Holidays Galore: From National to Religious to Cultural to Just Plain Weird

The summer months seem to have the knack for bringing out the nostalgia in us to celebrate, whether it's for a specific reason or for no reason at all other than to stuff our mouths with succulent dishes. Generally speaking, celebrating a holiday means to take a break from work (or school) in commemoration of a special event. This ability to partake in festivities with family and friends has always been the mainstay in American society.

Perhaps singer Madonna said it best in her song, Holiday:

Chorus
Holiday Celebrate, Holiday Celebrate

If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be, it would be so nice"

The U.S. federal (not necessarily state) holidays have been around since the 1870's and the United States is certainly no different from other countries in recognizing individuals and/or special events.

As of 2008, there are 10 national (federal) holidays that are recognized:

January 1^st, New Year's Day

January 21^st, Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday

February 18^th, Washington's Birthday

May 26^th, Memorial Day

July 4^th, Independence Day

Sept. 1^st, Labor Day

October 13^th, Columbus Day

November 11^th, Veterans Day

November 27^th, Thanksgiving Day

December 25^th, Christmas Day
Every 4^th year, an eleventh holiday is added for the swearing-in ceremony for a new president--January 20^th, Inauguration Day.

Of course, the list doesn't stop there. There are numerous days celebrated for religious, cultural and every other reason under the sun, here are some examples:

Religious/Secular:

Epiphany

Muharram

Ash Wednesday

Chinese New Year

St. Valentine's Day

Palm Sunday

St. Patrick's Day

Mawlid al-Nabi

Good Friday

Easter Sunday

Passover

First Day of Ramadan

Hanukkah

Kwanzaa

Miscellaneous:

Ground Hog Day

Mardi Gras

April Fool's Day

Mother's Day

Father's Day

Grandparent's Day

Honorable Mentions;

Leap Year Day (if it's leap year)

Flag Day

Halloween

Election Day (of more importance these days)

What's really expressive of our culture is the ability to "make up" a day to celebrate. It's kind of like the scenario of, why do we climb the mountain?--well, we do it because it's there! That is the same kind of reasoning of why we have some of the most unusual holidays that are recognized.

Unique/Unusual:

January 14^th, National Dress Up Your Pet Day

January 27^th, Thomas Crapper Day (the man who invented the flush toilet)

February 7^th, Charles Dickens Day

February 16^th, Do A Grouch A Favor Day

March 5^th, Multiple Personalities Day (ummmm......no comment)

March 22^nd, National Goof-Off Day

April 4^th, Tell-A-Lie Day (again.....no comment)

April 20^th, Look Alike Day

May 3^rd, Lumpy Rug Day

May 28^th, National Hamburger Day

June 8^th, Name Your Poison Day

June 30^th, Meteor Day

July 6^th, National Fried Chicken Day

July 26^th, All Or Nothing Day

August 6^th, Wiggle Your Toes Day

August 25^th, Kiss-And-Make-Up Day (I think I like this one)

September 2^nd, National Beheading Day (WHAT?!!!)

September 28^th, Ask A Stupid Question Day (I do this everyday)

October 9^th, Moldy Cheesy Day

October 22^nd, National Nut Day (no pun intended?)

November 6^th, Marooned Without A Compass Day

November 30^th, Stay At Home Because You're Well Day

December 1^st, Eat A Red Apple Day

December 26^th, National Whiners Day

Just Plain Weird:

May 13^th, Leprechaun Day

June 4^th, Old Maid's Day

October 14^th, Be Bald And Free Day

November 9^th, Chaos Never Dies Day

December 12^th, National Ding-A-Ling Day

So whether it be a "normal" or "out of the norm" observance......let's hear it for the holidays and celebrate!!!