The United States of America consists of fifty states plus Washington D.C.
in North America.
Forefathers' Day, December 21. Commemorates the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620 on Plymouth Rock.
Observed in New England.
This day was first observed in 1769.
Washington's Birthday, third Monday of February (Feb 16, 2004). Celebrates the birthday of George Washington, who was born on February 22, 1732.
It was first officially celebrated in 1782, when its observance took the place of the
birthday celebrations of the various sovereigns of Great Britain, which had been
customary during colonial times.
Services are held at Washington's home at Mount Vernon, and at the Washington Monument
in Washington D.C.
George Washington's birthday is a legal holiday in all states, Washington D.C., and
Puerto Rico.
In Arizona it is called
Washington Day.
It may also be celebrated as
President's Day or
Washington-Lincoln Day in conjunction with Abraham Lincoln's birthday.
Patriot's Day, third Monday of April (Apr 19, 2004). Commemorates the first battle of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775.
Also known as
Battles of Lexington and Concord Day. Independence Day, July 4. On this day in 1776, patriots in the original thirteen colonies
signed the Declaration of Independence from England.
Bill of Rights Day, December 15. The Bill of Rights was adopted on this day.
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
Flag Day, June 14. Anniversary of adopting the flag in 1777.
Flag is called the Stars and Stripes.
A legal holiday in Pennsylvania since 1937.
Observed by displaying the flag.
Some states observe additional flag days.
Thomas Jefferson's Birthday, April 13. Celebrates the birthday of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the third president of the
United States, and an important figure in American history.
Kosciuszko Day, February 4. Celebrated in the United States by Polish-Americans on the birthday of
Tadeusz Kosciuszko (1746), who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Carnation Day, January 29. Celebrates William McKinley's birthday.
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday of November (Nov 25, 2004). Thanksgiving was designated to occur on this date by President Lincoln in
October of 1863.
Christmas, December 25. See Christmas.
In the United States, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus are considered one and the same unlike
in some other countries. Another nickname for Santa Claus is Kris Kringle
which probably derives from "Christkindle" (Christ child), a term that may have been
brought here by immigrants from southern Germany.
The Civil War
The division between North and South last today, as illustrated in the different
legal holidays, such as Confederate Memorial Day in the South.
Robert E. Lee Day
Honors Robert E. Lee (Jan 19, 1807-Oct 12, 1870).
In Texas it is celebrated as
Confederate Heroes Day.
In Virginia,
Lee-Jackson Day celebrates the birthdays of Robert E. Lee and
Stonewall Jackson (b. Jan 21, 1824).
Jefferson Davis Day, June 3. Celebrates the birthday of Jefferson Davis (1808-1889).
Confederate Memorial Day. Dedicated to the memory of Confederate soldiers who were killed in the civil war.
Lincoln's Birthday, February 12. Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809.
It was first publicly observed in 1887 by the Republican Club of New York City, and
designated as a legal holiday in Illinois in 1892.
It may also be celebrated as
President's Day or
Washington-Lincoln Day in conjunction with George Washington's birthday.
National Freedom Day, February 1. Commemorates the abolition of slavery, which was achieved on this date in 1865 when
President Lincoln signed the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution.
This day was declared National Freedom Day by presidential proclamation in 1949.
Appomattox Day, April 9. Celebrates the ending of the Civil War in 1865, when Lee surrendered to Grant at fort
Appomattox.
Twentieth Century
Veteran's Day, November 11. Also called
Armistice Day, and in Canada it is called
Remembrance Day.
It honors all who served in wars and is observed on the ending of World War I A legal
holiday throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Women's Equality Day, August 26. Commemorates the anniversary of the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which
gave women the right to vote.
This day was proclaimed by President Ford in 1974.
Also known as
Susan B. Anthony Day. Inauguration Day, January 20. Every four years a newly elected president of the United States is sworn into office on
this date.
Prior to 1933, presidents were inaugurated on March 4, but when the Twentieth Amendment
was passed, January 20 became the official date for inauguration.
A legal holiday in Washington D.C.
Iwo Jima Day, February 23. Commemorates the raising of the United States flag on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima by the
Marines in 1945.
