Holidays in the United States

Holidays in the United States
Camera Operator: SSGT. LONO KOLLARS · Public domain · source
Name	Holidays in the United States
Observedby	United States
Type	National, cultural, religious, regional
Significance	National commemoration, cultural observance, religious worship, commercial celebration
Date	Fixed and movable dates
Related	Federal holidays in the United States, State holidays in the United States

Contents

Holidays in the United States Holidays in the United States encompass a broad array of observances and commemorations ranging from national Independence Day and federal statutes like the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to religious festivals such as Christmas and Eid al‑Fitr, as well as regional commemorations tied to states like Maine and cities like New Orleans. These observances involve institutions including the United States Congress, the White House, and local state capitols, and interact with cultural practices linked to figures such as George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., and events like the American Revolution and the Civil Rights Movement.

Overview

The contemporary American holiday calendar integrates federal designations by the United States Congress, liturgical calendars used by Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church communities, and cultural practices drawn from immigrant groups such as Irish Americans, Mexican Americans, and Chinese Americans. Influential actors include presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt who shaped national remembrance, organizations like the National Archives, Smithsonian Institution, and American Legion, and landmark events such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the September 11 attacks that generated official observances. Holidays serve multiple roles—civic ritual exemplified by the Presidential Inauguration parade, religious worship at places like St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York City), and commercial activity promoted by entities such as the National Retail Federation and retailers like Walmart and Macy's.

Federal holidays are statutory days when federal institutions including the United States Postal Service and federal courts observe closures; examples codified by United States federal statute include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Debates over federal recognition have engaged legislators such as members of the United States Senate and advocacy groups including the NAACP, AARP, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. State and local governments—examples are California, Texas, New York, and Hawaii—may extend public holidays through state law and proclamations by governors like those of California Governor or New York Governor.

Religious communities observe calendars maintained by institutions such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United Methodist Church, and mosques affiliated with the Islamic Society of North America. Major Christian holidays include Easter, Good Friday, and Christmas, while Jewish holidays observed by organizations like American Jewish Committee include Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Muslim observances such as Eid al‑Fitr and Eid al‑Adha involve mosques in cities like Dearborn, Michigan and groups such as the Council on American–Islamic Relations. Other culturally significant days include Cinco de Mayo celebrated by Mexican American communities, Lunar New Year festivities in San Francisco and New York City, and Kwanzaa promoted by cultural leaders like Maulana Karenga.

States and municipalities maintain specialized observances: Mardi Gras is integral to New Orleans, Patron Saint's Day festivities occur in places like San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bonhomme and parade traditions in Mobile, Alabama reflect localized customs. State laws create holidays such as Evacuation Day (Massachusetts) and Confederate Memorial Day in some Southern states, while commemorative months—proclaimed by governors—include Black History Month initiatives supported by state historical societies and museums like the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Local heritage events celebrate immigrant histories through festivals in neighborhoods like Little Italy (Manhattan), Chinatown, San Francisco, and Pilsen, Chicago.

Commercial holidays include marketing-driven observances like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Valentine's Day promoted by retailers such as Target and Amazon, and trade groups including the National Retail Federation. Secular civic commemorations include Labor Day events organized by unions like the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and patriotic displays by groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Popular culture shapes celebrations via media outlets like NBCUniversal and sporting events such as the Super Bowl and the World Series, which have become de facto national occasions.

The legal framework traces to statutes enacted by bodies such as the United States Congress and administrative actions by presidents including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson for early public commemorations. Landmark legislative changes include the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifting observance dates and the congressional recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Judicial and executive branches—through Supreme Court decisions and presidential proclamations—have affected observance practice, while social movements like the Civil Rights Movement and advocacy by organizations such as the NAACP and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People influenced the adoption of days honoring figures like Martin Luther King Jr..

Practices range from formal ceremonies at monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and the National World War II Memorial to parades in cities like New York City and Philadelphia. Traditions include wreath‑laying by officials at the Arlington National Cemetery, church services at institutions like Ebenezer Baptist Church, community meals organized by charities such as the Salvation Army, and televised performances broadcast by networks including CBS and ABC. Civic education programs at institutions like the Library of Congress and celebratory rituals by groups such as the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA contribute to intergenerational transmission of holiday meanings.