If you're planning a trip to the United States of America, it's worth considering the dates of the
American public holidays. The USA has eleven Federal holidays - ten that are annual and one that happens
every four years (Inauguration Day).
In general, when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday the holiday is usually observed on
Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).
Ultimately, it is up to each state to decide whether, when and how each of these Federal
holidays is observed. In addition, individual states have their own holidays such as Alaska Day, Truman Day in
Missouri, Good Friday in Louisiana, and Mardi Gras in several states including Mississippi.
Unlike in many European countries, the United States are fairly relaxed about observance of these holidays.
Most retailers, for example, are closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas, whilst private businesses often only
observe the so called "big six" holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).
American Public Holidays
2009
Thursday January 1st - New Year's Day
Monday January 19th - Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday February 16th - Washingtons Birthday (Presidents Day)
Monday May 25th - Memorial Day
Saturday July 4th - Independence Day
Monday September 7th - Labor Day
Monday October 12th - Columbus Day
Wednesday November 11th - Veterans Day
Thursday November 26th - Thanksgiving Day
Friday December 25th - Christmas Day
2008
Tuesday January 1st - New Year's Day
Monday January 21st - Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday February 18* - Washington’s Birthday
Monday May 26th - Memorial Day
Friday July 4th - Independence Day
Monday September 1st - Labor Day
Monday October 13th - Columbus Day
Tuesday November 11th - Veterans Day
Thursday November 27th - Thanksgiving Day
Thursday December 25th - Christmas Day
To view public holidays for other countries & locations in the world, try our Worldwide Public Holidays section
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