Federal Holidays in the U.S.A.

Travel Tips

These are the U.S. Federal holidays. This list is specifically designed for those unfamiliar with American holidays.

NEW YEAR'S DAY January 3, 1999, Monday
Obviously, January 1 is New Year's Day, but in this instance the holiday is taken on the nearest weekday. Many businesses normally open on Sunday will be closed if it is New Year's Day.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
January 18, 1999, Monday
This is a comparatively new national holiday, and it is celebrated to varying degrees around the country. It will undoubtedly become more important over the years.

PRESIDENTS' DAY
February 22, 1999, Monday
Now intended to honor all U.S. Presidents, originally this was two holidays - Abraham Lincoln's Birthday (February 12) and George Washington's Birthday (February 22). Many institutions, especially schools, still honor Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays as well as Presidents' Day.

STANDARD TIME ends, DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins - add an hour (Spring forward) - the first Sunday in April. Most states use Daylight Savings Time. (Notable exceptions are Arizona and Hawaii.) Check your travel plans carefully!

(Don't forget MOTHER'S DAY - Always the second Sunday in May.)

MEMORIAL DAY
May 31, 1999, Monday
This day, always the last Monday in May, is set aside to recognize those who have served the U.S. on the battlefield. Many areas have parades, presentations, etc. This is the unofficial beginning of summer, with schools ending soon after.

(Don't forget FATHER'S DAY - Always the third Sunday in June.)

INDEPENDENCE DAY
July 5, 1999, Monday
Unless July 4 falls on a weekend, Independence Day is celebrated on July 4, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This is the day America shines on the parade route and the preferred day to set off firecrackers.

LABOR DAY September 6, 1999, Monday
Labor Day always falls on the first Monday in September. It is the day Americans honor the workers who build and maintain the nation. This is the traditional end of summer, and most youngsters go back to school the day after Labor Day.

COLUMBUS DAY
October 11, 1999, Monday
Originally intended to recognize the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus, this holiday is being redefined by some, being celebrated as Native American Day in many areas. Certain communities will have parades, others will not.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ends, STANDARD TIME begins - subtract an hour (Fall back) - the last Sunday in October. Most states use Daylight Savings Time. (Notable exceptions are Arizona and Hawaii.) Check your travel plans carefully!

ELECTION DAY
Americans vote at various times during the year, but for national elections, we go to the polls on the first Tuesday in November.

VETERANS' DAY
November 11, 1999, Saturday
Veterans' Day (usually 11/11), like Memorial Day, remembers those who have fought for their country. Generally, Memorial Day honors those who died in battle, while Veterans' Day honors the surviving soldiers and sailors.

THANKSGIVING DAY
November 25, 1999, Thursday
Always the last Thursday in November, Thanksgiving Day kicks off the winter holiday season with family gatherings, dinners, and American football. Dating back to the European-American pilgrim immigrants giving thanks with and to the Native Americans who lived alongside them in early New England, Thanksgiving crosses cultural lines, with the newest Americans happily joining this tradition. Thanksgiving weekend is a 4-day holiday for many people, and travel routes and destinations can be quite crowded. The day after Thanksgiving has long been considered the first real shopping day of the Christmas season, and is one of the highest sales days in stores.

CHRISTMAS DAY
December 27, 1999, Monday
Christmas is undoubtedly the favorite holiday in the U.S. Expect very crowded airports, hotels and restaurants before Christmas Day, on Christmas, and the day after Christmas. The federal holiday may vary so that there is a weekday holiday for Christmas, but Christmas is December 25.

Of course, there are many other holidays celebrated in the United States, but these are the only federal holidays. Each state has holidays of its own, as do many cities and towns. Special fun times for many Americans are St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and Halloween. Many cultural, foreign-national, and religious holidays are observed. Wherever you're from, you can probably find fellow celebrants in the United States when you are missing a holiday at home.

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