | Children's Day | Proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2001 to honor children.[208] |
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. |
June 15–21 (floating Sunday) | 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 nationwide demonstration for equal rights, the Women's Strike for Equality, in 1970. |
September 4, 7–10, 12 ,13 (floating Sunday) | 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, DC), and United Airlines Flight 93 in 2001. |
September 17 | Constitution/Citizenship Day | Commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. |
October | Oktoberfest | 16-day folk festival drinking beer. Modeled after the original Oktoberfest from Munich, Germany. |
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. |
November 2–8 (floating Tuesday) | Election Day or Democracy Day | Observed by the federal and state governments in applicable years; legal holiday in some states. |
November 23–29 (floating Friday) | 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). |
December 7 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Day to mourn the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. |
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. |
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About nine-in-ten Americans (92%) and nearly all Christians (96%) say they celebrate Christmas, according to a 2013 Pew Research Center survey.
Despite the fact that only a little more than 80% of Americans identify with a Christian faith, 93% of those interviewed in a recent USA Today/Gallup poll indicate that they celebrate Christmas.
The Dec. 16–18 poll finds that 96% of all U.S. adults celebrate Christmas, a percentage that has been consistent over the past decade.
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More than nine out of 10 Americans will celebrate the holiday with family and friends.
Nearly 16 percent of adults surveyed by Prosper Insights & Analytics don't expect to celebrate the holiday.
80 percent of Americans will celebrate Easter.
This year, 80.6 percent of respondents in the United States said they are planning to celebrate Easter.
Nearly eight in 10 Americans (78%) say they will attend a picnic or barbecue, the most popular Fourth of July activity among those tested. Most Americans, 76%, will celebrate with family. Other common activities include displaying an American flag (66%) and attending fireworks displays (63%).
75.4 percent of Americans are planning to celebrate Father's Day.
64: Percent of Americans who plan to celebrate Halloween this year.
Almost two-thirds (64%) of American adults plan to celebrate Halloween or participate in Halloween activities this year, reports the NRF in a recent study.
More than half (54.9 percent) of Americans at least 18 years old said they plan to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, though the percentage of those who recognize the holiday drops off after the age of 44, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation.
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51.2% of Americans plan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in 2016.
37 percent plan to stay up to welcome in 2013 while 23 percent say they will entertain at home.
The percentage of those who plan to pray (66 percent) on New Year's Eve is larger than the respective percentage of those who are going to drink (42 percent), attend a party (21 percent), and go out for dinner with friends or family (18 percent) to celebrate the new year, the survey found.
45: The percent of American adults that say they will make a New Year's resolution.
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First Diwali day called Dhanteras or wealth worship. We perform Laskshmi-Puja in evening when clay diyas lighted to drive away shadows of evil spirits.
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