Holidays

Holidays in USA

State holidays in the USA are often closely linked to historical and social events, while religious motives play a subordinate role. In contrast to Germany, these holidays are not necessarily work-free, but rather negotiated between employers and employees. In addition, there are also national regulations.

Overview

New Year’s Day – New Year’s Day, January 1

Martin Luther King Day, the third Monday of each January

Washington’s Birthday – the third Monday of each February

Memorial Day – Memorial Day, on the last Monday of May each year

Independence Day – Independence Day on July 4

Labor Day – first Monday in September

Columbus Day – second Monday of each October

Veterans Day – November 11

Thanksgiving Day – fourth Thursday of November

each year.

Christmas Day – Christmas, December 25

Worth knowing about selected holidays

Martin Luther King Day

This day is dedicated to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, who was assassinated in 1968, though the date is only partially a work holiday in the United States. The holiday could only be enforced against some resistance, a special custom around this date has not yet developed, as it is a relatively new regulation from 1983. The reason for the resistance to declare this date a holiday was the negative attitude of the civil rights activist towards the Vietnam War.

Washington’s Birthday

George Washington was the figurehead of the War for Independence and the first president of the United States. In his honor, the third Monday in February is observed as a national holiday. Stores often offer discounts on this date and schools focus on the life and work of the first president. This is an important holiday that is celebrated nationwide.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day serves to commemorate those who have fallen in battle for their country. The date has its origins in the American Civil War. In 1868, the day was first declared a national holiday. After World War I, Memorial Day was established to honor all American fallen.

To commemorate those who died in the wars, cemeteries are visited and graves are decorated with flags on this day. In addition, the U.S. flag is flown at half-mast in front of the government building. At the same time, this date marks the beginning of summer, which is celebrated with picnics, for example. Many outdoor swimming pools also open in time for Memorial Day, but the latter is not nationally mandatory.

Independence Day (Independence Day)

Independence Day on July 4, also known as the Fourth of July, is to commemorate the ratification of the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence. It is from this date that the United States of America is first referred to. The ratification of the Declaration of Independence is equivalent to the founding of the state and is celebrated accordingly. The name Independence Day, however, first appeared in 1791.

Parades, fireworks, concerts and picnics are the means by which attention is drawn to this historic date nationwide. The raising of the American flag is also one such sign. Independence Day has a great symbolic significance in the United States, often events are placed on this very date to give them more relevance. Events that fall on this day are also said to have a forward-looking function.

Labor Day (Labor Day)

Labor Day is a commemoration of the labor movement and is a national holiday in the United States, as it is in many other countries. Its origin is Labor Day in 1882 and goes back to the eight-hour day movement, which resulted in a mass demonstration.

Since 1889, it has been celebrated in at least 400 cities across the United States. It should be noted that Labor Day was a worldwide movement that also spread to the United States. It was intended to strengthen the rights of workers and emphasize their importance for the functioning of the state. Labor Day is not necessarily a day off from work.

Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a tribute to the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492. Nevertheless, unlike other countries, the day is celebrated in the United States on the second Monday in October. The main venue is New York City, where the date is celebrated with a large parade. Otherwise, no special customs have developed around the day; rather, it is a normal work day for most employees, even though some government organizations are closed.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is intended to commemorate the armistice in World War I and is observed in the United States, United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries, France, and Belgium. Originally tied to World War I, the day has evolved into a fixed date to commemorate all American fallen in the various wars. For this reason, war veterans associations hold large parades and other celebrations.

The President himself and other government officials lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on this occasion as a mark of respect. Veterans Day is a major holiday in the United States.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in a big way in the United States, even though it has little in common with the European models of Thanksgiving, although it is a form of the same. Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, the date is marked by elements of the pioneer life of the Pilgrims.

This underscores its national character. Turkey is cooked and the table is lavishly set and decorated with figures of the Pilgrim Fathers. In addition, Thanksgiving is an important family celebration to which guests and friends are also invited.