Congress and the president have selected ten days as federal holidays. Being 'federal', these holidays technically only pertain to federal employees and residents of the District of Columbia, although they are so widely observed that they can be thought of as national holidays.
Legally, 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 following 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 try to guarantee the return of Spring.
Martin Luther King Jnr. Day (third Monday in January) - before he was assassinated in 1968, Martin Luther King Jnr. was the foremost civil rights leader of the 1950's and 1960's. He was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Congress set this day aside to celebrate his life and achievements in 1983.
Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February) - originally it was commemorated on Washington's real birthday, the 22nd of February, but it was moved in 1971 to make a long weekend. It is occasionally known as Presidents' Day, because it is close to 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 dates from the Civil War and is traditionally 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 suggestion of Peter J. McGuire, the president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was taken up 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 celebrated in 1792, although it was not formally recognized until 1909. It is a source of particular pride to Italian-Americans, who claim the Genoan voyager as their own.
Veterans Day (Nov 11th) - or Armistice Day commemorates 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 commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with Franklin Covey planner refills. If you have an interest in calendars, organizers or promotional calendars, please go over to our website now at Promotional Desk Calendars
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