National Holidays: There are many different holidays that are recognized across the country. Learn about Columbus Day, Washington’s Birthday, Presidents Day, and Independence Day. Learn about the history of each holiday and why they’re so important to the American people. Then learn about the traditions that accompany them. And then celebrate them with your family and friends! There are some traditions that are particularly significant in the lives of American citizens. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to make your own!
Independence Day
July 4 is a national holiday celebrated across the United States to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, thirteen colonies that would become the United States had declared independence from Great Britain. They were angry about the unjust treatment they received from the king and parliament, and wanted freedom from their oppressors. The leaders of these colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, which declared that the colonies were free from the rule of Great Britain.
The celebrations on Independence Day include concerts and parades in every city, and one gun is fired to represent each state. The largest fireworks display in the country takes place in New York City, sponsored by Macy’s. In the past, up to 22 tons of pyrotechnics have been let off. Other notable displays are held in San Diego and Seattle, and in Washington, D.C. A national anthem is also sung to commemorate the day.
The day was first celebrated on July 4th, 1776. After that, people celebrated the day as a public holiday. The next year, Independence Day celebrations grew in number, until, in 1870, the federal government declared July 4th as a Federal Holiday. In 1938, Congress made Independence Day a paid holiday. Today, around 500,000 people gather on the Capitol lawn in Washington, DC to celebrate the day. The first Americans celebrated Independence Day by lighting fireworks and having picnics.
Americans did not start celebrating Independence Day regularly until the War of 1812, when the nation faced Great Britain once again. By the 1870s, Independence Day had become “the most important secular holiday on the calendar.” It was during this time that Congress made July 4th a federal holiday, making it one of four federal holidays. It was also the first federal holiday to be designated by Congress, and it also extended limited holiday benefits to federal workers.
Columbus Day
The original purpose of Columbus Day was to honor the man who discovered the Americas, and it is now celebrated on the second Monday in October. However, many countries do not celebrate this day in the same way. Some countries, such as the United States, have adopted alternate observances to celebrate Indigenous Peoples. The name Columbus Day has been used in several different languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. The holiday is also a time to remember the history of European colonization in the Americas.
In the United States, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October and is a federal holiday. Most government offices and some private businesses will be closed on Columbus Day. Some states may also change the day the federal holiday is observed. Schools, however, typically remain open. Some states choose not to observe Columbus Day in their state. Some states do not recognize the holiday, so check with your local government to find out if they will celebrate it.
Columbus Day was established as a federal holiday in 1692. Today, it is recognized as one of the 10 official federal holidays. The holiday will be observed on Monday, October 10th, 2022. The date of the holiday changes every five years, so you should check with your state’s governor’s office for any updates. In addition, most federal employees have Monday-to-Friday work schedules. If Columbus Day falls on a weekend, it will be observed on the next regular workday.
A proclamation issued by Benjamin Harrison in 1892 described Christopher Columbus as a “pioneer of enlightenment and progress.” Since then, Columbus Day has been commemorated in many ways. School programs, plays, and community events have been popular ways to remember the man who discovered America. The Society of St. Tammany, a group of Catholic priests, was the first organization to make Columbus Day a national holiday in the United States.
Washington’s Birthday
The third Monday of February is Washington’s birthday on the federal governmental level. On this day, all persons who have served as president are honored. Presidents have served a variety of roles throughout the United States, and today, Presidents’ Day is a time to recognize their achievements and thank them for their contributions. This holiday also honors the first female president of the United States. If you are a history buff, you will appreciate the many museums, memorials, and activities dedicated to this day.
In 1885, the federal government made Washington’s birthday an official federal holiday. Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, signed the law into law, but it was never on Washington’s actual birthday. Regardless, this holiday is an opportunity for celebration in communities across the country. Many stores will hold special sales on items related to the holiday. The day also honors military veterans, as the Purple Heart medal bears the image of Washington and is awarded on this holiday.
The first president of the United States, George Washington, was born on February 22, 1732. Although the Old Style Calendar was used to determine his birthday, people in the United States celebrated him on February 11. In the late 18th century, the date was switched back to the original date, in 1885, the day was made a federal holiday. In 1971, the federal government changed the holiday date to the third Monday of February. Recent years, Washington’s Birthday has become a holiday for people across the country.
Today, Washington’s Birthday is celebrated in all fifty states and territories, and the day is also a day to honor past U.S. presidents. In some states, the day is also called Presidents’ Day. In commemoration of Washington’s birthday, schools and stores plan events based on the lives of these American leaders. They also host special sales to honor George Washington. The day is often a great time to get a new pair of shoes and other memorabilia.
Presidents Day
Presidents’ Day is an official national holiday that falls on the second Monday of February, usually between the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It originated informally on Feb. 22, 1800, one year after the death of George Washington. The day was first made official by President Rutherford B. Hayes, who signed a law that added George Washington’s birthday to the list of bank holidays. The law, however, only applied to federal workers in Washington D.C.
The U.S. government allows each state to name the holiday however they choose, and many do not officially observe Washington’s Birthday. However, most states still recognize the day as Washington’s Birthday, although they no longer refer to it as such. In addition, Presidents Day is also known as Presidents’ Day. Historically, the holiday was known as Washington’s Birthday, but in recent years it has become Presidents’ Day.
In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed, shifting several federal holidays to Mondays. This made the calendar much simpler and gave workers a three-day weekend. It was a good idea, but opponents argued that holidays should be celebrated on the dates commemorated by them. Another proposed change was to change Washington’s birthday to Presidents’ Day. Presidents Day was never officially recognized as a national holiday.
For those looking to learn more about the presidency, the obvious place is Washington D.C. If you live elsewhere, you can learn more about your own city’s government. Museums and local history centers may have important documents about the presidents. Despite its name, Presidents’ Day is a national holiday. It also means that most businesses and schools will be closed on that day. However, if you plan to shop or go to the grocery store on that day, many retail establishments will still be open.
Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to make the third Monday in January the official Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday. This bill had been drafted by Coretta Scott King, SCLC President Joseph E. Lowery, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Executive Director Benjamin Hooks. However, the bill’s opponents, including Republican Senators Jesse Helms and John Porter East, blocked the bill by presenting FBI smear materials on King. In the end, the bill passed by 78-22, and President Reagan signed it.
Since then, the day has been celebrated as a time for remembrance and celebration. The civil rights activist, minister, and activist has become a national symbol of peace and justice. Although the holiday was created after fifteen years of tumultuous history, the celebration still inspires people around the world. It is a day to honor those who helped make our nation a better place. The day also celebrates King’s work in racial equality, voting rights, and other important endeavors.
After King’s assassination, Congress did not take action on the holiday until 1982, but a bill to honor King’s birthday passed in 1983. It took an additional five years for the holiday to be officially recognized by the federal government and to be observed by all 50 states. Today, the holiday is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, promoting volunteering and community service throughout the country.
While President Reagan signs the bill declaring the third Monday in January as a federal holiday, some critics of the bill argued that it would be too costly and would be unpopular to celebrate King as a private citizen. As a result, only two other individuals have national holidays in the United States. And the King holiday is not recognized by many businesses and organizations in most states. There are some local exceptions. Despite the national holiday, however, many businesses will remain open on MLK Day.