Federal holiday
From Free net encyclopedia
In the United States, a Federal holiday is a holiday recognized by the United States Government. Non-essential offices are closed, including banks. All federal employees are paid for the holiday; those who are required to work on the holiday receive wages for that day in addition to holiday pay.
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List of Holidays
The ten recognized Federal holidays are
- New Year's Day - January 1
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. - third Monday in January
- Washington's Birthday - third Monday in February
- Memorial Day - last Monday in May
- Independence Day - July 4
- Labor Day - first Monday in September
- Columbus Day - second Monday in October
- Veterans Day - November 11
- Thanksgiving Day - fourth Thursday in November
- Christmas Day - December 25
These are the official names in the law that defines holidays for federal employees. The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is commonly called "Martin Luther King Day", and Washington's Birthday is commonly called "Presidents' Day". Independence Day is often called "The 4th of July".
New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Day are observed on the same calendar date each year, unless one falls on a weekend. Holidays that fall on a Saturday are observed on the previous Friday, and those that fall on a Sunday are observed the following Monday. The other holidays always fall on a particular day of the week.
Federal law does not compel states to recognize these days in any way. Most states do use the same holidays, however, for their employees as well as their public schools. Neither does the federal government recognize state and local holidays, although some offices may close as circumstances dictate.
Neither are private employers required to observe them, although many businesses will close at least for New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Presidential Proclamation
Federal law also provides for the declaration of other public holidays by the President of the United States. Generally the president will provide a reasoning behind the elevation of the day, and call on the people of the United States to observe the day "with appropriate ceremonies and activities." However, there is no requirement that business or government close on these days, and many members of the general public never become aware that such holidays even exist. Holidays proclaimed in this way may be considered a "national holiday," but it would be improper to refer to them as a "federal holiday".
Controversy
Some people have objected to honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. or Christopher Columbus with holidays. As a result, Martin Luther King Day took several years to gain national acceptance and was renamed Human Rights Day in some locations, and Columbus Day is not celebrated in some states, although it remains a holiday for federal workers in those states.
See also
Controversy also surronds the celebration of Christmas in some areas, where schools rename it Winter Holiday or Winter Break.