Vietnam Day, January 27. Marks the anniversary of the signing of a peace agreement in 1973 to end the Vietnam War.
Election Day, first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (Nov 2, 2004). A legal holiday in twenty-seven of the states, plus Washington D.C.
and Puerto Rico.
Armed Forces Day, third Saturday of May (May 15, 2004). Consolodates Army Day (April 6), Air Forces Day, and Navy Day.
Navy Day, October 27.
Labor Day, first Monday in September (Sep 6, 2004).
Citizenship Day, September 17. Formerly called
Constitution Day. Martin Luther King Day, January 15. Observed on nearest Monday.
Legal holidays are declared only on a state basis.
The following holidays are legal holidays in all fifty states: New Year's Day,
Washington's Birthday (name varies), Memorial Day (most states), Independence Day,
Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas.
Memorial Day is observed in most states on the last Monday in May.
Except as noted, Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday of October,
Martin Luther King Day is on January 15, Robert E.
Lee Day is on January 19.
In addition, some states observe their own holidays.
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Alabama Admission Day, December 14. Alabama became the twenty-second state of the Union on December 14, 1819.
Confederate Memorial Day, last Monday in April (Apr 26, 2004).
Public holidays
Robert E. Lee Day (3rd Mon
in Jan), Washington's Birthday, Mardi Gras, Thomas Jefferson's Birthday,
Confederate Memorial Day, Jefferson Davis Day (first Mon in June), Columbus Day,
and Christmas.
Alaska
Alaska is by far the largest state in the nation.
Alaska Day, third Monday of October (Oct 18, 2004). The Alaska territory was transferred to the United States on October 18, 1867.
Alaska Admission Day, January 3. The territory became the forty-ninth state on January 3, 1959.
Seward's Day, March 30. On this day in 1867, Secretary Seward signed the treaty with Russia which gave the
territory to the United States for two cents an acre.
Observed on the last Monday of March.
Flag Day, July 4. Anniversary of the addition of the forty-ninth star was added to the Stars and Stripes
for the forty-ninth state of the Union.
Also known as
F-Day.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Seward's Day, Alaska Day, and Christmas.
Arizona
Arizona Admission Day, February 14. Arizona became the forty-eighth state on this day.
Arbor Day, Friday after February 1 (Feb 6, 2004). Day for planting trees in southern Arizona.
Arbor Day, Friday after April 1 (Apr 2, 2004). Day for planting trees in northern Arizona.
American Family Day, first Sunday in August (Aug 1, 2004).
Public holidays
Washington Day, Lincoln Day (2nd Mon.
in Feb.), Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, American Family Day, Columbus Day,
and Christmas.
Arkansas
Arkansas Admission Day, June 15. Arkansas became the twenty-fifth state on June 15, 1836.
General Douglas MacArthur Day, January 26. Birthday celebration of the World War II general and native of Arkansas.
World War II Memorial Day, August 14.
Jefferson Davis Day.
Public holidays
Robert E. Lee Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Election Day,
and Christmas.
California
California Admission Day, September 9. California entered the union on September 9, 1850, as the thirty-first state.
Cesar Chavez Day, March 31. The birthday of labor leader Cesar Chavez (1927-1993).
He formed the National Farm Workers Association in 1962.
Arbor Day, near March 7.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Columbus Day, California Admission Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Colorado
Colorado Day, first Monday in August (Aug 2, 2004). Colorado's entry into the Union was on August 1, 1876.
Arbor Day, April 15.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Colorado Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Connecticut
Connecticut Ratification Day, January 9. Anniversary of Connecticut becoming the fifth state in 1788.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday,
Memorial Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Delaware
Delaware Day, December 7. Delaware became the first state to adopt the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
Separation Day, June 15.
Swedish Colonial Day, March 29.
Arbor Day, April 22.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday (1st Mon.
in Feb.), Memorial Day (May 30), Good Friday, Arbor Day, Separation Day, Columbus Day,
Election Day, Delaware Day, Christmas.
Florida
Pascua Florida Day, April 2. Anniversary of the discovery of Florida in 1513 by Juan Ponce de León, who was looking
for gold and the Fountain of Youth.
