Congress and the president have selected ten days as federal holidays. Being 'federal', these holidays theoretically only apply to federal employees and inhabitants of the District of Columbia, although they are so widely observed that they can be thought of as national holidays.
Officially, it is up to each individual state to designate public holidays. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Friday before or the Monday after is given in lieu to make a long weekend.
New Year's Day (January 1) - celebrating the New Year dates back to pre-Christian times, when rites were performed to attempt to ensure the return of Spring.
Martin Luther King Jnr. Day (third Monday in January) - before he was shot dead in 1968, Martin Luther King Jnr. was the foremost civil rights leader in the 1950's and 1960's. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Congress set this day aside to commemorate his life and accomplishments in 1983.
Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February) - originally it was celebrated on Washington's actual birthday, the 22nd of February, but it was moved in 1971 to make a long weekend. It is sometimes called Presidents' Day, because it is near Lincoln's birthday on the 12th February.
Memorial Day (last Monday in May) - also known as Decoration Day, it honours soldiers fallen in battle.It originates from the Civil War and is customarily marked by parades and services.
Independence Day (4th July) - this, the most significant US holiday, marks the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. It was first celebrated in 1777 and is marked by fireworks, parades and speeches.
Labor Day (first Monday in September) - this, the idea of Peter J. McGuire, the president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was adopted in 1894 to celebrate American workers.
Columbus Day (second Monday in October) - Christopher Columbus and his crew landed in the Bahamas on Oct 12th 1492. It was first commemorated in 1792, although it was not officially recognized until 1909. It is a cause of special pride to Italian-Americans, who claim the Genoan voyager as their own.
Veterans Day (Nov 11th) - or Armistice Day marks the end of the First World War on Nov 11th 1918. It was made a legal holiday in 1938, but its name was changed in 1954 to honour all American veteran soldiers.
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) - it was first commemorated in Plymouth County, Massachusetts in 1621, the year in which the Pilgrims landed in the New World to give thanks for the new harvest and the new land they had colonized. President Lincoln proclaimed it a holiday in 1863.
Christmas Day (December 25th) - Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Officially, it is up to each individual state to designate public holidays. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Friday before or the Monday after is given in lieu to make a long weekend.
New Year's Day (January 1) - celebrating the New Year dates back to pre-Christian times, when rites were performed to attempt to ensure the return of Spring.
Martin Luther King Jnr. Day (third Monday in January) - before he was shot dead in 1968, Martin Luther King Jnr. was the foremost civil rights leader in the 1950's and 1960's. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Congress set this day aside to commemorate his life and accomplishments in 1983.
Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February) - originally it was celebrated on Washington's actual birthday, the 22nd of February, but it was moved in 1971 to make a long weekend. It is sometimes called Presidents' Day, because it is near Lincoln's birthday on the 12th February.
Memorial Day (last Monday in May) - also known as Decoration Day, it honours soldiers fallen in battle.It originates from the Civil War and is customarily marked by parades and services.
Independence Day (4th July) - this, the most significant US holiday, marks the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. It was first celebrated in 1777 and is marked by fireworks, parades and speeches.
Labor Day (first Monday in September) - this, the idea of Peter J. McGuire, the president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was adopted in 1894 to celebrate American workers.
Columbus Day (second Monday in October) - Christopher Columbus and his crew landed in the Bahamas on Oct 12th 1492. It was first commemorated in 1792, although it was not officially recognized until 1909. It is a cause of special pride to Italian-Americans, who claim the Genoan voyager as their own.
Veterans Day (Nov 11th) - or Armistice Day marks the end of the First World War on Nov 11th 1918. It was made a legal holiday in 1938, but its name was changed in 1954 to honour all American veteran soldiers.
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) - it was first commemorated in Plymouth County, Massachusetts in 1621, the year in which the Pilgrims landed in the New World to give thanks for the new harvest and the new land they had colonized. President Lincoln proclaimed it a holiday in 1863.
Christmas Day (December 25th) - Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with non-religious beliefs. If you want to know more go to What is Religious Belief?
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