Maha Montessori

Indigenous People's Day
2024-10-14
Is Indigenous People’s Day a Public Holiday?
Indigenous People’s Day 2024 is a state observance in 30 states and a state holiday in 3 states and 1 federal district.
Where Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebrated?
As of 2023, some 29 states do not celebrate Columbus Day and have renamed it or replaced it with Indigenous Peoples Day. Some states recognize Indigenous Peoples Day via proclamation, while others treat it as an official holiday.
Among the states where the holiday is observed or honored are Alaska, Minnesota, Vermont, Iowa, North Carolina, California, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Virginia, Oregon, Texas, as well as South Dakota, which celebrates Native Americans’ Day, Hawaii, which celebrates Discoverers’ Day, and Alabama, which celebrates American Indian Heritage Day. Washington, D.C. also recognizes the holiday.
President Biden became the first U.S. president to issue a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021, writing, “Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society.”
Why Replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Activists have long argued that holidays, statues and other memorials to Columbus sanitize his actions—which include the enslavement of Native Americans—while giving him credit for “discovering” a place where communities had lived for thousands of years.
“Columbus Day is not just a holiday, it represents the violent history of colonization in the Western hemisphere,” says Leo Killsback, a professor of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University.
Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, in part because of efforts by Roman Catholic Italian Americans. During the late 19th and early 20th century, members of the stigmatized ethnic and religious group successfully campaigned to establish a Columbus Day in order to place Catholic Italians, like Christopher Columbus, into American history. In doing so, they edged out people of Anglo-Saxon descent who wanted a federal holiday honoring Leif Erikson as the first European to reach the Americas.
But decades later, the question of which European got here “first” is beside the point. “Indigenous Peoples’ Day represents a much more honest and fair representation of American values,” writes Killsback, who is a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation of southeastern Montana.

White Cane Safety Day
2024-10-15
White Cane Safety Day celebrates blind and visually impaired people’s achievements in the United States on October 15 every year. It also reminds people about the how the white cane is an important tool in helping the blind and the visually impaired live with greater independence.
Is White Cane Safety Day a Public Holiday?
White Cane Safety Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
The United States president may issue each year a proclamation calling on people in the United States to observe White Cane Safety Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Communities across the nation re-affirm their commitment to improve access to basic services for blind and visually impaired people.
Organizations, such as Lions Clubs International and the National Federation of the Blind, organize promotional activities involving the public as part of a goal to help to increase awareness of the use of the white cane and the laws that govern its use. Activities such as visual displays, walks, meetings, public service announcements, and the distribution of t-shirts reminding people about the day are all part of the day’s activities. White Cane Safety Day also reminds people that motor vehicles and pedestrians should yield the right of way to blind or visually impaired people using canes.
Public Life
Although White Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, it is not a federal public holiday.
Background
Many blind and visually impaired people, including famous musicians and writers, have made major positive contributions in the United States. Many have also used a white cane to help them succeed at educational institutions, work environments, and their homes. The first of the state laws regarding the right of blind people to travel independently with the white cane was passed in 1930. It granted blind pedestrians protection and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane.
In 1963, the National Federation of the Blind called upon the governors from every state to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day. At the time, only a few people achieved enough independence to travel alone on busy highways. The United States Congress, by joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964, designated October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day. By 1978, the number of visually impaired people who achieved a lot of independence through the white cane had greatly increased. Promotions on the benefits of the white cane proved to be successful and they are still continuing.
Symbols
The white cane can be perceived by many as a symbol of blindness or visual impairment. White canes are recognized for providing the visually impaired with greater mobility, allowing them to participate more within their communities. Blind and visually impaired people have used canes as mobility tools for centuries, but it was not until after World War I that the white cane was properly introduced. In modern times, there are different varieties of this tool, each serving slightly varied needs.

Boss's Day
2024-10-16
Boss’s Day, also known as National Boss Day or Bosses Day, is a time for many workers to appreciate their employers. It is annually observed in the United States on October 16, or the nearest working day.
Is Boss’s Day a Public Holiday?
Boss’s Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Boss’s Day is dedicated to all employers and provides a prospect of improving the liaison between employers and their staff. Many workers dedicate this day to their supervisors for various reasons, such as supporting staff with their jobs and careers. This observance also gives employees a chance to recognize those in supervisory positions.
Some people give their bosses cards, gift certificates, or flowers on Boss’s Day. This observance is becoming increasingly popular in various workplaces. It has received both praise and controversy.
Public Life
Boss’s Day, which is on October 16, is an observance and it is not a nationwide public holiday in the United States. If it falls on a weekend, then it is celebrated on the working day closest to it.
Background
The concept of National Boss Day began in 1958 when Patricia Bays Haroski, then an employee at State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois, registered the holiday with the United States Chamber of Commerce. She designated October 16 as the special day because it was her father’s birthday. Haroski’s purpose was to designate a day to show appreciation for her boss and other bosses. She also hoped to improve the relationship between employees and supervisors.
Four years later in 1962, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner backed Haroski’s registration and officially proclaimed the day. The event’s popularity is growing outside the United States and is now also observed in countries such as Australia, India, and South Africa.
Note: The dates below show when National Boss Day was first officially proclaimed in 1962, although the concept for this observance began in 1958.