He named the land "Pascua Florida" probably because the date was near Easter.
Farmer's Day, second Monday of October (Oct 11, 2004). A legal holiday in place of Columbus Day.
Florida Admission Day, March 3. Florida became the twenty-seventh state on March 3, 1845.
Susan B. Anthony Day, February 15. A holiday celebrating Susan B.
Anthony's birthday on February 15.
Arbor Day, January 15.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Robert E.
Lee Day, Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Susan B.
Anthony Day, Memorial Day, Good Friday, Pascua Florida Day, Confederate Memorial Day (Apr.
26), Jefferson Davis Day, Farmers' Day/Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Georgia
Georgia Day, February 12. Anniversary of the landing of James Edward Oglethorpe and coloninsts at Savannah in 1733.
Also known as
Oglethorpe Day. Georgia Ratification Day, January 2. Georgia became the fourth state on January 2, 1788.
Public holidays
Robert E. Lee Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Confederate Memorial Day (Apr.
26), Jefferson Davis Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Hawaii
Hawaii Statehood Day, third Friday in August (Aug 20, 2004). Celebrates getting statehood on August 21, 1959.
Flag Day, July 4. Anniversary of the addition of the fiftieth star to the flag in 1960.
Kamehameha Day, June 11. Honors King Kamehameha I, who became sole king of the islands when he defeated the other
rulers in 1810.
Kuhio Day, March 26. Celebrates the birthday of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianole.
Also known as
Regatta Day.
Lei Day, May 1. A flower festival celebrating the lei.
Wesak Flower Festival, fist Sunday in April (Apr 4, 2004). Celebrates Buddha's birthday.
See Buddhism.
Public holidays
Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Good Friday, Kuhio Day,
Kamehameha Day, Hawaii Statehood Day, Discoverers' Day (Columbus Day), Election Day,
and Christmas.
Idaho
Idaho Admission Day, July 3. Idaho became the forty-third state on this day in 1890.
Idaho Pioneer Day, June 15. Commemorates the anniversary of the settlement at Franklin in 1860.
Celebrated with picnics and festivities.
Observed since 1910.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Election Day,
and Christmas.
Illinois
Illinois Admission Day, December 3. Illinois became the twenty-first state on December 3, 1818.
Casimir Pulaski Day, first Monday in March (Mar 1, 2004).
Honors Casimir Pulaski who fought to protect his native Poland,
then later led forces in the American Revolutionary War.
He died in 1779 from wounds received in battle.
This is a school holiday.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday,
Memorial Day (May 30), Columbus Day, day after Thanksgiving, Election Day, and Christmas.
Indiana
Indiana Admission Day, December 11. Indiana became the nineteenth state December 11, 1816.
Vincennes Day, February 24. Commemorates the defeat of the British by George Rogers Clark at Vincennes during the
American Revolution.
Primary Election Day, May 1.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Good Friday, Primary Election Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Iowa
Independence Sunday, Sunday before July 4 (Jul 4, 2004). Commemorates the declaration of independence.
Iowa Admission Day, December 28. Iowa became the twenty-ninth state on December 28, 1846.
Bird Day, March 21.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day, and
Christmas.
Kansas
Kansas Day, January 29. Anniversary of becoming the thirty-fourth state.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Kentucky
Kentucky Statehood Day, June 1. Kentucky became the fifteenth state on June 1, 1792.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Day, January 30. Celebrates F.D.R's birthday.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Robert E.
Lee Day, Washington's Birthday, Franklin D.
Roosevelt Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day, Jefferson Davis Day, Columbus Day,
Election Day, and Christmas.
Louisiana
New Orleans is famous for its wild celebration of Mardi Gras every year on
Shrove Tuesday.
Louisiana Admission Day, April 30. On April 30, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France,
then ruled by Napoleon, thus concluding the largest real estate transaction in history:
the Louisiana Purchase.
Louisiana became the eighteenth state on this day in 1812.
Huey P. Long Day, August 30. A holiday celebrating the birthday of Huey P.
