Holidays Celebrated in the United States

The United States is a multicultural society with citizens whose ancestry comes from all over the world. Not only do Americans celebrate the holidays unique to their own national history, they embrace many of the holidays celebrated in other countries.

National United States Holidays

Celebrated In Many Countries

Three United States national holidays are shared with many other countries.

New Year's Day

The New Year begins on January 1. In the United States, people often attend parties on New Year’s Eve where they count down the final minutes of the old year. Those that stay home might watch the ball drop in Times Square, New York. Fireworks, noisemakers, and a kiss on the strike of midnight are all part of the New Year’s tradition. Americans wish each other good luck in the coming year and they often make New Year resolutions (promises of self-improvement).

Easter

Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It takes place on a Sunday in March or April, but the exact date varies from year to year. It’s a day spent with religious services and family. Many Americans color hard-boiled eggs and give children baskets of candy. Traditionally, an Easter Bunny delivers the candy and hides eggs for children to find.

Christmas

Christmas is a federal holiday celebrated on December 25. It is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Those who celebrate Christmas may decorate their houses with lights, put up Christmas trees, and exchange gifts and cards.

Uniquely American

The following holidays are specific to the United States, with their origins a part of American history.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is actually on January 15, but it is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday in January. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African-American clergyman who became a leader of the civil rights movement. He preached non-violence and unity.

Presidents Day

Presidents Day is used to honor both George Washington (born Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (born Feb. 12). Washington’s birthday has been celebrated since he was in office, but some states decided that they also wanted to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday. As a result, some states still refer to this day as Washington’s Birthday, while others refer to it as President’s Day.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. Originally, this day was created to honor the soldiers who lost their lives in the American Civil War. Since then, it has been used to honor all dead, particularly those killed in wars. The American Flag is widely flown and there are special memorial programs at cemeteries and meeting places.

Flag Day

Flag Day takes place on June 14. While it is not a federal holiday, Americans display flags outside their homes and businesses to honor the flag.

Independence Day

Taking place on July 4, this federal holiday celebrates the birthday of the USA.  On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and Americans honor this day by flying the flag. Picnics, parades, concerts, and fireworks are all part of the day’s celebrations.

Labor Day

Labor Day takes place on the first Monday of September. This federal holiday honors the nation's working people with parades and picnics. Labor Day often marks the end of the summer and the start of a new school year.

Columbus Day

Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus and his landing in the New World on October 12, 1492. It is a federal holiday and is often celebrated with parades.

Veteran's Day

Originally called Armistice Day, this federal holiday is celebrated on November 11. It was meant to honor Americans who had served in World War I, but it now honors American veterans of all wars. The president places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and parades are often held.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a federal holiday and is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It commemorates the first Thanksgiving meal, which took place in 1621 when Puritans gave thanks for their bountiful harvest and survival of a difficult winter. The Thanksgiving feast is a national tradition and usually includes roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Other United States Celebration Days

Valentine's Day

This romantic holiday was named after an early Christian martyr. On February 14, Americans celebrate Valentine's Day by giving candy and flowers to the ones they love. The symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts, roses, and cupids.

Halloween

October 31 marks Halloween. American children dress up in costumes and go "trick or treating". They knock on doors and say “trick or treat” when the door opens. The owner of the house is expected to give small pieces of candy.

Ethnic and Religious Days Celebrated in the United States

Mexican-American

La Dia De Los Muertos

The Mexican Day of the Dead is observed on November 1 and 2. It is celebrated in the US among the Mexican-American community as a day when the spirits of departed loved ones can come back to celebrate with the family. Sugar skulls, paper cuttings, and shrine-like altars are symbolic of this day.

Cinco De Mayo

Often confused with Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo takes place on the 5^th of May. It commemorates a victory over French forces.

Irish-Americans/Catholicism

St. Patrick’s Day

March 17 marks St. Patrick’s Day. Even though it’s a Catholic holiday, it’s the Irish-American community who brought it to the forefront of celebrations. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the Irish-American community, as well as non-Irish-Americans, celebrates this day with food, parades, and parties.

Mardi Gras

French for “Fat Tuesday”, Mardi Gras marks the beginning of Lent. It is derived from the French tradition of indulging in food, drinking, and parties before the self-deprivation of the Lenten season starts. New Orleans is the most famous location for Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States. It is celebrated with parades, alcoholic beverages, and costumes.

African-Americans

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is observed during the week of December 26-January 1. This week-long celebration of African heritage consists of lighting candles, feasts, and gift giving.

Judaism

Hanukkah

Hanukkah takes place in December and is a festival of lights. A candle is lit during each of the eight days of this celebration, commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the temple’s oil lasting eight days.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is a Jewish day of atonement. It is a very religious holiday and is marked with fasting, repentance, and services in the synagogue.

Some holidays in the United States are more somber than others, but the majority of them celebrate or commemorate some aspect of American history. They also reflect the different historical cultures of the American people.