View source for Federal Holidays in the United States

The [[United States]] recognizes '''eleven federal holidays''' each year, designated by Congress and observed by the federal government. On these days, non-essential federal offices are closed and federal employees are typically given paid time off.

These holidays commemorate key historical events, cultural milestones, and national figures.

== List of Federal Holidays ==
Below is the full list of official U.S. federal holidays and their usual observance dates:

{| class="wikitable"
! Holiday !! Date !! Description
|-
| [[New Year's Day]] || January 1 || Marks the beginning of the calendar year
|-
| [[Martin Luther King Jr. Day]] || Third Monday in January || Honors civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
|-
| [[Presidents Day]] (Washington’s Birthday) || Third Monday in February || Celebrates George Washington and other U.S. presidents
|-
| [[Memorial Day]] || Last Monday in May || Honors U.S. military personnel who died in service
|-
| [[Juneteenth]] || June 19 || Commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans
|-
| [[Independence Day (United States)]] || July 4 || Celebrates the U.S. Declaration of Independence
|-
| [[Labor Day]] || First Monday in September || Recognizes the contributions of American workers
|-
| [[Columbus Day]] || Second Monday in October || Commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas
|-
| [[Veterans Day]] || November 11 || Honors all U.S. military veterans
|-
| [[Thanksgiving]] || Fourth Thursday in November || Day of gratitude and harvest celebration
|-
| [[Christmas Day]] || December 25 || Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and family traditions
|}

== Observance Details ==
* If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed the '''preceding Friday'''
* If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed the '''following Monday'''
* Individual states and private employers may choose whether or not to observe each holiday

== Fun Facts ==
* The most recent federal holiday is '''Juneteenth''', added in 2021
* Some states celebrate additional holidays, like '''Cesar Chavez Day''' (California) or '''Patriot's Day''' (Massachusetts)
* [[Inauguration Day]] (January 20 every four years) is also a federal holiday, but only in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas

== See Also ==
* [[United States Government]]
* [[Culture of the United States]]
* [[Time in the United States]]