Long (b.1893), one-time state senator, who was nicknamed "the Kingfish".
Jackson Day, January 8. Celebrates the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 when the United States forces commanded by
Andrew Jackson defeated the British.
This was the last battle of the War of 1812, and was actually fought two weeks after the
peace treaty was signed.
Also known as
Old Hickory's Day and
Battle of New Orleans Day. Mardi Gras. The last day of Shrovetide.
Is French for "fat Tuesday".
Public holidays
Public holidays are proclaimed annually by the governor.
These typically are New Year's Day, Jackson Day, Martin Luther King Day, Robert E.
Lee Day, Washington's Birthday, Mardi Gras (in some areas), Memorial Day, Good Friday,
Jefferson Davis Day, Huey P.
Long Day, Columbus Day, All Saints' Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Maine
Maine Admission Day, March 3. Maine became a state on March 3, 1820.
Battleship Day, February 15. Marks the anniversary of the day in 1898 when the United States battleship, the
Maine, was blown up in the Havana harbor.
Observed in Massachusetts as
Maine Memorial Day on the same day as Spanish-American War Memorial Day.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Patriot's Day, Columbus Day,
and Christmas.
Maryland
Maryland Day, March 25. Commemorates the landing of colonists in 1634.
Repudiation Day, November 23. In 1765 Frederick County refused to observe the Stamp Act.
Maryland Ratification Day, January 14. Commemorates the ratification of the Treaty of Paris by the Continental Congress in 1784,
thereby ending the Revolutionary War and establishing the United States as a
self-governing nation.
Maryland Admission Day, April 28. Maryland became the seventh state on April 28, 1788.
Defenders' Day, September 12. Commemorates the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
John Hanson Day, April 14. Honors the birthday of John Hanson (b.1721).
He is considered by some to be the real first US President.
National Anthem Day, September 14.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday,
Defenders' Day, Memorial Day (May 30), Good Friday, Maryland Day, Columbus Day,
Election Day, and Christmas.
Massachusetts
Liberty Tree Day, August 14. Commemorates the anniversary of the placing of two effigies in an elm tree, later
the "Liberty Tree", in Boston in 1765.
Bunker Hill Day, June 17. Celebrated in Boston and Suffolk County.
Commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill on its anniversary.
Actually, the 1775 battle took place on a nearby hill.
Evacuation Day, March 17. Celebrated in Boston and Suffolk County.
Anniversary of the withdrawal of British troops from Boston in 1776.
A legal holiday in Suffolk County since 1941.
Massachusetts Ratification Day, February 6. The anniversary of becomming the sixth state
on February 6, 1788.
Lafayette Day, May 20. Memorializes the anniversary of the death of the Marquis de Lafayette (d.1834),
a French general who aided the colonists in the American Revolution.
Spanish-American War Memorial Day, February 15. Commemorates the Spanish-American War, and observed with Maine Memorial Day.
See Battleship Day.
Susan B. Anthony Day, August 26. This is on the anniversary in 1920 of the certification of the 19th Amendment to the
US Constitution giving women the right to vote.
John F. Kennedy Day, last Sunday in November (Nov 28, 2004). A memorial to John F.
Kennedy, thirty-fifth president of the United States, and Massachusetts native.
Student Government Day, fist Friday of April (Apr 2, 2004).
Teacher's Day, fist Sunday of June (Jun 6, 2004).
Children's Day, second Sunday of June (Jun 13, 2004).
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Evacuation Day (Suffolk County only), Patriot's Day, Bunker Hill Day
(Suffolk County only), Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Michigan
Michigan Day, January 26.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day [third mon?], Washington's Birthday,
Memorial Day (3rd Mon in May), and Christmas.
Minnesota
Minnnesota Day, May 11. Anniversary of becomming the thirty-second state in 1858.
American Family Day, first Sunday in August (Aug 1, 2004).
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Minnesota Day,
American Family Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Mississippi
Confederate Memorial Day, last Monday in April (Apr 26, 2004).
Public holidays
Robert E. Lee Day (3rd Mon
in Jan), Washington's Birthday, Confederate Memorial Day, Jefferson Davis Day
(first Mon
in June), and Christmas.