Halloween
2024-10-31
Many Americans celebrate Halloween on October 31. Celebrations include costume parties and trick-or-treating.
Is Halloween a Public Holiday?
Halloween is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Halloween is usually celebrated amongst family, friends and, sometimes, co-workers. However, some areas hold large community events. Parties and other events may be planned on October 31 or in the weekends before and after this date. Adults may celebrate by watching horror films, holding costume parties or creating haunted houses or graveyards.
Many children dress up in fancy costumes and visit other homes in the neighborhood. At each house, they demand sweets, snacks or a small gift. If they do not get this, they threaten to do some harm to the inhabitants of the house. This is known as playing ‘trick-or-treat’ and is supposed to happen in a friendly spirit, with no nasty or mean tricks being carried out. However, if your children take part, it is important to accompany them and to check their ‘treats’ to make sure they are safe to eat or play with.
Some families carve lanterns with ‘scary’ faces out of pumpkins or other vegetables or decorate their homes and gardens in Halloween style. These were traditionally intended to ward off evil spirits. If you are at home on Halloween, it is a good idea to have a bowl of small presents or sweets to offer to anyone who knocks on your door. This will help you to please the little spirits in your neighborhood!
One cause that ties with Halloween is collecting donations for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). As children trick-or-treat on Halloween night, some of them might carry small cardboard boxes with the UNICEF logo on them and collect coins instead of the usual candy. The money collected is then given to UNICEF and used to help needy children worldwide.
Public Life
Halloween is not an official holiday. Government offices and businesses are open as usual and public transit services run on regular schedules. If you drive around in late afternoon or evening, it is important to keep a careful lookout for children who are unaccustomed to being out on the street after dark. If they are wearing dark costumes or masks, they may be less easy to see than normal. They may also be excited and dart out unexpectedly from between vehicles or behind bushes.
Background
Halloween originated as a pagan festival in parts of Northern Europe, particularly around what is now the United Kingdom. Many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is a time when magic is most potent and spirits can make contact with the physical world. In Christian times, it became a celebration of the evening before All Saints’ Day. Immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought the holiday to the United States.
The commercialization of Halloween started in the 1900s, when postcards and die-cut paper decorations were produced. Halloween costumes started to appear in stores in the 1930s and the custom of ‘trick-or-treat’ appeared in the 1950s. The types of products available in Halloween style increased with time. Now Halloween is a very profitable holiday for the manufacturers of costumes, yard decorations and candy. In recent years, debate over the apporpriateness of costumes representing ethnic groups has arisen.
Symbols
There are various symbols associated with Halloween. These include the spooks, ghosts and walking skeletons that represent the contact between the spiritual and physical world and between the living and the dead. Human figures that are often represented on Halloween are witches and wizards, who are seen to have the power to contact the spirit world. Bats, black cats and spiders are often connected with this holiday. These animals are associated with the night and darkness and often accompany witches and wizards.
There are also a range of objects associated with Halloween. These include blood, fire, gravestones, pumpkins, bones and skulls. They all have connections with death, the spirit world or protecting property from evil spirits. Many of these objects are now available in stores as decorations for the Halloween season.

First Day of Native American Heritage Month
2024-11-01
Is First Day of Native American Heritage Month a Public Holiday?

The first day of Native American Heritage Month is November 1st. President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution in 1990 to designate the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month. The month honors the cultural, historical, educational, and societal contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities. It also celebrates their traditions, languages, and stories, and honors veterans who have served the nation.

Congress chose November because it’s a time of celebration and giving thanks that generally follows the end of the traditional harvest season. The month also honors Indigenous peoples who have suffered at the hands of the U.S. government.

Before the month-long celebration, there was a week-long celebration called American Indian Week in 1986, which took place from November 23–30. The first American Indian Day was celebrated in New York in May 1916, after Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, rode across the country on horseback to get 24 state governments to approve the day.

Here are some ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month: Participate in Native American cultural events, Explore Native American cuisine, Read Native American literature, Listen to Native American podcasts, and Recognize what Native land you are on.

Election Day (General Election)
2024-11-05
Election Day in the United States of America is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. It can fall on or between November 2 and November 8. It is the day when popular ballots are held to select public officials. These include national, state, and local government representatives at all levels up to the president.
Is Election Day a Public Holiday?
Election Day 2024 is a state holiday in 12 states and an observance in 39 states.
What Do People Do?
On Election Day, citizens of the United States of America can vote by popular ballot for candidates for public offices at local, state, and national levels. In even-numbered years, federal elections are held, while in years divisible by four, presidential elections are held. Elections for local and state officials may be held in odd- or even-numbered years, depending on local and state laws.
The way in which people vote depends on the state in which they live. In Oregon, all votes are cast by post and all votes have to be received at a given time on Election Day. In the state of Washington, nearly all people vote by post and the envelopes containing the voting papers have to be postmarked with the date of Election Day. In other states, people vote at voting stations, where long queues can form.
Public Life
Election Day is not a federal holiday, but it is a yearly or biennial holiday in some states (see table below article), including:

Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Montana
West Virginia

Employees in some states have the legal right to have time off work to vote, and in some cases, without losing any pay.
Background
In 1792, a law was passed allowing each of the states to conduct presidential elections at any point in the 34 days before the first Wednesday in December. This was the date when the meetings of the Electors of the U.S. president and vice-president, known as the Electoral Colleges, were held in each state. A date in November or early December was preferable because the harvest would have been finished, but the most severe winter storms would not have begun.
As long distance communication improved and became quicker with the advent of trains and telegraphs, allowing each state to conduct its elections at any point in a period of more than a month became outdated. The results of the elections that were announced earliest could influence the outcomes of elections held later in the permitted period.
In 1845, the United States Congress chose a single date for all national elections in all states. The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November was chosen so that there would never be more than 34 days between Election Day and the first Wednesday in December. Election Day is held on a Tuesday so that voters will not have to vote or travel on Sunday. This was an important consideration at the time when the laws were written and is still so in some Christian communities in the United States.
On Inauguration Day, which is on January 20 every four years, the president and vice-president of the United States of America are sworn in and take office.
In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected as president of the United States, 45 years after Martin Luther King Jr’s speech about equal opportunities.

Black Friday
2024-11-29
Black Friday is an informal name for the day after Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It is a public holiday in more than 20 states, and is considered the start of the US Christmas shopping season.
Is Black Friday a Public Holiday?
Black Friday is on the Day After Thanksgiving, which is a public holiday in more than 20 states. In these states, businesses may be closed.
The same day is also a state holiday in Georgia, commemorating General Robert E Lee’s birthday.
Schools and universities all over the United States are closed for the entire Thanksgiving weekend.
Bargain Shopping
Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday all over the US. Even where the day after is not a public holiday, many take a day off work or use a day from their quota of annual leave on Black Friday. Some people use this to make trips to see family members or friends who live in other areas or to go on vacation. Others use it to start shopping for the Christmas season.
Shopping for Christmas presents is also popular on Black Friday. Many stores have special offers and lower their prices on some goods, such as toys.
The Monday after, is known as Cyber Monday, a marketing effort for online retailers equivalent to Black Friday.
What’s Open or Closed?
Public transit systems may not run on their normal schedule. Some stores extend their opening hours on Black Friday. There can also be congestion on roads to popular shopping destinations.
Why Is It Called Black Friday?
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days in the USA. There are two popular theories as to why the day after Thanksgiving Day is called Black Friday. One theory is that the wheels of vehicles in heavy traffic on the day after Thanksgiving Day left many black markings on the road surface, leading to the term Black Friday.
The other theory is that the term Black Friday comes from an old way of recording business accounts. Losses were recorded in red ink and profits in black ink. Many businesses, particularly small businesses, started making profits before Christmas. Many hoped to start showing a profit, marked in black ink, on the day after Thanksgiving Day.

