What Are the Federal Holidays Recognized in America?

Federal holidays are days of celebration or observance that are recognized by the United States government. Ten of them are marked by the closing of government offices, such as post offices, and often private businesses, such as banks.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day is always celebrated on January 1st. If this holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, it may be observed by post offices, banks, and government offices on the Friday before or the Monday following the holiday. Though most people ring in the new year with a celebration on New Year's Eve, only New Year's Day is considered a federal holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday

This holiday is observed every year on the third Monday in January. This federal holiday recognizes the important contributions Martin Luther King Jr. made to the American Civil Rights Movement.

Washington's Birthday

This federal holiday is known officially as Washington's Birthday, but is commonly referred to President's Day. It was originally recognized as a holiday to celebrate the February 22nd birthday of George Washington, but is now observed on the third Monday of February every year to also recognize the February 12th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a very important federal holiday, created to recognize the sacrifices of our nation's veterans who gave their lives in combat. Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War as Decoration Day, but was given its current official name in the 1960's. Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May.

Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated every year to recognize how, in July 1776, early Americans signed the Declaration of Independence and presented it to the British. Indepedence Day was made a federal holiday in 1876 and is officially celebrated on the July 4th every year. If Independence Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, banks and government offices such as the postal service may be closed the Friday prior to or the Monday after the holiday in observance.

Columbus Day
Christopher Columbus is a controversial figure in history, but many Americans recognize Columbus Day every year as a celebration of the day Christopher Columbus landed his ship in the Americas. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a federal holiday, and today it is celebrated on the second Monday of every October.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a federal holiday that was first observed at the close of World War I to celebrate the treaty which led to the war's end. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson enacted the holiday, called Armistice Day, and it became an official federal holiday in 1938. In honor of the contributions of the veterans of World War II, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954. Today, Americans celebrate Veterans Day as a chance to recognize all American veterans. Veterans Day is observed on November 11th. If November 11th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed on the weekday prior to or immediately after the 11th.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day as we know it was first declared an annual holiday by Abraham Lincoln, who gave the holiday its current celebration date, the third Thursday of November, in 1863. One hundred years later, in 1963, Thanksgiving Day was recognized as an official federal holiday. This holiday recognizes an event of sharing and cooperation which took place between early Euro American settlers and the American Natives whose land they settled on. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is not a federal holiday, even if it kicks off the start of the Christmas shopping season. The Pilgrims and the Natives had to get back to work, and you do, too.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th every year. The holiday itself has a colorful history, with originations in several different religions and countries. If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, like other federal holidays, government offices will be closed the Friday prior to or Monday following the 25th in observance of the holiday. Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, but it should be noted that some businesses and government offices may close early to allow employees to begin holiday celebrations with their families.

What About All of Those Other Holidays?

Federal holidays not observed by the closing of government offices include Citizenship Day, which takes place on September 17, and United Nations Day on October 24. Other holidays traditionally celebrated by many Americans, such as Easter, Halloween and Valentine's Day, are not recognized as federal holidays, no matter how much candy is bought.

Source:

http://www.patriotism.org/