January
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – New Year’s Day celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar which is generally accepted in the USA. It is normally accompanied by fireworks and kisses at the turn of 12 AM. New York holds the largest celebration in New York where the “ball” drops at the turn of midnight
January 20th (Inauguration day) – Inauguration Day occurs every 4 years and coincides with the inauguration of new presidents. The last Inauguration Day to take place was on January 20th, 2009 with President Barack Obama. The Holiday was first established to take place on March 4th of the Inauguration year and was celebrated on that date from 1978 through 1933. Following the ratification of the 20th Amendment; however, the date was changed to January 20th. When the 20th occurs on a Sunday, the day is then pushed to the 21st (Monday). The next Inauguration day will take place on January 20th, 2013.
Martin Luther King Jr. (3rd Monday in January) – Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of each January despite his true birthday being January 15th, 1929. It commemorates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader and chief spokesperson for non-violent activism during the Civil Rights movement. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 and the Holiday was first signed into law by Ronald Reagan in 1983 but was not observed until 1986.
February
President’s Day (3rd Monday in February) – President’s Day was first established by Congress in 1880 to honor George Washington and was originally celebrated on February 22nd, the actual birth date of George Washington (1732). It was later changed to President’s Day to honor the Presidency position in general.
April
Easter Sunday (April 4th, 2010) – Easter is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of April following the first full moon of the vernal equinox. It is considered by many to be one of the most important Holidays in the Christian religion marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The next celebration will take place on April 4th, 2010.
May
Mothers Day (Second Sunday in May) – Mother’s Day was first established by Anna Jarvis on May 12, 1907 following the passing of her mother. After campaigning, she succeeded in making Mother’s Day recognized nationally in 1914. Remember to give thanks to all the Mothers on May 9th, which marks the next time it will be recognized.
Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th, 2010) – Peace Officers Memorial Day pays tribute to all of the Federal, State, and local peace officers who protect us from crime, harm, and terrorism. It is recognized on May 15th and gives thanks to the many of officers have paid the ultimate price for the protection of our freedoms. The flag is to be flown at half-staff on this day.
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) – Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May each year. It honors those who have served and died while serving in the US Military. It was first enacted in 1868 following the Civil War and flags are asked to be served at half-staff until noon local time. Then, the flag is raised to its normal height. It will be next recognized on May 31, 2010.
June
Flag Day (June 14th) – The United State Flag Day celebrates the adoption of the flag of the United States of America which occurred on June 14, 1777. Flag Day was proclaimed a Holiday by Woodrow Wilson in August of 1949 yet is not recognized as a Federal holiday.
July
Independence Day (July 4th) – Independence Day is celebrated every July 4th in the United States and represents the independence of the 13 original colonies from the British. It was originally adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776 and the Declaration was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson. July 4th has become one of the largest Holidays in the US and is often characterized by fireworks and the red, white, and blue as well as flying the American Flag.
September
Labor Day (1st Monday in September) – Labor Day is celebrated on the 1st Monday of September every year. Labor Day was originally created when Peter J McGuire witnessed a Canadian celebration of the “Nine Hour Movement”, a movement to establish labor laws in Canada…then returned to New York to organize the first Labor Day on September 5th, 1882. It was originally marked by parades and was established to honor the many achievements and inventions of the American workers. It will next be observed on September 6th, 2010.
Patriot Day (September 11th) – Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year. It honors the many lives lost in the Sept. 11 attack of 2001 and was originally signed into law on December 18, 2001 by President George W. Bush. It is marked by flying flags at half-staff throughout the day at homes, government offices, and the White House. Also, we are asked to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM which marks the time when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.
Constitution Day (September 17th) – Constitution Day is recognized on September 17th of each year and is in observance of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. September 17th marks the date when Constitution was signed by Constitutional Convention in 1787. The law establishing Constitution Day was not created until 2004 though. When the 17th falls on a weekend, schools and other institutions will recognize the Holiday on an adjacent weekday, either the Friday before or Monday following.
POW/MIA Recognition Day (3rd Friday in September) – National POW/MIA Recognition Day is celebrated on the 3rd Friday of each September. Designed to honor all of the prisoners of war and those missing in action, it is one of the only Holidays where the black and white POW/MIA flag “federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices, and military installations”. The next POW/MIA Recognition Day will be on Sept. 18th, 2009.
October
Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October; October 12th at Foreign Service posts) – Columbus Day celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival into the Americas on October 12, 1492. It is not only recognized by the US, but also by many countries in the “New World”. In the US, It was first officially celebrated by Colorado in 1905 and became a Federal holiday in 1970.
November
Veterans Day (November 11th) – Give thanks to all of the brave men and women who have served in the US Military on Veterans Day this November 11th. It was first proclaimed as Armistice Day on November 12, 1919 by Woodrow Wilson. It was officially changed to Veterans Day on November 8th, 1954 replacing Armistice with Veterans to honor all veterans throughout each war of the United States. When November 11th falls on a Sunday, the Holiday day off is pushed to the following Monday.
Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) – Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of each November and was originally designed to give thanks for the reaped harvest of the autumn. Thanksgiving dinner is common and is generally eaten with friends and family.
December
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7th) – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day takes place each year on December 7th, the date of the Pearl Harbor attacks in 1941. It is designed to give thanks and remembrance for the many service men and women who lost their lives on that day. Pearl Harbor marks the second worst foreign attack on American soil behind 9/11/01. Flags are asked to be flown at half-staff on this day.
Christmas Day (December 25th) – Christmas is generally regarded as the largest Holiday in the USA and is characterized by presents and gifts given between people. This holiday is designed to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. It occurs on December 25th of each year. The holiday is characterized with presents, Christmas trees, and food.