Native American Heritage Day
2024-11-29
From The American Presidency Project, Proclamation 10667—National Native American Heritage Month, 2023

“During National Native American Heritage Month, we recognize the invaluable contributions of Native peoples that have shaped our country and honor the hundreds of Tribal Nations who continue exercising their inherent sovereignty as vital members of the overlapping system of governments in the United States. We also recommit to supporting Tribal sovereignty; upholding the Federal Government’s solemn trust and treaty responsibilities; and working in partnership with Tribal Nations to advance prosperity, dignity, and safety for all Native peoples.
“Since time immemorial, Native communities have passed down rich cultures, knowledge, traditions, and ways of life. But throughout our history, Native peoples’ cultures, identities, and governments were not always seen as a part of this Nation but as a threat to it. Native people were pressured to assimilate, banned from practicing their traditions and sacred ceremonies, and forced from their homes and ancestral homelands. This violence and devastation cost countless lives, tore families apart, and caused lasting damage to Tribal communities and institutions.
“Despite centuries of violence and oppression, Native peoples remain resilient and proud. Today, Native Americans are essential to the fabric of the United States. They serve in the United States Armed Forces at higher rates than any other ethnic group. They continue to steward so many of our great lands. Their contributions to science, humanities, arts, public service, and more have brought prosperity for all of us. Their diverse cultures and communities continue to thrive and lead us forward.”

Cyber Monday
2024-12-02
Cyber Monday falls on the first Monday after Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday in the United States. It’s becoming one of busiest online shopping days for deals and discounts in the US.
Is Cyber Monday a Public Holiday?
Cyber Monday is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
Online Shopping Day
Cyber Monday is a marketing invention that was first observed in 2005 by online retailer shop.org. Seen as an online version of Black Friday, Cyber Monday was created to allow customers to shop online from the comfort of their offices and homes.
The day after Thanksgiving in the United States is traditionally considered to be the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, brick and mortar retailers have sales and provide massive discounts to attract customers, making it one of the busiest shopping days of the year. As a result, many people tend to stay away from stores to avoid crowds. Additionally, thanksgiving weekend is also one of the busiest travel weekends in the US when people travel around the country to be with their families. Such travel may mean that many customers miss Black Friday deals and sales. It is thought that Cyber Monday was created as a way to encourage such customers to shop without having to visit brick and mortar stores.
Sales and Discounts
Online retailers offer deals, often posting the kind of deals and sales they will have on online forums and websites, several weeks and days ahead. It is thought that a large percentage of the shopping on this day is done during work hours. Keeping this in mind, several retailers offer extra lunchtime discounts to their customers.
Several other countries, including Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom also now have their own version of Cyber Monday.
What’s Open or Closed?
Cyber Monday is not a public holiday, so it’s business as usual in the US.

Giving Tuesday
2024-12-03
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday, often described as a global day of giving or a global generosity movement, is held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
The giving movement is also sometimes stylized as GivingTuesday or #GivingTuesday.
What is the history of Giving Tuesday?
According to GivingTuesday.org, this day of giving was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation as a day that encourages people to do good. In July 2019, GivingTuesday spun out into its own organization, led by GivingTuesday co-founder, Asha Curran, as its CEO.
Why do nonprofits participate in this global day of giving?
Outside of awareness days, days that are significant for individual causes or organizations, or national or international crises, there are few opportunities to drive significant attention among a larger audience.
Giving Tuesday presents nonprofits with a day full of opportunities. Because many members of the general public now know what it is and may even set aside money each year to donate on that day, it’s the perfect chance for nonprofits to highlight their missions, solicit donations, and gain new supporters. Nonprofits looking to increase visibility and capitalize on a day of giving would be smart to participate.
Because nonprofit organizations have varying resources, sometimes a nonprofit’s involvement may be as simple as sharing a single social media post or sending an email newsletter.
Considered by many as the day that kicks off the giving season, it directly follows three major shopping days: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.
Because it usually falls on a day in late November or early December, some nonprofits use the day as an opportunity to launch end-of-year giving campaigns to take advantage of people making their final tax-deductible donations for the year. Nonprofits benefit from the generosity of those wishing to make a positive impact during the holiday season.

St Nicholas Day
2024-12-06
St Nicholas’ Day is an observance of European origin that is celebrated in some American communities on December 6.
Is St Nicholas Day a Public Holiday?
St Nicholas Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
Celebrate St Nicholas’ Day
Children in families who celebrate St Nicholas’ Day receive treats – including candy, cookies, small toys, or fruit – in stockings, socks, shoes or bags on December 6. Some churches have special services dedicated to the feast of St Nicholas on this day.
Public Life
St Nicholas’ Day is an observance and not a federal public holiday in the US.
About St Nicholas’ Day
The legendary figure of St. Nicholas is derived from Nicholas of Myra who officiated as a bishop in 4th century Greece. During his lifetime he developed a reputation for gift-giving by putting coins into other people’s shoes, which accounts for many of today’s Christmas traditions that involve leaving gifts in shoes or boots.
Some Europeans who immigrated to the United States brought with them beliefs, customs and practices associated with St Nicholas’ Day. It has been recorded that celebrations associated with the observance took place in cities such as New York in the early 1800s.

Bill of Rights Day
2024-12-15
Is Bill of Rights Day a Public Holiday?
Bill of Rights Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, December 15, 2024 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. When the Framers wrote the Constitution, they did not focus on individual rights. They focused on creating the system and structure of government. Many Americans believed that the Constitution should guarantee the rights of the people, and they wanted a list of all the things a government could not do. They were afraid that a strong government would take away the rights people won in the Revolutionary War.
James Madison, one of the Framers of the Constitution, wrote a list of individual rights and limits on the government. These rights appear in the first 10 amendments, called the Bill of Rights. Some of these rights include freedom of expression, the right to bear arms, freedom from search without warrant, freedom not to be tried twice for the same crime, the right to not testify against yourself, the right to a trial by a jury of your peers, the right to an attorney, and protection against excessive fines and unusual punishments. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. Today, we recognize December 15 as Bill of Rights Day.
Understanding the Bill of Rights is also an important part of the naturalization test. During the naturalization interview, prospective citizens may be asked, “What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?” as part of the civics test. Applicants may also be asked to read the words, “Bill of Rights,” during the English test.

