The United States has adopted legislation which moved the celebration of some holidays to the Monday nearest the date of the event that the holiday commemorated. The purpose of this legislation was to create as many "three-day weekends" as possible. Four principal national holidays did not change with this legislation, and are celebrated on the same day/date each year New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Another principle holiday, Labor Day, has traditionally been celebrated on Monday.
The following are the most popular holidays. Of the holidays on the list, not all are celebrated throughout the US and not all holidays are celebrated by everyone. Some are holidays only for members of certain religions, others are for particular groups. The following list indicates which are federal holidays (when government offices, banks and post offices are closed) and which are business holidays (when many businesses are closed).
Those marked with a (*) are federal legal holidays.
*New Year's Day (January 1) Celebration of New Year's Day usually occurs the night before on New Year's Eve. January 1st a legal and business holiday.
*Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday (third Monday in January) The birthday of a famous US civil rights leader. This is a legal holiday in some states.
St. Valentine's Day (February 14) A day to exchange greetings of love or admiration. Children in elementary school exchange valentine cards and candy.
*President's Day (third Monday in February) Honoring United States Presidents, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both born in February. This is a legal holiday.
St. Patrick's Day (March 17) Honoring St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland. The color green, representing Ireland, is associated with this holiday.
Good Friday (celebrated sometime in March or April depending on the lunar calendar) The day Christians remember the death of Jesus Christ.
Easter (the Sunday after Good Friday) The day Christians remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April Fool's Day (April 1) A day when people often play practical jokes on others.
Mother's Day (second Sunday in May) A day to celebrate and give special attention to Mothers and Grandmothers.
Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) Remembrances of the those killed during wars.
*Independence Day (July 4) Celebration of United States Independence from Great Britain in 1776. A legal and business holiday.
*Labor Day (first Monday in September) Commemoration of the working person. A legal and business holiday.
Columbus Day (second Monday in October) Honoring Christopher Columbus, who discovered the Americas in 1492. This is a legal holiday.
Halloween (October 31) A day that young children dress in costumes and collect candy from neighbors (called "trick or treating").
Election Day (first Tuesday in November) This is NOT a legal or business holiday, but people may leave work temporarily to vote in municipal, county, state, and national elections.
*Veterans Day (November 11) Remembrance of all who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as the ending of World Wars I and II (also called Armistice Day). This is a legal holiday.
*Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) A time to give thanks to for the year's blessings. This is a legal and business holiday.
*Christmas (December 25) The day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many see Christmas as the grandest holiday in the United States that includes hanging of many colorful lights and decorations. It is a widely celebrated day for families to gather for feasts and the exchange of gifts. Santa Claus is the mythical figure who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve. This is a legal and business holiday.
Many communities have public celebrations or a parade on federal legal holidays especially on Independence Day, which is usually celebrated with fireworks. Churches give special programs on Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. You are welcome to attend these services, even if you are not Christian. Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter also are special times for American families to gather together for festive dinners.