Missouri
Missouri Admission Day, August 10. Missouri became the twenty-fourth state on August 10, 1821.
Truman Day, May 8.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Truman Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Montana
Montana Admission Day, November 8. Montana became the forty-first state on November 8, 1889.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Columbus Day, Election Day (first Tue.
in Nov.), and Christmas.
Nebraska
Nebraska State Day, March 1. Anniversary of becomming the thirty-seventh state in 1867.
Arbor Day, April 22. The birthday of J.
Sterling Morton.
Originally celebrated on April 10.
Public holidays
Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Arbor Day, Columbus Day,
day after Thanksgiving
Nevada
Nevada Day, October 31. Anniversary of becomming the thirty-sixth state in 1864.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Nevada Day, and Christmas.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Admission Day, June 21. New Hampshire became the ninth state on June 21, 1788.
Fast Day, fourth Monday in April (Apr 26, 2004). Originated in 17th century New England.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day (May 30), Fast Day,
Columbus Day, day after Thanksgiving, Election Day, and Christmas.
New Jersey
New Jersey Admission Day, December 18. Became the third state on December 18, 1787.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday,
Memorial Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
New Mexico
New Mexico became the forty-seventh state on January 6, 1912.
Arbor Day, second Friday of March (Mar 19, 2004).
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day (May 25),
Columbus Day, and Christmas.
New York
Governor Peter Minuit arrived at the future site of New York on May 4, 1626, with
four shiploads of colonists and cattle.
He bought the entire island of Manhattan from the natives for $24 worth of cloth and
brass buttons.
Verrazano Day, April 17. Anniversary of the discovery of New York harbor by Giovanni da Verrazano in 1524.
New York Ratification Day, July 26. New York became the eleventh state on July 26, 1788.
Audubon Day, second Friday of April (Apr 9, 2004). Also known as
Bird Day.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day (3rd Sun.
in Jan.), Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day, Flag Day (2nd Sun.
in June), Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
North Carolina
Mecklenburg Day, May 20. Anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, signed in 1775 by citizens
of Mecklenburg County in North Carolina.
Halifax Resolutions Day, April 12. Commemorates the Halifax Resolutions of Independence, which in part led to the
Declaration of Independence being adopted.
Observed as a legal holiday on the anniversary of the day they were adopted in 1776.
Confederate Memorial Day, May 10.
Public holidays
Robert E. Lee Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Easter Monday, Mecklenburg Day,
and Christmas.
North Dakota
North Dakota Admission Day, November 2. Anniversary of becoming a state in 1889.
North Dakota is generally considered the thirty-ninth state, but actually no on knows
for sure which of the Dakotas was signed first.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Good Friday, and Christmas.
Ohio
Ohio Admission Day, March 1. Ohio became the seventeenth state on March 1, 1803.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day (3rd Mon.
in Jan.), Washington-Lincoln Day, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Historical Day, October 10. Celebrates the birthday of the father of Oklahoma, Pierre Chouteau (b.1758).
Oklahoma Day, April 22. Anniversary of making the Oklahoma Territory open for settlement in 1889.
Also known as
89'ers Day.
Cherokee Strip Day, September 16. Commemerates the opening up in 1893 of the previously protected Cherokee Strip to
homesteaders as free land.
This resulted in the death of many of the Cherokees, and the celebration of this
holiday has become a topic of contoversy.
Indian Day, August 12. Observed in Massachusetts, and Oklahoma, where it begins
American Indian Exposition Week.
Oklahoma Heritage Week, week of November 16.
Will Rogers Day, November 4. The birthday of Will Rogers (b.1879).
Oklahoma Statehood Day, November 16. Oklahoma became the forty-sixth state on November 16, 1907.
Senior Citizens Day, June 9. Recognizes the contributions made by Americans in their golden years.
Bird Day, May 1.
Youth Day, first day of Spring.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Youth Day,
Thomas Jefferson's Birthday, Oklahoma Day, Mother's Day, Bird Day,
Senior Citizens Day, Cherokee Strip Day, Indian Day, Oklahoma Historical Day,
Columbus Day, Election Day, Will Rogers Day, Oklahoma Heritage Week, and Christmas.