Wright Brothers Day
2024-12-17
Wright Brothers Day is celebrated in the United States on December 17 each year. The date commemorates the Wright brothers’ first successful flight in heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled craft, accomplished on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Wright Brothers Day falls on the same day as Pan American Aviation Day. It must not be confused with National Aviation Day.
Is Wright Brothers Day a Public Holiday?
Wright Brothers Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
The United States president annually makes a proclamation inviting Americans to observe Wright Brothers Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Observations, including the annual Wright Brothers dinner where the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is awarded in Washington DC, take place on or around this day. Celebrations are also held at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina and in Dayton, Ohio, where the brothers were born.
Events focused on the day also take place at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, a 425-acre (about 1.7km2) area that features a 60-foot (about 18.3 meters) granite pylon (tower) on top of Kill Devil Hill, where the Wright Brothers’ camp was located. Other activities include: luncheons in honor of the Wright brothers; school activities focused on aviation and the Wright brothers’ achievements in opening doors for future flight advancements; and field trips to aviation and flight museums and centers.
Public Life
The Wright Brothers Day is an observance but it is not a federal public holiday in the United States.
Background
Orville and his brother Wilbur are given credit for building the world’s first successful airplane with aircraft controls that enabled them to steer the plane. The brothers’ first aircraft, named Flyer, made its maiden flight for 12 seconds and 120 feet (about 36-37 meters) around the site of Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina on December 17, 1903. This day is observed nationally since 1963 to honor Wilbur and Orville Wright.
The Wright brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft but they are the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed wing flight possible. In the years that followed, aviation advancements were made. The Wright brothers’ efforts paved the way for modern day aeronautics. The brothers’ status as inventors of the airplane has been an issue of debate, particularly as there were competing claims regarding other early aviators.
Symbols
Images of the Wright brothers and the first flight have been seen in posters, flyers, stamps and other memorabilia. First Flight stamps, in honor of the Wright brothers’ first flight, were issued in 2003 at the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The stamp illustration depicts Orville Wright at the controls of the 1903 Wright flyer. The text at the bottom of the design reads “First Flight. Wright Brothers. 1903”.
A large memorial tower, located on top of Kill Devil Hill, is also dedicated to the Wright Brothers. Orville Wright attended the monument dedication in 1932. The first floor interior showcases special pink granite-lined walls and a black granite floor. Only the first floor of the monument displays this color granite. The rest of the monument is made of white granite stone.

Christmas Eve
2024-12-24
Christmas Eve in the United States, which is annually on December 24, is the day before Christmas Day. It falls within the Christmas season, which is a time for people to buy presents and visit friends or relatives.
Is Christmas Eve a Public Holiday?
Christmas Eve 2024 is a state holiday in 11 states and an observance, christian in 40 states.
Celebrate Christmas Eve
Since Christmas Eve is not usually an official federal holiday, most people have to work. However, it is a partial day off or a full day off in some states. Many workplaces hold Christmas parties or celebrations, so there is a celebratory air to the day. People who work in the retail or catering sectors often have to work very hard to meet consumer demands on December 24.
Many people in the United States decorate their homes and driveways with seasonal decorations, although some do this much earlier, starting just after Thanksgiving Day in late November. The centerpiece of the decorations is often a Christmas tree decorated with fairy lights, tinsel, angels, stars and other seasonal ornaments. Outdoor light sculptures are also becoming increasingly popular. These are many light bulbs or LEDs in the form of trees, sleighs, reindeer, Santa Claus, snowmen and other seasonal figures. Light sculptures may be placed on driveways, roofs or in gardens.
In the evening, often just before bedtime, many families, particularly those with children, will hang up stockings on the fireplace or the end of their bed. These Christmas stockings are often red with a white fluffy trim, although they may be of any design and are often much bigger than the socks that they represent. Children hope that Santa Claus, a mythical figure thought to represent an ancient European saint, will enter their home via the chimney and fill their stocking with gifts, sweets and oranges.
Public Life
Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday. However, it is a partial day off in states like Kansas, North Dakota, and Virginia. It is a state holiday in Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. Most schools and other educational institutions throughout the U.S. are usually closed on December 24. Many organizations will open as usual, but some may close earlier or offer reduced services. Stores are normally open as usual, but may shut earlier. Stores and malls are likely to be very busy, as people look for last minute Christmas gifts and stock up on food for the festive season.
Public transit systems may run a normal or reduced service, particularly in the evening. If you need to use public transit on Christmas Eve, is it a good idea to check the services that the appropriate companies offer carefully. Many people travel to visit family members or friends on Christmas Eve. There may be some congestion on roads and highways, particularly around major cities. Airports and long distance bus terminals may be especially busy.
About Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve marks the start of the holiday season at the end of the year. For many Christians, it is a day to remember the events around the birth of Jesus. Some people, especially Roman Catholics, attend a midnight mass at church. Traditionally, the midnight mass started at midnight, just as Christmas Eve ended and Christmas Day started. However, now may churches hold this church service in the late afternoon or early evening of Christmas Eve.
Many Protestant churches also hold special services on Christmas Eve. These are often candle-lit and may be very solemn. Some include the presentation of a crib scene depicting the holy family, with statues or actors representing Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, the shepherds and various animals thought to be present in the stable where Jesus was born.
On Christmas Eve in 1914 and 1915, unofficial Christmas truces began in the World War I fighting. German soldiers lit candles and sung Christmas carols. On the other side, British troops responded by singing English carols. Soldiers from both sides shouted greeting and visited each other, sometimes exchanging small gifts. On Christmas Eve in 1968, the astronauts of Apollo 8 read from the creation story in the Book of Genesis. This was widely broadcast on television.

