With the end of the year nearly here, it’s time to start marking the date of the next federal holiday on our calendars.
On 24 November, those living in the US will observe the 10th federal holiday of the year, otherwise known Thanksgiving. The holiday, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, sees families and friends come together to enjoy a feast and express their gratitude. In addition to traditions such as the annual presidential turkey pardon, the holiday is also celebrated with football and parades, such as the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
First introduced by Congress in 1885 when it was decided that federal employees should have certain days off from work, the list of US federal holidays is made up of 11 days of significance that Americans recognise - and celebrate.
To ensure that these holidays are observed, certain guidelines have been put in place, with federal holidays that fall on a Saturday observed by federal employees on the previous Friday, while holidays that fall on Sunday are observed the following Monday.
While employees in the private sector may or may not get the day off, depending on their employer, a federal holiday means that non-essential federal government offices are closed and banks, post offices and schools may also be closed.
From Memorial Day to Thanksgiving, these are the dates of the 2022 federal holidays.
2022 federal holidays:
New Year’s Day: Saturday, January 1 (Observed Friday, December 31)
Martin Luther King Jr Day: Monday, January 17
President’s Day: Monday, February 21
Memorial Day: Monday, May 30
Juneteenth: Sunday, June 19 (Observed Monday, June 20)
Independence Day: Monday, July 4
Labor Day: Monday, September 5
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 10
Veterans’ Day: Friday, November 11
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 24
Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25 (Observed Monday, December 26)
Other important days to note:
Valentine’s Day: Monday, February 14
St Patrick’s Day: Thursday, March 17
Good Friday: Friday, April 15
Easter: Sunday, April 17
Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 8
Father’s Day: Sunday, June 19