Oregon
Oregon Statehood Day, February 14. This is the anniversary of becoming the thirty-third state in 1859.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday (1st Mon.
in Feb.), Memorial Day, and Christmas.
Pennsylvania
Charter Day, March 4. Anniversary of the granting of the charter by Charles II to William Penn in 1681.
Pennsylvania Admission Day, December 12. Pennsylvania became the second state on December 12, 1787.
Barry Day, September 13.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day,
Good Friday, Flag Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Independence Day, May 4. Anniversary of the day in 1776 when Rhode Island declared independence, two months
before the Continental Congress did for the rest of the nation.
Rhode Island Admission Day, May 29. On this day in 1790 Rhode Island became the thirteenth state.
Victory Day, second Monday in August (Aug 9, 2004). V-J Day.
See World War II.
Arbor Day, second Friday of May (May 14, 2004).
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Rhode Island Independence Day,
Victory Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
South Carolina
South Carolina Admission Day, May 23. On this day in 1788 it became the eigth state.
Confederate Memorial Day, May 10.
Public holidays
Martin Luther King Day, Robert E.
Lee Day, Washington's Birthday, Confederate Memorial Day, Jefferson Davis Day,
Election Day, and Christmas.
South Dakota
South Dakota Admission Day, November 2. On this day in 1889, both Dakotas entered the Union.
South Dakota is considered the fortieth state.
See also North Dakota above.
Native Americans' Day, second Monday in October (Oct 11, 2004). A legal holiday in place of Columbus Day.
Public holidays
Presidents' Day, Memorial Day (May 30), Native Americans' Day, and
Christmas.
Tennessee
Tennesse Statehood Day, June 1. Tennessee became the sixteenth state on this day in 1796.
Confederate Memorial Day, June 3.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day,
Election Day, and Christmas.
Texas
Texas, once a territory of Mexico, enjoyed independence for a short time before
becoming a state.
Austin Day, November 3. Stephen Austin, the "Father of Texas", was born on November 3, 1793.
He moved to Texas after Mexico granted a large area of land to his father, who died
shortly thereafter.
Similar land grants caused a flood of settlers from the US, who had no loyalty to Mexico.
This led to strained relations.
In 1833, Austin was sent to Mexico to plead for reform, and he was imprisoned for
nearly two years, during which time Antonio López de Santa Anna became dictator of Mexico.
After being released, Austin became active in the Texas Revolution.
Texas Independence Day, March 2. Anniversary the declaration of independence from Mexico, made in 1836.
Begins Texas Week.
On this date Stephen Austin was one of 58 delegates from all over Texas who met and
unanimously adopted a declaration of indpendence.
Alamo Day, March 6. Anniversary of the slaughter of Texans at the Alamo fort in 1836.
The Alamo was held by about 150 volunteers including Davy Crockett and James Bowie.
For almost two weeks they were besieged by thousands of Mexicans who eventually
overwhelmed the fort, sparing only 15 women, children, and servants.
San Jacinto Day, April 21. Celebrates the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, which won for Texas
the independence they declared in the previous month.
Sam Houston, commander in chief of the Texian Army, had camped out by the
San Jacinto River, waiting for his chance to attack General Santa Anna and his army.
Seizing his chance, his 900 men called "remember the Alamo" as they attacked, and in
eighteen minutes they killed 630 Mexicans and took 730 prisoner.
Only nine Texans were killed.
The next day Santa Anna was taken prisoner and forced to sign a treaty.
Texas Admission Day, December 29. Texas became the twenty-eighth state on this day in 1845.
Confederate Heroes Day, January 19. Honors Robert E.
Lee's birthday, and also honors Jefferson Davis and the Confederate forces of the
Civil War.
May be observed on third Monday of January.
Juneteenth, June 19. Commemorates the anniversary of emancipation for slaves in Texas (1865).
Not observed in all parts of Texas.
Also known as
Emancipation Day. Lyndon B. Johnson's Birthday, August 27. A legal holiday in Texas celebrating the birthday of Lyndon B.
