You
are probably here because you want to know when the
federal holidays are for 2012. Holidays are special
events in history, celebrations of important people,
remembrance of special people, a time for giving thanks
to people who have contributed to the United States, and
a time for religious worship. The list below documents
federal holidays which have been made official, but do
not reflect our varied cultures. Many of us celebrate
many different holidays, that were not made a federal
holiday. The federal holiday calendar is used to not
only give federal employees a day in which to celebrate
the holiday, but to let others join also on the same
days.
There are ten federal Holidays observed in each calendar
year. Presidential inaugurations, every fourth year, are
also considered as an eleventh holiday for Federal
workers attending the presidential ceremony. Most
federal holidays are celebrated on Mondays, due to the
Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which took effect on January
1, 1971. The Act was designed to permit three-day
weekends for federal employees. Federal holidays are
designated by the United States Congress, in Title V of
the United States Code. Federal holidays are designated
legally by the President and Congress. During these
holidays, all federal offices are closed. Schools and
most businesses are also closed, yet each state may
decide for themselves, when to observe holidays. The
list below is strictly for federal holiday calendars,
not private businesses, and not for all states. Only
federal United States employees are assured days off on
these days.
If a federal holiday happens to fall on a Saturday, it
is celebrated the preceding Friday. If it should fall on
a Sunday, it is celebrated the following Monday. Most
businesses, and states, but not all, observe a Sunday
holiday on the following Monday. There are no general
rules followed if the holiday falls on a Saturday. It
may be observed on the preceding Friday, or the
following Monday. For instance, if banks that already
close on Saturday, may not observe a holiday day off, if
the holiday falls on a Saturday. Confusing as it may be,
this is a list of Federal Holidays for the year 2012:
New Years Day (Monday, January 2nd)
This is a day to celebrate the new year arriving, and to
reflect on the past. Often celebrated in America with
fireworks at midnight, the new year in pagan tradition,
celebrated Janus, who had two faces. One face of Janus
looked forward, and the other looked back. New Years Day
is celebrated on January 1st, but since it falls on a
Sunday, the following Monday is a day off of work to
celebrate also.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 16th)
We celebrate the birthday of this great Civil Rights
leader and orator who worked very hard to end racial
segregation and racial discrimination in America. He
started the Civil Rights Movement, and was the youngest
person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. He
was actually born on January 15th, 1929, but we
celebrate the holiday on the following Monday.
Inauguration Day (January 20th every fourth year
following a presidential election)
This holiday occurs upon the start of a new term of
office for the President of the United States. On this
day, the newly elected president, takes an oath to
execute the duties of the President of the United
States.
Washington's Birthday (Monday, February 20th)
This holiday is for George Washington, our founding
father, but also is observed as “President's Day” to
honor the contributions of each president of the United
States of America. Congress designated this a holiday in
1880. President Washington was actually born on February
22, but we observe the holiday on the preceding Monday.
Memorial Day
(Monday, May 28th)
This holiday is also known as “Decoration Day”.
Originating in the 19th century, it is used as a day to
remember American Civil War Soldiers, and to decorate
graves of all soldiers who have fought for our country.
Traditionally, it is recognized as the beginning of
Summer. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in
May.
Independence Day (Wednesday, July 4th)
We celebrate the signing of the Declaration of
Independence on the fourth of July. It declared that
thirteen American colonies, regarded themselves as
independent from Great Britain during the American
Revolution.
Labor Day (Monday, September 3rd)
On the first Monday in September, it acknowledges the
economic and social contributions of the employee to the
United States' strength and prosperity. Labor day
traditionally marks the end of Summer. Oregon was the
first state to make it a holiday in 1887, and it became
a United States federal holiday in 1894.
Columbus Day (Monday, October 8th)
Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas on October
12, 1492. Celebrating Columbus' arrival to America has
been celebrated since 1792. Columbus Day became an
official state holiday in Colorado, in 1906, and a
United States federal holiday, in 1937.
Veteran's Day (Monday, November 12th)
Also called “Armistice Day”, and “Remembrance Day”, this
holiday commemorates signing the armistice, ending World
War I in the United States. It is a day to honor all
veterans of the United States Armed Forces, and any
surviving veterans of any war which was fought for the
United States.
Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 22nd)
Celebrated since 1863, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the
fourth Thursday in November, and was a time for the
Pilgrims to give thanks to God for guiding them safely
to the New World. It is a time for all to give thanks
for the blessings that they have had in their lives.
Christmas Day (Tuesday, December 25th)
Designated a federal holiday by Congress, and President
Ulysses S. Grant in 1870, Christmas celebrates the birth
of Jesus Christ. It is a time of anticipation, and
reflection on the arrival of Christ, and his blessings.
It is a religious holiday to celebrate Jesus, the
central figure of Christianity, with friends and family,
remembering his blessings.
These federal holidays are to respect those who have
enriched our lives, making America the land of freedom
that it is today, and to remember how blessed we are
during religious holidays also. Instead of viewing these
holidays as merely a day that we do not have to work, we
should use these days to research, respect, and remember
what a great country we live in, and share this with
each other. There are many other holidays to share as
well, and although they are not named federal holidays,
they are worth learning about, because they all contribute to our United States of America.
