Federal holiday

In the United States, a Federal holiday is a holiday for which federal workers are excused from work.

List of Holidays

The ten currently recognized Federal holidays are:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• New Year's Day
• Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Washington's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

These are the official names in the law that defines holidays for federal employees. New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas Day are observed on the same calendar date each year, unless one falls on a weekend. Holidays that fall on a Saturday are observed on the previous Friday, and those that fall on a Sunday are observed the following Monday. The other holidays always fall on a particular day of the week.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Federal law does not require states to officially recognize any of these days in any way. However, most states use the same holidays for their employees, as well as their public schools, although the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is normally called "Martin Luther King Day," and Washington's Birthday is normally called "Presidents' Day." Independence Day is often called "The 4th of July."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Private employers are not required to observe these holidays, although many businesses will close at least for New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~