Kwanzaa (first day)
2024-12-26
Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday honoring African culture and traditions. It falls between December 26 and January 1 each year. Maulana Karenga, an African-American leader, proposed this observance and it was first celebrated between December 1966 and January 1967.
Is Kwanzaa (first day) a Public Holiday?
Although Kwanzaa (first day) is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Day After Christmas Day in 2024, which is a public holiday in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
What Do People Do?
Kwanzaa is a holiday honoring the culture and traditions of people of African origin. It is celebrated by people from a range of African countries and their descendants. Kwanzaa consists of a week of celebrations, which ends with a feast and the exchange of gifts. During the celebrations, candles are lit and libations are poured. A libation is the name given to a ritual pouring of a drink as an offering to a god. During Kwanzaa, a wooden unity cup is used to pour the libations.
A Kwanzaa ceremony often also includes performance of music and drumming, a reflection on the Pan-African colors of red, green and black and a discussion of some aspect of African history. Women often wear brightly colored traditional clothing. Some cultural organizations hold special exhibitions of African influenced art or performances during the period of the celebrations.
Originally the people observing Kwanzaa did not mix any elements of other festivals into their celebrations. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly common for people to mix elements of Kwanzaa with Christmas or New Year celebrations. For instance, a family may have both a Christmas tree and a Kwanzaa candle stick on display in their home. This enables them to include both Christian and African inspired traditions in their lives at this time of year.
Public Life
Apart from New Year’s Day (January 1), the days on which Kwanzaa falls are not public holidays. It is largely a private celebration observed by individuals, families and local communities. However, it falls between Christmas and New Year’s Day, when some businesses and organizations may be closed or run fewer services. If you need to do business with a company or organization with an African-American orientation during this period, it may be wise to check whether they are open as usual.
Symbols
The main symbols of Kwanzaa are a mat, on which to put the things needed for the celebration, the unity cup used to pour libations, a candle stick holding seven candles, the seven candles, ears of corn, the Kwanzaa flag and a poster depicting the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: unity; self-determination; collective work and responsibility; co-operative economics; purpose; creativity; and earth.
The colors of Kwanzaa are red, black and green. The Kwanzaa flag consists of three blocks, one in each of these colors. Three of the seven candles are red, three are green and one is black. Each candle represents one of the principles of Kwanzaa. The candle holder is carved from a single piece of wood and its shape was inspired by the form of the Ashanti royal throne.
Background
Kwanzaa was first celebrated in December 1966 and January 1967. The holiday was proposed by Maulana Karenga to give those of African descent a holiday to celebrate their own cultural heritage and the key values of family and community. Although seen as an alternative to Christmas and thus possibly anti-Christian in the early years, many people now observe aspects of both festivals.
In 1997 and 2004, the United States Postal Service honored Kwanzaa by issuing stamps depicting an aspect of the festival. In 1997, the stamp was designed by Synthia Saint James and showed an African-American family observing the celebrations. In 2004, the stamp was designed by Daniel Minter and shows seven figures representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa gained popularity quite quickly. It is now estimated that about 13 percent of African-Americans (nearly five million people) celebrate the festival in some way.

New Year's Eve
2024-12-31
New Year’s Eve, which is on December 31, is the last day of the year in the United States. It is a major social observance and many parties are held, particularly in the evening.
Is New Year’s Eve a Public Holiday?
New Year’s Eve 2024 is a state holiday in Louisiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin and an observance in 48 states.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a major social holiday for many people in the United States. Many people hold parties at home or attend special celebrations to celebrate the upcoming New Year. In many cities, large scale public events are held. These often attract thousands of people.
A particularly striking aspect of the New Year’s Eve festivities is the ball drop in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City. The ball is made of crystal and electric lights and is placed on top of a pole, which is 77 feet, or 23 meters, high. At one minute before midnight on December 31, the ball is lowered slowly down the pole. It comes to rest at the bottom of the pole at exactly midnight. The event is shown on television across the United States and around the world. The event has been held every year since 1907, except during World War II.
Across the United States a range of cities and towns hold their own versions of the ball drop. A variety of objects are lowered or raised during the last minute of the year. The objects are usually linked to an aspect of local history or industry. Examples of objects ‘dropped’ or raised in this way include a variety of live and modeled domestic and wild animals, fruit, vegetables, automobiles, industrial machinery, a giant replica of a peach (Atlanta, Georgia), an acorn made of brass and weighing 900 pounds (Raleigh, North Carolina) and ping pong balls (Strasburg, Pennsylvania).
Public Life
December 31 is not a federal holiday, but it does fall in the holiday season at the end of the year. It is a holiday in some states like Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Most schools and other educational institutions throughout the United States are closed. Some organizations are closed and others are open but offer limited services. Many stores are open on New Year’s Eve, but may close early. Many theaters, clubs and other entertainment venues have special programs. It may be necessary to reserve tickets many weeks in advance.
Public transit systems may operate normal or reduced services. Some companies extend their schedules into the early hours of January 1 to enable people who have attended New Year’s Eve parties to return home safely. If you need to use public transit on December 31, it is wise to check the appropriate timetables carefully before you travel.
There may be some congestion to traffic or diversions around large scale events. Diversions may be in effect in the days before New Year’s Eve so that stands can be built. It is wise to check the local media if you wish to drive to or near large scale events.
About New Year’s Eve
In both the Gregorian calendar, currently used in the United States, and the Julian calendar, which was used until 1752 in the British colonies, the last day of the year is December 31. In Europe, the mid-winter period was traditionally associated with feasting and parties. In the early years of the American colonies and within the United States, this type of celebration was often frowned upon, particularly by religious communities.
Around the start of the 1900s, New Year’s Eve celebrations in America started to appear. The first Ball drop in Times Square was held in 1907. Around the same time, special events to welcome the New Year started to be organized on January 1.

Lunar New Year
2025-01-29
Many people in countries such as the United States celebrate Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. It marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar.
Is Lunar New Year a Public Holiday?
This is not a public holiday. Government and public offices, businesses, and schools are not closed on this day but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the annual observance.
What Do People Do?
Many individuals and communities, particularly Chinese communities, in the United States take part in the Lunar New Year celebrations, which can last for days. Lunar New Year celebrations in the United States have, over the years, included activities and events such as:

Lunar New Year parades featuring colorful costumes, floats, firecrackers and other attractions.
Various dances, including lion and dragon dances.
Chinatown fun runs or walks.
Balls and pageants.
Street fairs.
Firework displays.