Johnson, president of the United States, and Texas native.
Texas Pioneers' Day, August 12. Honors the first pioneers.
Public holidays
Confederate Heroes Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day, Juneteenth, Lyndon B.
Johnson's Birthday, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Utah
Utah's name is derived from the Ute Indians of the area.
Utah Admission Day, January 4. Utah became the forty-fifth state on this day in 1896.
They had been petitioning for statehood since 1849, which had been continually denied
largely due to opposition to the polygamy practiced by Mormons.
The first antipolygamy law was passed in 1862, followed by a period of persecution in
which property of the Mormon church was confiscated temporarily and "cohabiters"
were heavily fined or imprisoned.
Although the Constitution says nothing of how many wives one husband can have, the
Supreme Court declared these laws to be constitutional in 1890.
After this, the Mormon Church banned polygamy under threat of excommunication, which
cleared the way for the statehood of Utah.
Pioneer Day, on or near July 24. Commemorates the first settlement in the Salt Lake area by Brigham Young and the
Mormons (1847).
This is a legal holiday in Utah which has been observed since 1849.
Arbor Day, last Friday in April (Apr 30, 2004).
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Arbor Day, Pioneer Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Vermont
Bennington Battle Day, August 16. A legal holiday commemorating the defeat of the British by the Green Mountain Boys
on this day in 1777.
Vermont Day, March 4. Vermont became the 14th state on this day in 1791.
Town Meeting Day, first Tuesday in March (Mar 2, 2004).
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day (May 30),
Town Meeting Day, Bennington Battle Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Virginia
Jamestown Day, May 13. Anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown in 1607.
Cape Henry Day, April 26. Commemorates the founding of Jamestown.
Virginia Ratification Day, June 25. Virginia became the tenth state on this day in 1788.
Crater Day, July 30. Commemorates the anniversary of the unseccessful attempt in 1864 by the Union forces to
take Petersburg by blowing up the forts.
Named for the craters that were left by the explosions.
Observed by veterans and civic organizations.
Jack Jouett Day, occurs in June. Celebrates the event on June 3, 1781, when Jack Jouett rode from Cuckoo Tavern to
Charlottesvill to warn Thomas Jefferson the British were coming, so that he could escape.
Royalist Fast Day, January 30. Celebrates the beheading of Charles I.
Lee-Jackson Day, third Monday in January (Jan 19, 2004). Celebration of the birthdays of Robert E.
Lee and Stonewall Jackson (Jan 21).
Confederate Memorial Day, May 30.
Public holidays
Lee-Jackson Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day,
Election Day, and Christmas.
Washington
Washington Admission Day, November 11. Washington became the forty-second state of the Union on November 11, 1889.
This holiday is celebrated jointly with Veteran's Day.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day,
Veteran's Day/Washington Admission Day, and Christmas.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
was established as the capital of the United States on December 12, 1800.
Arbor Day, third Friday in April (Apr 16, 2004).
Public holidays
Inauguration Day [every 4th year only?].
Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Election Day,
and Christmas.
West Virginia
West Virginia Day, June 20. West Virginia became the thirty-fifth state on this day in 1863.
Public holidays
Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Election Day,
Memorial Day, West Virginia Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Day, May 29. Wisconsin became the thirtieth state on this day in 1848.
Primary Election Day, September 1.
Public holidays
Washington-Lincoln Day, Memorial Day, Good Friday (11am to 3pm),
Primary Election Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Christmas.
Wyoming
Wyoming Day, December 10. Women were given the right to vote in the Wyoming Territory on December 10, 1869.
Wyoming Statehood Day, July 10. Wyoming became the forty-fourth state on this day in 1890.
Arbor Day, last Monday in April (Apr 26, 2004).
Primary Election Day, second Tuesday in September (Sep 14, 2004).
Public holidays
Washington-Lincoln Day, Memorial Day, Arbor Day,
Primary Election Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Nellie Tayloe Ross's Birthday,
Wyoming Day, and Christmas.
United Kingdom
Forefathers' Day, December 21. Commemorates the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620 on Plymouth Rock.
Observed in New England.
This day was first observed in 1769.
