Holiday calendar 2025: Every day off in the United States

The U.S. federal government recognizes 11 holidays. The latest to be added to the list is Juneteenth, June 19, preceded by Martin Luther King Jr. Day, two important dates for Black American communities.

On a federal holiday, most government offices and some private businesses close. Whether or not employees get the day off depends on the employer. Private companies are not required by federal law to give any of the federal holidays off, but many of them offer at least some as paid time off. Below are all the federal holidays in the United States for 2025.

New Year’s Day

Date: Wednesday, January 1

Fixed date. Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Date: Monday, January 20

Observed on the third Monday in January. The holiday was established on November 2, 1983, and commemorates the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who led nonviolent resistance to Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination, advancing the civil rights movement.

George Washington’s Birthday

Date: Monday, February 17

This holiday honors George Washington, founding father and first President of the United States. Originally, it was commemorated on February 22, Washington’s birthdate, but in 1968 it was changed to the third Monday in February, meaning the holiday never falls on his actual birthday. Some call it President’s Day, since Abraham Lincoln’s birthday falls on February 12.

Memorial Day

Date: Monday, May 26

Celebrated on the last Monday in May. This holiday — Memorial Day — is to honor and mourn U.S. servicemen and women who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Juneteenth

Date: Thursday, June 19

Fixed date. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved individuals in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas (although some places took longer to end slavery). The first celebrations date back to 1866, and it was established as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021.

Independence Day

Date: Friday, July 4

Fixed date. This holiday celebrates the adoption in 1776 of the Declaration of Independence of the American colonies from British rule, which established the United States of America.

Labor Day

Date: Monday, September 1

Celebrated on the first Monday in September, this holiday was established to honor and recognize the American labor movement.

Columbus Day

Date: Monday, October 13

Celebrated on the first Monday in October. It marks the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, which triggered a mass migration from Europe to the new continent. Some commemorate it as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, honoring the Native Americans who lived on the continent before the arrival of Europeans.

Veterans Day

Date: Tuesday, November 11

Fixed date. Established as Armistice Day in 1938 to commemorate the end of World War I. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill changing the name of the holiday to Veterans Day to honor all military veterans of U.S. forces (living or dead).

Thanksgiving Day

Date: Thursday, November 27

American Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving, celebrates the fall harvest on the fourth Thursday in November. The event commonly known as the “first Thanksgiving” is said to have been celebrated by the Pilgrims with members of the Wampanoag tribe. Some Native American groups call it National Day of Mourning, and commemorate it to raise awareness of the struggles faced by Native tribes.

Christmas Day

Date: Thursday, December 25

Fixed date. Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians with religious traditions, but also by non-Christians, who follow secular traditions.

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