Some organizations may hold special contests or make announcements to coincide with Lunar New Year. For example, some newspapers or magazines may announce the top 10 Chinese restaurants in a city or town on Lunar New Year. It is customary for many Chinese-American families to spend time together and exchange gifts, including money wrapped in red and gold packages that are usually given to children.
Public Life
Lunar New Year is not a federal public holiday in the United States. It is a legal observance in California as of 2015. However, some Chinese businesses may be closed on the day or amend their business hours to take part in the Lunar New Year festivities. There may be heavy traffic and some streets may be closed in towns or cities where Lunar New Year celebrations are held.
Background
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (Census 2000: Chinese Largest Asian Group in the United States; March 4, 2002), the Chinese comprised more than 20 percent of the 11.9 million people who identified themselves as Asians in the United States’ Census 2000. That translates into 2.7 million reporting as Chinese – the largest Asian group in the United States.
Chinese historical organizations in the United States can trace the arrival of the Chinese in North, Central and South America as far back as the 1600s. Many Chinese immigrants settled in the United States during the 19th century. With immigration, came Chinese traditions and events such as Lunar New Year, which is now largely celebrated in many communities across the United States.
Symbols
Lunar New Year has various symbols and traditions. For example, flowers are an important part of New Year decorations. Writings that refer to good luck are often seen in homes and business environments. They are usually written by brush on a diamond-shaped piece of red paper. Tangerines and oranges are also displayed in many homes and stores as a sign of luck and wealth.
Envelopes with money (Hong Bao, Ang Pao, or Lai See) often come in the color red, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, success and good fortune. These envelopes are mainly given as presents to children. Each Lunar New Year is associated with an animal name for one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

First Day of Black History Month
2025-02-01
Is First Day of Black History Month a Public Holiday?
This is not a public holiday. Government and public offices, businesses, and schools are not closed for this observation but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the beginning of the month-long annual observation.
Black History Month (1970)
The Black United Students first Black culture center, Kuumba House in Kent State, where many events of the first Black History Month celebration took place.
Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University first proposed Black History Month in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970.
Six years later, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture, and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history

National Freedom Day
2025-02-01, 2026-02-01
National Freedom Day is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment of the nation’s constitution on February 1, 1865. Abraham Lincoln, who was the president at the time, signed the resolution to outlaw slavery. This anniversary is annually observed on February 1.
Is National Freedom Day a Public Holiday?
Even though National Freedom Day falls on Saturday, February 1, 2025, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in United States.
What Do People Do?
Many people in the United States reflect on and remember the importance of freedom on National Freedom Day. The United States president may annually issue a proclamation on the day. Some educational institutions may incorporate themes relating to National Freedom Day as part of class discussion, readings, and other learning activities that explore the importance of the day and its history.
Information on local celebrations or events that center on National Freedom Day may be publicized prior to and on February 1. For some people, it is a time to promote good will, equality, and to appreciate freedom. Wreath-laying at the Liberty Bell has also been a tradition to mark National Freedom Day for many years. Other events include annual breakfasts, luncheons, musical entertainment, film screenings, and literature meetings that explore the theme about freedom.
Public Life
National Freedom Day is an observance, but it is not a public holiday in the United States.
Background
National Freedom Day commemorates the date – February 1, 1865 – when Abraham Lincoln, who was the nation’s president at the time, signed a joint resolution that proposed the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution. The amendment was made to outlaw slavery and was ratified on December 18, 1865.
Major Richard Robert Wright Senior, a former slave who founded the National Freedom Day Association, played a crucial role in creating the observance. Major Wright was deemed as a community leader in Philadelphia and was active in education, the media, business and politics. He hoped to see a day that would be dedicated to celebrating freedom for all Americans.
The first commemoration of such a day took place on February 1, 1942, although it was not made into law yet. A tradition of laying a wreath at Liberty Bell also began. On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill to proclaim February 1 as the first official National Freedom Day in the United States.
Symbols
National Freedom Day’s theme is about freedom for all Americans. Wreath-laying at Liberty Bell, which symbolizes freedom or liberty, has also occurred on this day over the years.

Groundhog Day
2025-02-02
Groundhog Day falls on February 2 in the United States, coinciding with Candlemas. It is a part of popular culture among many Americans and it centers on the idea of the groundhog coming out of its home to “predict” the weather.
Is Groundhog Day a Public Holiday?
Groundhog Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, February 2, 2025 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.
What Do People Do?
Groundhog Day is a popular observance in many parts of the United States. Although some states have in some cases adopted their own groundhogs, the official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, lives at Gobbler’s Knob near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The town has attracted thousands of visitors over the years to experience various Groundhog Day events and activities on February 2.
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club plays an important role in organizing Groundhog Day in the town. Club members, news reporters, locals, and visitors meet at Gobbler’s Knob on February 2 each year to await Phil’s appearance and his weather prediction. Pennsylvania’s governor has been known to attend Groundhog Day ceremonies. Many weather researchers questioned the groundhog’s accuracy in predicting the weather, but some of the groundhog’s fans may not agree.
Public Life
Groundhog Day is an observance but it is not a public holiday in the United States. However, areas around parks and some streets may be busy or congested in towns, such as Punxsutawney, where Groundhog Day events are popular.
Roots in Nature
Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the area of Europe now known as Germany believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. By the time the first German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania they probably understood that this was not true but the tradition continued.
Unfortunately, there were not many badgers in Pennsylvania so the groundhog was substituted for the badger. Tradition has it that if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 it will be frightened by it and will then return to its burrow, indicating that there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.
Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the United States in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob was made on February 2, 1887. It is said that Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) was named after King Phillip. He was called Br’er Groundhog prior to being known as Phil. Canada also celebrates Groundhog Day.
The movie “Groundhog Day” from 1993, starring comedian Bill Murray, made Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania famous worldwide. The film’s plot added new meaning to the term “Groundhog Day” as something that repeats itself endlessly.
Note: References to seasonal changes in this article relate to the Northern Hemisphere.

