In the United States there are ten public holidays that are observed by the Federal government however each state can designate other holidays as well. In 1971 the U.S. Congress determined that the observation of many of the public holidays would be observed on Mondays so that they don’t change each year. Some, however, like Independence Day or Christmas are observed on the actual date.
The ten public holidays that are observed nationally include the following:
§ New Year’s Day – January 1
§ Martin Luther King’s Birthday – Observed the third Monday in January
§ President’s Day – Observed the third Monday in February
§ Memorial Day – Observed the last Monday in May
§ Independence Day – July 4
§ Labor Day – Observed the first Monday in September
§ Columbus Day – Observed the second Monday in October
§ Veteran’s Day – November 11
§ Thanksgiving Day – Observed the fourth Thursday in November
§ Christmas Day – December 25
Often if a holiday such as New Year’s Day of Independence Day falls on a Tuesday for example, many private companies will also be closed the day before giving workers an opportunity for a four day weekend. Thanksgiving holiday usually includes the day after Thanksgiving for a company or a worker will ask for that additional day off, thereby giving them a longer holiday. This does not mean that the government offices such as the Post Office or other businesses are closed on those days, but private companies usually take advantage of the chance to give a longer holiday.
If a holiday falls on the weekend Saturday or Sunday it will often be observed the day before on Friday or the day after on Monday, thereby providing a three day weekend for workers. Some states offer the day after Thanksgiving as a state holiday as well.
When traveling in the U.S. during any holiday period, it is often more difficult to get accommodations or hotel or flight reservations due to the amount of travel that is done by Americans during these holiday periods. You should therefore ensure that you book your trip well in advance to avoid any problems during these times. Prices can tend to be more expensive during these holiday periods as well so you should take that into consideration when making your plans.
Many states observe other holidays that are not necessarily observed by the Federal government. Therefore, you can encounter holidays in some states that are not considered holidays in others. The state of Virginia celebrates Lee-Jackson Day as a holiday which honors the Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson - who lost the war by the way! Other states like New Jersey observe Good Friday and Election Day as holidays so it will vary by state. Wherever you travel in the U.S. you will find different holidays observed with some that are pertinent to the state’s history. This is true in Florida where some areas also observe Pascua Florida Day on April 2 which is the celebration of the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513.
