U.S. Federal Holidays List for 2024

Please note that while these are the official federal holiday dates, the Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors are closed in observance of weekend dates on the following Monday or preceding Friday.

If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday before is the observed closure day. If it’s a Sunday, the observed closure day will be the following Monday.

One example would be Juneteenth National Independence Day falling on a Sunday. In this case, it would be observed on a Monday, June 20th.

New Year’s Day

New Year's Day is celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States to mark the beginning of the calendar year. The observance of New Year's Day has deep historical and cultural roots, with festivities dating back thousands of years across various civilizations.

The celebration of New Year's Day was officially established as a federal holiday through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. This legislation aimed to provide workers with more three-day weekends and moved the celebration of several holidays, including New Year's Day, to specific Mondays. 

New Year's Day has been celebrated throughout history with various traditions and customs, often involving reflection on the past year and resolutions for the year ahead. As a federal holiday, New Year's Day allows people across the nation to come together, celebrate the arrival of the new year, and engage in cultural and personal traditions that mark the occasion. 

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday in January, is a federal holiday in the United States that honors the life and achievements of the civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement.

The push for a federal holiday to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. began shortly after his assassination in 1968. The efforts were fueled by a nationwide movement recognizing the importance of honoring Dr. King's contributions to advancing civil rights and equality.

After years of advocacy and public support, President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a federal holiday. The first official observance took place on January 20, 1986. Since then, it has become a day of reflection, service, and community engagement, encouraging Americans to remember and contribute to the ongoing pursuit of Dr. King's dream of a just and equitable society. 

Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day)

Washington's Birthday, commonly known as Presidents' Day, is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the birthday of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Washington was born on February 22, 1732, and the federal holiday falls on the third Monday in February.

The celebration of Washington's Birthday dates back to the 19th century, with various states and organizations honoring the founding father on or around his birthday. The day became a federal holiday in 1885 when it was established to honor George Washington's significant contributions to the nation.

Over time, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents' Day. While it still primarily honors Washington, it also recognizes the birthdays of other U.S. presidents, notably Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12. 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and remembering the nation's men and women who died in military service. The origins of Memorial Day can be traced back to the aftermath of the American Civil War when various communities began organizing ceremonies to honor and decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.

Over time, these observances expanded, and in 1868, General John A. Logan designated May 30 as Decoration Day, a day to decorate the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers. After World War I, the day evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.

In 1971, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday, shifting to the last Monday in May as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Memorial Day is marked by various ceremonies, parades, and the decoration of graves with flags and flowers. 

Juneteenth National Independence Day

Juneteenth National Independence Day, observed on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The day marks the moment in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people in Texas were free. 

In 2021, Juneteenth National Independence Day was established as a federal holiday by signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. 

Juneteenth holds profound historical and cultural significance as a celebration of freedom and the end of slavery. Over the years, it has symbolized African-American resilience, achievement, and contributions to the nation. 

Independence Day

Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The day holds historical significance as it marks the country's formal separation from British rule, establishing the United States as a sovereign and independent nation.

The Continental Congress declared independence on July 2, 1776, but the adoption of the Declaration, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, occurred on July 4th. The document eloquently outlined the colonies' grievances and asserted their right to self-governance.

The day is marked by patriotic displays, fireworks, parades, barbecues, and various festivities that unite communities. 

Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day

The second Monday of October is traditionally celebrated in the United States as Columbus Day, but in recent years, the holiday has been renamed Indigenous Peoples' Day in some regions. 

Columbus Day was established as a federal holiday to commemorate Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Over time, however, the holiday has become controversial due to the negative impact of European colonization on indigenous populations. 

Since the 1990s, many states have begun replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. However, this has yet to be broadly accepted. Currently, some communities celebrate the second Monday of October as Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day, while others celebrate only one. 

Labor Day

Celebrated on the first Monday of September, Labor Day symbolically marks the end of summer and honors American workers' social and economic achievements. 

The origins of Labor Day can be traced back to the labor movement of the late 19th century when workers advocated for better working conditions, reasonable hours, and fair wages.

The idea for a day dedicated to workers gained momentum after the Pullman Strike of 1894. In response to the strike and to acknowledge the labor movement's role in shaping the country, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed it into law on June 28, 1894.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th every year to honor and express gratitude to military veterans for their service. Originally known as Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of World War I, officially ceasing on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. military veterans, reflecting the broader scope of the day to include veterans from subsequent conflicts. 

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. The origins of Thanksgiving trace back to a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Native Americans.

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. Today, Thanksgiving is a day for family gatherings, feasting, and expressing gratitude. Most federal employees will also get off the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday. 

Christmas Day

Christmas Day falls on December 25th every year. In the 4th century, Pope Julius I officially declared December 25 as the date to celebrate Christ's birth, likely chosen to coincide with existing pagan winter solstice festivals. It is traditionally a Christian holiday but is celebrated in over 150 countries, including the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Christmas has evolved over the years, intertwining religious and cultural traditions. While its religious significance remains for Christians, it has become a cultural ph