Last updated: January 1999

Ready Reference: U.S. Public Holidays & Celebrations
Federal Public Holidays

American Celebration Days

Daylight Saving Time



whiteballJanuary 1st New Year's Day
whiteball3rd Monday in January Martin Luther King's Birthday
whiteball3rd Monday in February Washington's Birthday
whiteballLast Monday in May Memorial Day
whiteballJuly 4th Independence Day
whiteball1st Monday in September Labor Day
whiteball2nd Monday in October Columbus Day
whiteballNovember 11th Veterans Day
whiteball4th Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day
whiteballDecember 25th Christmas Day

Virtually all the states observe certain other days during the year; the principal ones are:

    February 12th Lincoln's Birthday
    Good Friday

Note: normally, if a holiday falls on a Sunday the following Monday is observed; if on a Saturday, the previous Friday.


Other American Celebration Days

whiteballGroundhog DayFebruary 2nd¹
whiteballMother's DaySecond Sunday in May
whiteballFather's DayThird Sunday in June
  ¹ Traditionally, if the sun is shining on this day, and a groundhog sees his shadow, he returns to his burrow , and winter continues for six more weeks.


Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is achieved by advancing the clock one hour. Most states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions observe Daylight Saving Time beginning at 2.00 am on the first Sunday in April, and ending at 2.00 am on the last Sunday in October.



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