Rosa Parks Day
2025-02-04
Rosa Parks Day is an American observance to honor civil rights activist Rosa Parks, who was known for refusing to give up her seat on a bus.
Is Rosa Parks Day a Public Holiday?
This is not a public holiday. Government and public offices, businesses, and schools are not closed on this day but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the annual observance.
It is observed in California and Missouri on February 4 and Alabama and Ohio on December 1.
Celebrate Rosa Parks Day
Rosa Parks Day promotes equal opportunities, civil rights, and fairness across communities in the U.S. Church leaders, politicians, and organizational leaders unite in states like California and Ohio to promote the day with a range of events and activities.
Many schools have classroom activities that focus on Rosa Parks’ struggles for equality and achievements against discrimination.
Public Life
Rosa Parks Day is an observance and not a public holiday in the U.S.
About Rosa Parks
On December 1, 1955, African American seamstress Rosa Parks was travelling in a Montgomery City bus when the bus driver asked her to vacate her seat for a white man. The driver’s request was standard practice of racial segregation in buses at the time. Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat on the grounds of fairness, freedom and equality. As a result, she was arrested and convicted of violating the laws of segregation, known as the “Jim Crow” laws. She appealed her conviction and formally challenged the legality of segregation. At the same time, civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King Jr, boycotted the Montgomery bus system.
The boycott lasted for 381 days, into December 1956, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the segregation law was unconstitutional and the Montgomery buses should be integrated. This boycott kick-started other civil rights protests throughout the U.S. Over the years, the Rosa Parks bus has become a symbol of the fight for equal rights. It has been fully restored and is now displayed in the Henry Ford Museum. Rosa Parks’ Day, on February 4, is also known as the Day of Courage.

Valentine's Day
2025-02-14
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love and many people give cards, letters, flowers or presents to their spouse or partner. They may also arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel. Common symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts, red roses and Cupid.
Is Valentine’s Day a Public Holiday?
Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Many people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters, giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants or romantic nights in hotels. People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known, often anonymously. Valentine’s cards are often decorated with images of hearts, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine’s Day gifts are flowers chocolates, candy, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. However, some people use the occasion to present lavish gifts, such as jewelry. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers at this time. These can include romantic meals or weekend breaks.
Public Life
Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday. Government offices, stores, schools and other organizations are open as usual. Public transit systems run on their regular schedule. Restaurants may be busier than usual as many people go out for an evening with their spouse or partner. Valentine’s Day is also a very popular date for weddings.
Background
There are a number of Saints called Valentine who are honored on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages in England. This may have followed on from the Pagan fertility festivals that were held all over Europe as the winter came to an end. Traditionally, lovers exchanged hand written notes. Commercial cards became available in the mid nineteenth century.
Symbols
The most common Valentine’s Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people. People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be ‘struck by Cupid’s arrow. Other symbols of Valentine’s Day are couples in loving embraces and the gifts of flowers, chocolate, red roses and lingerie that couples often give each other.

St. David's Day
2025-03-01
Many Americans of Welsh origin annually celebrate the life of Wales’ patron saint, St David on March 1. It is also a time to people to remember the Welsh culture and to appreciate their Welsh origins. The Welsh flag is often seen during celebrations on the day, as well as daffodils or leeks pinned to clothing.
Is St. David’s Day a Public Holiday?
Even though St. David’s Day falls on Saturday, March 1, 2025, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in United States.
What Do People Do?
Many people with Welsh ancestry or ties celebrate St David’s life and the Welsh culture in the United States. Some people may attend a special St David’s Day church service while others may cook a nice meal to share with friends or family. Meals may include herbed lamb chops, Welsh pot bread, or Caerphilly Crumble.
Many groups may organize special events or parties that may include carrying the flag of Wales, dressing in traditional costumes, and wearing daffodils or leeks on clothing. The Welsh flag, a red dragon on a white and green background, is displayed prominently and a festive mood prevails.
Public Life
St David’s Day is not a public holiday in the United States. However, it is a day of celebration so some community groups, schools, and businesses may have a special program for the day.
Background
St David is the patron saint of Wales. He plays a very important role in Welsh culture but little is known about his life. St David’s Day was recognized officially as the national day for people of Welsh origin in the United States in 2003. The Empire State Building was floodlit in the Welsh national colors, which are red, green and white, on March 1 that year. An article on St David’s Day in the United Kingdom covers more information about St David’s Day’s origins and symbols.

Read Across America Day
2025-03-03
Many people in the United States, particularly students, parents and teachers, join forces on Read Across America Day, annually held on the first school day closest to March 2. This nationwide observance coincides with the birthday of Dr Seuss on March 2, who is known for writing children’s books.
Is Read Across America Day a Public Holiday?
Read Across America Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Read Across America Day promotes reading, particularly for children and young adults. Many schools, libraries, and community centers across the United States participate in the day by bringing people together to take part in reading books. Various reading activities and events are held across the country on this day. For example, some students take part in a Read Across America channel designed to showcase student and educator videos around the country. Others make reading pledges, organize book fairs, or read aloud to groups of people.
Public Life
Read Across America Day an observance and is not a federal public holiday in the United States.
Background
In 1997 an organization known as the National Education Association (NEA), pushed for a special day to celebrate reading throughout the United States. This idea proved to be a popular one so it was not long before the first Read Across America Day was held on March 2, 1998. This nationwide observance coincides with the birthday of Dr Seuss (Geisel), an American writer best known writing children’s books. Some of his books include Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and The Cat in the Hat.
The NEA represents about 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. It provides resources and activities for educators, parents, and children.
Symbols
Read Across America calendars and other promotional material for Read Across America Day show images of activities associated with reading, learning, literacy and other elements of education.

Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras
2025-03-04
Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the fasting period of Lent (for Western Christians), 47 days before Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday is also called Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Day.
Is Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras a Public Holiday?
Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras 2025 is a state holiday in 4 states and an observance, christian in 47 states.
What Is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in French. It was the last day to use fat and fatty foods before the time of Lent when Christians would fast. Today, the word Mardi Gras mainly refers to Mardi Gras parades or Carnival parades in former French-speaking territories like Alabama and Louisiana. For many people, Mardi Gras means colorful parades, dancing, glittering costumes, and extravagant balls.
What Is Shrove Tuesday?

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the fasting period of Lent in Western Christian churches. On Shrove Monday and Shrove Tuesday, people in many countries celebrate Carnival, bake pancakes, and prepare themselves for 40 days of fasting before the most important festival in the Christian Church: Easter.

