Every calendar year, businesses typically have the same questions that begin to circle around holidays. “Are we off for the next holiday?”
In the US, Americans celebrate various holidays. From New Year’s Eve to Christmas, there are at least 18 national holidays.
That’s not counting the off-the-wall obscure holidays. If one can think of it, there is probably a holiday for it. There are actual holidays that celebrate hairball awareness (April 30) and Bathtub Party Day (December 5). To list all the holidays would take up a good portion of this week’s issue.
Even though there are multiple holidays to give individuals the opportunity to celebrate things they enjoy, only certain holidays are observed by the federal government. When the federal government observes a holiday, they typically shut down all available services – government offices and banks close and the mail does not run. State and local governments also shut down for these specific holidays.
It starts out with the first day of the year, New Year’s Day. Then, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is observed the third Monday in January.
The month of February may have Valentine’s Day, but Washington’s birthday is the one the government recognizes.
Other government holidays are Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November, and Christmas (December 25).
Not all businesses observe these holidays. Some businesses stay open even in Christmas Day. However, they might shorten their business hours for the day.
Many of these holidays were created to allow Americans to pay respect and tribute to individuals connected to the holiday, or simply to observe a day with family.
Take Christmas for example, that is a day set aside to celebrate Christ. It is also a day to be with family.
The days to celebrate the military are equally important. It shows respect to the ones who have served and ones who have died for America’s freedom.
Many individuals believe that some of the holidays are not important enough to be observed by closing government offices. For example, Columbus Day is slowly being recognized less and less.
Although some of the holidays may be losing traction for a day off, Government entities should be closed for at least New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. These holidays are important because they show respect to the many people who deserve it, and helps constitute family time.