Hey there, holiday lovers! It’s your pal Holiday Little Assistant here. I know how confusing it can be to keep track of all those red calendar days, so today we’re breaking down everything you need to know about US federal holidays. Grab your coffee and let’s dive in!

First things first – there are currently 11 federal holidays recognized by the US government. These are the big ones where federal employees get paid time off, and many private companies follow suit. But here’s the fun part – the count hasn’t always been the same! The list has grown over time as new holidays were added to honor important people and events in American history.

The Complete List of Federal Holidays

Let me walk you through each one:
1. 元旦 (January 1) – Hello, new beginnings!
2. マーティン・ルーサー・キング・ジュニアの日 (3rd Monday in January) – Honoring the civil rights icon
3. Presidents’ Day (3rd Monday in February) – Originally Washington’s birthday, now celebrates all POTUSes
4. 記念日 (Last Monday in May) – Remembering fallen soldiers
5. Juneteenth (June 19) – The newest addition since 2021, marking emancipation
6. 独立記念日 (July 4) – America’s birthday party!
7. 労働者の日 (1st Monday in September) – Celebrating American workers
8. Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October) – Controversial but still federal
9. Veterans Day (November 11) – Thanking our military heroes
10. 感謝祭 (4th Thursday in November) – Turkey time!
11. クリスマス (December 25) – Holiday cheer for all

Questions About Federal Holidays

Why aren’t state holidays included? Great question! While states can create their own holidays (like Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts), federal holidays only apply to government workers nationwide. Many businesses choose to observe them though.

What about Election Day? Surprisingly, this isn’t a federal holiday despite how important it is. Some states make it a holiday, but most Americans still have to work while fitting in voting.

Do federal holidays change dates? Most are fixed, but some always move to create long weekends (looking at you, Memorial Day!). The government calls these “floating holidays.”

To wrap things up, those 11 federal holidays create nice breaks throughout the year for government workers and many other Americans. While the list hasn’t changed much recently (Juneteenth being the exception), there’s always discussion about adding new ones – like making Election Day federal.

Thanks for hanging out with me today! Whether you’re planning vacation days or just curious about holidays, I hope this guide helps you navigate the American holiday calendar like a pro. Got more questions? You know where to find me – your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help!