Mardi Gras Traditions
To celebrate Mardi Gras, people dress up in eye-catching costumes – featuring the colors purple, green, and gold – and dance in the streets or as part of a spectacular ball. Debutantes are introduced at the Ball Tableau as a formal introduction to society.
People throw trinkets like plastic jewelry and sweets to crowds as part of the customary “parade throw” at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebration. During the Bacchus parade, the king’s float throws doubloons with the image of the “Celebrity King” to parade watchers.
A rare item you can catch from a Mardi Gras parade is the New Orleans Zulu or Golden Coconut, a painted coconut with added glitter, either in gold or painted like Zulu faces. Officially, throwing these coconuts has been forbidden since 1988 – but you might still catch one.
Mardi Gras Parades
On Mardi Gras, many people in the United States take part in parades and festivities, mainly in southern states like Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. Mardi Gras parades feature feathered masques, colorful costumes, and marching bands, as well as many local customs.
In Alabama, Mardi Gras is mainly celebrated in the counties of Mobile and Baldwin, where parades can start as early as January and traditionally feature marching bands along side colorful floats.
In Galveston, Texas, people celebrate Mardi Gras with masked balls, a royal coronation, Cajun dances, and jazz performances.
The most famous Mardi Gras parade in the US is probably held in New Orleans, with thousands of people flocking into the city just for the event. There are many old traditions as part of the Mardi Gras festivities, such as the King of the Carnival and Monarch of Merriment, as well as Comus, the God of Revelry.
Mardi Gras Food
Traditional Mardi Gras food includes the super sweet King Cake covered in colorful frosting. The person who gets the piece of the cake containing the hidden baby charm or little Jesus figurine is dubbed the “King” of that year’s Mardi Gras.
Crawfish Étoufée, a thick stew served with white rice, is another traditional Cajun and Creole dish served in New Orleans at Mardi Gras.
History of Mardi Gras in the US
Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States go back as early as 1703, when French soldiers held festivities in Mobile, Alabama. Back then it was more of a pre-Lent celebration akin to festivities on Shrove Tuesday in modern-day France.
Mardi Gras became a parade event in 1857, when the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, the first of Mobile’s organizations that journeyed to New Orleans, set up a Mardi Gras celebration with the first carnival society, the Mistick Krewe of Comus.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, parades and large gatherings were canceled. In order to keep the spirit alive, many New Orleans residents decorated their houses and front yards in spectacular fashion, earning the 2021 festivities the nickname “Yardi Gras”.

Employee Appreciation Day
2025-03-07
Bosses across the United States have the chance to support, thank and reward workers on Employee Appreciation Day on the first Friday in March.
Is Employee Appreciation Day a Public Holiday?
Employee Appreciation Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
Appreciate your staff
Employee Appreciation Day is a non-official day and there’s no real authority on what needs to be done, but if you’re a boss and want to show your team just how much you appreciate them, you could try out some of these ideas:

Treat your staff to breakfast, lunch or snacks.
Host an office party or an after-work get-together for your staff.
Give workers some of the day off.
Organize an outdoor team building exercise, like a tug-of-war or an fun office quiz.
Take fun pictures and post them on the company social media pages to show the world just how much you care!

What’s Open or Closed?
Businesses carry on as usual on Employee Appreciation Day. It is an observance in the US, but not a public holiday.
Good people are hard to find
Known in the US as the “Guru of Thank You”, Dr. Bob Nelson, a founding member of the Recognition Professionals International (RPI) (previously NAER- National Association for Employee Recognition), had the honor of kick starting the first Employee Appreciation Day in 1995.
Training new staff is costly, and employers use all manners of techniques to boost worker morale and help retain employees and their valuable expertise. Employee Recognition is a large industry in its own right, and there are university studies dedicated to organizational behavior all over the world.

St. Patrick's Day
2025-03-17
St Patrick’s Day, on March 17, remembers one of Ireland’s patron saints, St Patrick. It largely celebrates Irish-American culture in the United States.
Is St. Patrick’s Day a Public Holiday?
Although St. Patrick’s Day is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Evacuation Day in 2025, which is a public holiday in Massachusetts.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Celebrations concentrate on Irish themed parties, drinks and food. Many people get into the spirit by dressing in green clothing and eating green colored food. Irish clubs and pubs often hold parties or have special deals. Large street parades mark St Patrick’s Day in places like:

Savannah
Chicago
Boston
Houston
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Denver
Detroit
Toronto
New York
New Orleans
Seattle

Water is dyed green in public places in some towns. The most notable body of water that was dyed green was the Chicago River in 2005.
What’s Open or Closed?
St Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday in the United States. Schools, businesses and organizations are open as usual. Public transport systems run on their regular schedules. There may be some local disruption to traffic due to St Patrick’s Day parades. This is particularly true in cities with a large Irish-American population, including New York, New Orleans and Seattle. The parades may be on or around March 17, so it is a good idea to check local sources for the exact location, date and time.
About St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick is one of Ireland’s patron saints and many Americans with Irish ancestry remember him on March 17. Patrick’s Day is fixed on March 17, but may occasionally be moved by Catholic Church authorities. This happened in 1940, so that the celebrations would not fall on Palm Sunday, and in 2008 to avoid Holy Monday, the last Monday before Easter Sunday.
Symbols
The most common St Patrick’s Day symbol is the shamrock. The shamrock is the leaf of the clover plant and a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Other symbols include:

Almost anything green.
The green, orange and white flag of the Republic of Ireland.
Brands of beer associated with Irish culture.

Religious symbols include snakes and serpents. Other symbols seen on St Patrick’s Day include the harp, which was used in Ireland for centuries, as well as the leprechaun and a pot of gold that it hides.

Doctors' Day
2025-03-30
March 30 marks an important occasion in the world of health care—National Doctors’ Day. This annual observance serves as a moment to honor the dedication, skill and unwavering commitment of physicians in providing high-quality health care to individuals and communities worldwide.

Supporting Physicians

National Doctors’ Day is one way to acknowledge the hard work of our nations’ physicians who deserve support every day of the year.

National Doctors’ Day has a rich history dating back to 1933 when Charles B. Almond, MD, initiated the first celebration in Winder, Georgia. Since then, it has grown into a national event recognized and celebrated by health care organizations and institutions across the United States.
Physicians play a pivotal role in safeguarding and improving the well-being of patients. Their extensive education, training and expertise are essential in diagnosing and treating a vast array of medical conditions. Beyond their clinical roles, doctors contribute significantly to medical research, innovation and the continuous improvement of health care practices.
This day offers an opportunity for health care institutions and patients to express their gratitude and appreciation for the tireless efforts of physicians.

First Day of Black History Month
2026-02-01
Is First Day of Black History Month a Public Holiday?
This is not a public holiday. Government and public offices, businesses, and schools are not closed for this observation but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the beginning of the month-long annual observation.
Black History Month (1970)
The Black United Students first Black culture center, Kuumba House in Kent State, where many events of the first Black History Month celebration took place.Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University first proposed Black History Month in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970.
Six years later, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture, and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history
