American Holidays
Every country has special holidays that are celebrated by their citizens throughout the year. Many Americans do not work on significant holidays, but it’s important to remember that hospitals never close. Always ask your supervisor or manger whether you must work on a particular holiday. If one of the holidays recognized by Partners occurs during the weekend, it is usually observed on the following Monday.
Partners Holidays
- New Year's Day is on January 1. This celebration begins on December 31st (“New Years Eve”) when friends and family gather to wish each other happiness and prosperity for the next year. Boston celebrates with an annual fireworks show. Many Americans make New Year's resolutions: goals to accomplish during the New Year.
- Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African-American clergyman who advocated for civil rights for all people through nonviolent means. He is most well-known for his work in ending racial segregation in the United States.
- President's Day is observed on the third Monday in February. President's Day honors George Washington, the first President of the United States, and many groups also honor the legacy of all past presidents on this day.
- Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May. This holiday originally honored those who died in the American Civil War, but it has become a day on which Americans who died in all wars are remembered.
- Independence Day (also "4th of July") is always celebrated on July 4. This day honors the Declaration of Independence, a statement announcing that the nation would become independent of the British Empire on July 4, 1776. Independence Day is celebrated with picnics, patriotic parades, and evening fireworks.
- Labor Day, a federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September., honors the nation's working people. For most Americans it marks the end of the summer vacation season and the start of the school year. Common ways to celebrate are picnics, outdoor barbecues, camping, or simply spending the day outside.
- Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday in October. Columbus Day honors October 12, 1492, when the famous Italian explorer Christopher Columbus landed in the "New World." Most people celebrate by attending parades and enjoy the day off from work.
- Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. This day marks what many consider the nation’s first Thanksgiving, when settlers in the "New World" held a feast to celebrate an abundant harvest. Annual Thanksgiving feasts almost always include foods such as turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is viewed as a day to give "thanks" and express appreciation for many different things including family, friends, and food on this special day.
- Christmas Day is always celebrated on December 25. Christmas is a Christian holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Many Americans, including many non-Christians, decorate their homes and yards with lights, give gifts, and send greeting cards. Schools cancel classes for approximately one week at this time.
Other Celebrations and Observances
There are many commonly observed celebrations in the United States that are not celebrated by Partners affiliates and are not federal holidays. These are some of the most popular:
- Groundhog Day is on February 2. This fun tradition marks whether groundhogs across the country will see their shadow after emerging from their burrows. If a shadow is seen, six more weeks of winter weather is predicted.
- Valentine's Day is always celebrated on February 14. On this day, Americans give cards and gifts such as candy or flowers to celebrate people’s love and affection for one another—especially romantic love. Children celebrate by giving cards to classmates and friends.
- Patriot's Day occurs on the third Monday in April. Patriot's Day commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, which were the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. The Boston Marathon is occurs on Patriots' Day every year, so many Bostonians refer to the holiday is referred to as "Marathon Monday.
- Earth Day is observed on April 22. This holiday promotes ecology, encourages respect for life on earth, and highlights pollution concerns.
- Easter occurs on a spring Sunday that varies from year to year. Traditionally, Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since Easter Sunday usually occurs at the beginning of the spring season, many non-religious (secular) Americans also celebrate by decorating hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy. Children often take pictures with a character called the “Easter Bunny.” Similar to “Santa Claus” during Christmas, the “Easter Bunny” is a person dressed up like a rabbit that sits in a decorated chair and takes pictures with children of all ages. They are usually found in large shopping malls and charge a fee to pose in a photo with children.
- Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Most people show appreciation toward their mothers by spending time with them, giving flowers, cards, and other gifts. Wishing other family members (such as aunts, grandmothers, and mothers-in-law) a “Happy Mother’s Day” is also common.
- Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Similar to Mother’s Day, cards and gifts are given to show fathers appreciation. Wishing family members (such as grandfathers, uncles, and fathers-in-law) a “Happy Father’s Day” is a custom of this holiday.
- Halloween is always celebrated on October 31. American children dress up in costumes and go "trick or treating" by knocking on doors in their neighborhood. Neighbors respond by giving them small gifts of candy or other treats. It is also very common for adults to wear costumes and celebrate with family or friends. Many Americans also carve faces and decorations on pumpkins for Halloween, attend costume parties, go to pubs/bars or clubs, visit haunted attractions, play pranks, tell scary stories, and watch horror movies.
- Veterans Day is on November 11. This holiday honors Americans who have defended the country in all wars in which the U.S. has fought. The day is often recognized with events honoring veterans.
- Pearl Harbor Day is observed on December 7. This holiday is in memory of the more than 2,400 American military members who died on this date in 1941 during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and resulted in the U.S. entering World War II. Veterans are often honored on this day.