American Holidays

Official information and services from the U.S. government Americans celebrate a variety of holidays throughout the year. American holidays can be secular, religious, international or uniquely American. With the wide variety of holidays and the many levels of American government it can be confusing to determine what public and private facilities are open on a given holiday. You can usually find out in the daily newspaper or by calling the office you wish to visit. New Year's Day is January 1st. The celebration of this holiday begins the night before, when Americans gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous coming year. Many Americans make New Year's Resolutions. Martin Luther King Day is the third Monday in January. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African-American clergyman who is recognized for his tireless efforts to win civil rights for all people through nonviolent means. Presidents' Day is the common name for the U.S. federal holiday officially designated as Washington's Birthday. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February. The Washingtons Birthday holiday was originally established to honor the contributions of the first president of the U.S., but it has become commonplace for Americans to celebrate the legacies of all past presidents on this day. Valentine's Day, is celebrated on February 14th. The day was named after an early Christian martyr, and on Valentines Day, Americans give presents like candy or flowers to the ones they love. Easter falls on a spring Sunday that varies from year to year. Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans follow old traditions of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy. Memorial Day is the fourth Monday of May. It originally honored the people killed in the American Civil War, but has become a day on which the dead of all wars, and the dead generally, are remembered in special programs held in cemeteries, churches, and other public meeting places. The flying of the American flag is widespread. Independence Day is July 4th. This holiday honors the nation's birthday the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag is widespread. Labor Day is the first Monday of September. This holiday honors the nation's working people, typically with parades. For most Americans it marks the end of the summer vacation season and the start of the school year. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. The day commemorates October 12, 1492, when Italian navigator Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. Halloween is celebrated on October 31. On Halloween, American children dress up in funny or scary costumes and go "trick or treating" by knocking on doors in their neighborhood. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving them small gifts of candy or money. Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th. Originally called Armistice Day, this holiday was established to honor Americans who had served in World War I, but it now honors veterans of all wars in which the U.S. has fought. Veterans' organizations hold parades, and the president places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November. The holiday dates back to 1621, when Puritans, who had just enjoyed a bountiful harvest, showed their gratitude to the Native Americans for their help by hosting a feast to give thanks. The Thanksgiving feast became a national tradition and almost always includes some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. Christmas is a Christian holiday marking the birth of the Christ Child. Decorating houses and yards with lights, putting up Christmas trees, giving gifts, and sending greeting cards have become traditions even for many non-Christian Americans.

Additional US Holidays, Celebrated Dates, Important Days

January 24 [every year]: Belly Laugh Day February 2 [every year]: Groundhog Day February 12 [every year]: Lincoln's Birthday February 14 [every year]: St. Valentines Day February 5, 2008 [Feb 24, 2009]: Fat Tuesday (a.k.a. Paczki Day) - day before Lent starts February 22 [every year]: Washington's Birthday (traditional date, not observed date) March 17 [every year]: St. Patrick's Day March 21, 2008 [April 10, 2009]: Good Friday (U.S. stock market is closed on this day) March 23, 2008 [April 12, 2009]: Easter Sunday April 1 [every year]: April Fool's Day April 22 [every year]: Earth Day April 23, 2008 [April 22, 2009]: Administrative Professionals Day (National Secretary's Day) May 5 [every year]: Cinco de Mayo May 11, 2008 [May 10, 2009]: Mother's Day [2nd sunday in May] May 17, 2008 [May 16, 2009]: Armed Forces Day [3rd saturday in May] June 14 [every year]: Flag Day June 15, 2008 [June 21, 2009]: Father's Day [3rd sunday in June] July 27, 2008 [July 26, 2009]: Parents' Day [4th Sunday in July] September 7, 2008 [Sept. 13, 2009]: Grandparents' Day [first sunday after Labor Day] September 16 [every year]: Stepfamily Day September 17 [every year]: Citizenship Day Native American Day: 4th friday in September, celebrated (observed) many different days October 16 [every year]: Boss's Day (National Bosses Day) October 18, 2008 [Oct. 17, 2009]: Sweetest Day [3rd saturday in Oct] October 31 [every year]: Halloween for costumes, decorations, music, November 4, 2008 [Nov. 3, 2009]: Election Day [first tuesday after first monday in Nov] December 22-29, 2008 [Dec. 12-19, 2009]: Chanukah/Hanukkah December 26 - Jan 1 [every year]: Kwanzaa December 31 [every year]: New Year's Eve 2008 U.S. Daylight Savings Time STARTS: March 9, 2008 at 2am (set clocks ahead one hour) ENDS: November 2, 2008 at 2am (set clocks back one hour) 2009 U.S. Daylight Savings Time STARTS: March 8, 2009 at 2am (set clocks ahead one hour) ENDS: November 1, 2009 at 2am (set clocks back one hour)

COLOMBIAN HOLIDAYS
1 de enero de 2006: Ao Nuevo. 6 de enero*: Epifana. 19 de marzo*: San Jos. 13 de abril: Jueves Santo. 14 de abril: Viernes Santo. 1 de mayo: Da del Trabajo. 25 de mayo*: Festividad de la Ascensin. 15 de junio*: Corpus Christi. 30 de junio*: Festividad del Sagrado Corazn. 3 de julio*: Festividad de San Pedro y San Pablo. 20 de julio: Da de la Independencia. 7 de agosto: Aniversario de la Batalla de Boyac. 15 de agosto*: Ascensin de Nuestra Seora. 12 de octubre: Da de la Hispanidad. 1 de noviembre*: Da de Todos los Santos. 11 de noviembre*: Independencia de la Ciudad Cartagena. 8 de diciembre: Festividad de la Inmaculada Concepcin. 25 de diciembre: Navidad.