Americans enjoy their holidays. From celebrations of tiny green Leprechauns to honoring our armed forces, nearly every month is filled with holidays. But what constitutes a legal federal holiday, a bank holiday, or a public or patriotic observance? The answer can be confusing, so check here for a quick Holiday list for 2011.
Legal United States Federal Holidays in 2011
There are ten holidays that are recognized by the U.S. federal government as legal holidays in 2011. The federal government and the District of Columbia observe these holidays. A majority of the states observe them as well, with county and local governments following suit. When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, usually the holiday is observed the Friday before. For holidays on a Sunday, the observed date is usually the Monday after. One extra federal holiday is added every four years for the presidential inauguration. The next inauguration will be observed on Monday, January 21, 2013.
Jan. 1, 2011- New Year's Day- falls on a Saturday, observed Friday, December 31, 2010
Jan. 17, 2011- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- always the third Monday of January
Feb. 21, 2011- George Washington's Birthday- always the third Monday of February
May 30, 2011- Memorial Day- always the last Monday of May
July 4, 2011- Independence Day
Sept. 5, 2011- Labor Day- always the first Monday of September
Oct. 10, 2011- Columbus Day- always the second Monday of October
Nov. 11, 2011- Veteran's Day
Nov. 24, 2011- Thanksgiving Day- always the last Thursday of November
Dec. 25, 2011- Christmas Day
The U.S. Postal Service generally follows the federal holiday schedule. Federally observed holiday dates through the year 2020 can be found at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
NY Stock Exchange and Money Institution Holiday Closures
The NY Stock Exchange will observe eight holidays in 2011. Many banks and other financial institutions are closed on these days as well. Individual banks can choose to open or close in observance of particular holidays, so to be sure, check with your local bank.
Jan. 17, 2011- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb. 21, 2011- President's Day
April 22, 2011- Good Friday
May 30, 2011- Memorial Day- always the last Monday of May
July 4, 2011- Independence Day
Sept. 5, 2011- Labor Day- always the first Monday of September
Nov. 24, 2011- Thanksgiving Day
Dec. 25, 2011- Christmas Day
New Year's Day 2011 falls on a Saturday in 2011. Typically the holiday would be observed on the Friday before, however, if the Friday is the last day of the month or the last day of the year, it is not observed. December 31 falls in both categories and thus the NY Stock Exchange will be open on both the Friday and Monday around New Year's Day.
U.S. Public and Patriotic Observances for 2011
There are many other holidays celebrated in the U.S. in addition to the lists above. Some of these religious and secular observances may be lesser known, but each has their own customs. Many of the holidays in this list do not result in closure of public and private offices and schools.
Feb. 2- Groundhog Day
Feb. 6- Super Bowl Sunday
Feb. 12- Lincoln's Birthday
Feb. 14- Valentine's Day
Feb. 22- George Washington's Birthday
March 8- Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday- marks the day before the start of Lent
March 9- Ash Wednesday
March 13- Daylight Savings Time begins
March 17- St. Patrick Day
March 20- Vernal Equinox
April 1- April Fools' Day
April 15- Tax Day- in 2011, the last day to file will be Monday, April 18
April 17- Palm Sunday
April 18- Passover begins
April 22- Good Friday
April 22- Earth Day
April 24- Easter Sunday
April 27- Administrative Professional's Day
May 8- Mother's Day
May 21- Armed Forces Day
June 14- Flag Day
June 19- Father's Day
June 20- Summer Solstice
July 24- Parent's Day
September 11- Patriot's Day
September 11- Grandparent's Day
Sept. 17- Citizenship Day
Sept. 23- Autumnal Equinox
Sept. 28- Rosh Hashanah
Oct. 7- Yom Kippur
Oct. 12- Sukkot
Oct. 24- United Nation's Day
Oct. 31- Halloween
Nov. 6- Daylight Savings Time ends
Nov. 8- Election Day
Dec. 7- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec. 20- Hanukkah
Dec. 22- Winter Solstice
Dec. 24- Christmas Eve
Dec. 26- Kwanzaa begins
Dec. 31- New Year's Eve
While some U.S. holidays mean a day off from school or no mail service, others are fun, silly observances or traditional religious holidays. Knowing the difference between legal federal holidays, stock market holidays and public observances will help in planning for 2011.
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