United States public holidays in the Year of the Rabbit 2023

Holidays dot our calendars and help us mark the progress of time. Here is our guide to federal holidays in the United States for 2023.

New Year’s Day marks the start of a new year (January 1) according to the Gregorian calendar. The day is a Federal holiday in the United States with government offices, schools and most businesses closed. Many will reflect on their past year accomplishments and set new goals for the New Year.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated as a federal holiday in the U.S. In 2022, it fell amid a nationwide fight against restrictive voting laws in the U.S. With legislation on voting rights and election reform stalled in Congress, many activists marked the day by demanding Americans stand up to protect the right to vote.

The U.S. commemorated the birthday of Rev Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most prominent leaders of the U.S. civil rights movement throughout the 1950's and 1960's until his assassination in 1968. King was known for his activism and speeches. He campaigned and led demonstrations against racism, poverty, voting restrictions, and other injustices facing the Black community in the U.S.

Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day, is a statutory holiday in the United States to commemorate the birthday of the first President of the United States George Washington (February 22, 1732).

It falls on the third Monday in February. In 2023, Washington’s Birthday is on February 20 (Monday).

Memorial Day, also called Decoration Day, is one of eleven federal holidays recognized nationwide by the United States Government. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May each year to mourn the deaths of U.S. military officers and soldiers in various wars. The national mourning time begins at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. It’s a federal holiday in the United States to mark the date when some of the last enslaved people in the Confederacy were notified of their freedom following the Civil War.

This festival is celebrated on June 19 (the word Juneteenth is a combination of "June" and "Nineteenth").

The traditions of celebration mainly include reading the "The Emancipation Proclamation" together, singing the traditional song of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", and reading African American writers' works.

The July 4 federal holiday celebrates the U.S. founders' declaring independence from Britain in 1776.

It is a day of celebration and togetherness for people across the United States. During Independence Day, American flags are traditionally hung outside houses, and many cities hold parades complete with floats, horses, and military units.

At noon on this day, a salute of one gun for each of the fifty states is fired. This is known as a "salute to the union." When night falls, patriotic fireworks light up the sky.

Some families gather together for cookouts or barbecues (complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, and desserts in the colors of the American flag), while others might go to a baseball game with friends. On the days leading up to the holiday, the colors red, white, and blue can be found in shops and streets across the country.

The Labor Day in the United States is observed on the first Monday of September each year. The Labor Day is a federal holiday to celebrate the contribution of workers to the economy and society. For many Americans, the arrival of Labor Day also means the end of summer, and it is also a time for parties, gatherings and sports events.

Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in North America. In the United States, the holiday is celebrated annually on the second Monday in October. This historical event is also celebrated in various Latin American countries.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States, scheduled for November 11 annually. This is an important national holiday in the United States, where people pay tribute to veterans, who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving 2023 occurs on November 23. It originated from a harvest festival. The traditional dinner includes food and dishes native to the Americas, namely turkey and pumpkin pie.

Other Thanksgiving customs include charitable organizations providing Thanksgiving dinner for the poor, and watching football matches. Thanksgiving is regarded as the beginning of the autumn and winter holidays, including Christmas and New Year.

As the final important event in the annual federal holiday calendar and a major shopping and travel holiday, Christmas falls on December 25 with the traditional family gathering and exchange of gifts.

In the United States, Christmas is often celebrated with a traditional dinner; turkey and all the trimmings, and other seasonal comfort foods. Whatever's on the menu, the most important part of Christmas is family and friends, which is why gift-giving and get-togethers are the heart and soul of this festive season.

Most families decorate their homes with a Christmas tree, tinsel, and Christmas lights, and some people even decorate the outside of their homes, lighting up their neighborhoods with Christmas cheer.