How Many National Holidays Are There in the USA? A Complete Guide to Federal Holidays and More

Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend consulted me about the title of how many national holidays are there in the USA. Now I will summarize the relevant problems, hoping to help the little friends who want to know.

So, you’ve probably asked yourself: “How many national holidays does the United States actually have?” It’s a simple question, but the answer can get a little tricky because not everyone agrees on what counts as a “national holiday.” Officially, the U.S. government recognizes 11 federal holidays each year. These are days when federal offices are closed, and many private companies also give their employees the day off. But here’s the kicker: There’s no such thing as a “national holiday” in the way some other countries have them. Instead, each state decides which holidays to observe, and federal holidays apply only to federal employees and the District of Columbia. That said, the 11 federal holidays are the closest thing the whole country has to a set of national days off. Let me break it down for you.

Questions related to how many national holidays are there in the USA

Let’s start with the official 11 federal holidays. These are: New Year’s Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25). Wait, that’s only 10, right? I’m missing one. In 2021, President Biden signed a law making Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) the 11th federal holiday. So as of now, yes, there are 11 official federal holidays. States can add more, like state-specific holidays (e.g., Texas observes Texas Independence Day, but that’s not a federal holiday). So, if you’re asking about “national holidays” in the sense of days when most everything shuts down, those 11 are your answer. But if you’re counting all days that are recognized by any state, the number balloons to over 50 different observances across the country.

Now, here’s a common misconception: Many people think there are 12 or more because they hear about Presidents’ Day (which is actually Washington’s Birthday officially) and Columbus Day (which some states replace with Indigenous Peoples’ Day). But again, those are still part of the 11. Also, some holidays like Good Friday or Christmas Eve are widely observed but aren’t federal holidays. It’s all about the context. If you’re a federal worker, you get 11 paid days off. If you work in the private sector, it’s up to your employer. Many companies offer all 11, but some only give a handful. And if you’re a student, you get days off for things like spring break, but those aren’t national holidays either.

So to sum it up: The United States has 11 federal holidays that are recognized nationwide, but the term “national holiday” is a bit of a misnomer. Each state can add its own holidays, and businesses have the freedom to choose which to observe. The most accurate answer to “how many national holidays are there in the USA” is 11, but don’t be surprised if someone says 12 or 10—they might be counting differently or forgetting Juneteenth. For a full list of 2024 federal holidays, you can check the Office of Personnel Management’s website. Also, note that if a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it’s usually observed on the previous Friday, and if on a Sunday, on the following Monday.

I hope this clears things up. Remember, the next time you’re planning a trip or just wondering when you get a day off, those 11 federal holidays are your best bet for a day when the post office is closed and most banks are shut. But for state-specific holidays, you gotta check your local calendar. Let’s be real, though—everyone loves a day off, no matter how you count them.

Public Holiday Calendar.com Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you fully understand how many national holidays are there in the USA. If you have more questions, please contact us. And hey, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the next one!