It may be difficult to figure out what constitutes a legal federal holiday, a bank holiday, or a public or patriotic observance in the U.S. Learn the differences and refer to this holiday list for 2012.
Legal United States Federal Holidays in 2012
There are ten holidays that are recognized by the U.S. federal government as legal holidays in 2012. 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. 2, 2012- New Year's Day- Jan. 1 falls on a Sunday, observed the following day, Monday Jan. 2
Jan. 16, 2012- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- always the third Monday of January
Feb. 20, 2012- President's Day- always the third Monday of February
May 28, 2012- Memorial Day- always the last Monday of May
July 4, 2012- Independence Day is on a Wednesday in 2012
Sept. 3, 2012- Labor Day- always the first Monday of September
Oct. 8, 2012- Columbus Day- always the second Monday of October
Nov. 12, 2012- Veteran's Day- falls on Sunday November 11, observed on Monday November 12
Nov. 22, 2012- Thanksgiving Day- always the fourth Thursday of November
Dec. 25, 2012- Christmas Day- is on a Tuesday in 2012
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 nine holidays in 2012. Markets will close at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, Friday, November 23, 2012 (the day after Thanksgiving) and Monday, December 24, 2012.
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 check with your local bank.
Jan. 2, 2012- New Year's Day
Jan. 16, 2012- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb. 20, 2012- President's Day
April 6, 2012- Good Friday
May 28, 2012- Memorial Day- always the last Monday of May
July 4, 2012- Independence Day
Sept. 3, 2012- Labor Day- always the first Monday of September
Nov. 22, 2012- Thanksgiving Day
Dec. 25, 2012- Christmas 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, 2012- Groundhog Day
Feb. 5, 2012- Super Bowl Sunday
Feb. 14, 2012- Valentine's Day
Feb. 20, 2012- George Washington's Birthday
Feb. 21, 2012- Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday- marks the day before the start of Lent
Feb. 22, 2012- Ash Wednesday
Feb. 29, 2012- Leap Day
March 11, 2012- Daylight Savings Time begins
March 17, 2012- St. Patrick's Day
April 1, 2012- Palm Sunday
April 1, 2012- April Fools' Day
April 6, 2012- Good Friday
April 7, 2012- Passover begins
April 8, 2012- Easter Sunday
April 15, 2012- Tax Day- in 2012, the last day to file will be Tuesday, April 17
April 22, 2012- Earth Day
April 25, 2012- Administrative Professional's Day
May 13, 2012- Mother's Day
May 19, 2012- Armed Forces Day
June 14, 2012- Flag Day
June 17, 2012- Father's Day
July 22, 2012- Parent's Day
Sept. 9, 2012- Grandparent's Day
Sept. 11, 2012- Patriot's Day
Sept. 16, 2012- Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset
Sept. 25, 2012- Yom Kippur begins at sunset
Sept. 30, 2012- Sukkot begins at sunset
Oct. 24, 2012- United Nation's Day
Oct. 31, 2012- Halloween
Nov. 4, 2012- Daylight Savings Time ends
Nov. 6, 2012- Election Day
Nov. 30, 2012- Black Friday
Dec. 7, 2012- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec. 8, 2012- Hanukkah begins at sundown
Dec. 24, 2012- Christmas Eve
Dec. 26, 2012- Kwanzaa begins
Dec. 31, 2012- 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 2012.
Additional Sources:
Time and Date
Join the Conversation