Us holidays...

The US National Holidays: The US national holidays vary, according to local observance of special days. There are ten annual and one quadrennial holiday laid down by the federal government, for its employees. Some examples of federal holidays are New Year's Day on January 1 every year and Martin Luther King Day on the 3rd Monday in January.

Apart from the federal holidays, there are some other US national holidays. The patriotic and national observances are approved of by presidential proclamation in the US. Some examples are the American Heart month and the Cancer control month. In addition to the official holidays, there are holidays observed nationwide that relate chiefly to religious, ethnic and traditional celebrations. These are not observed by businesses as holidays. One example is January 7 as Orthodox Christmas, that is Christmas Day according to the orthodox tradition.

State holidays are observed locally by the different states. One example is the Alaska Day on October 18, observed in Alaska as the anniversary of transfer to U.S. control. The Puerto Rico Day on July 25 is observed as the Commonwealth Day in Puerto Rico. There are ‘Southern’ holidays too, which can be legal, depending on the state law. For example, April 26 is a legal holiday in Florida.

US Holidays in 2006-2007: The US federal holidays for 2006-2007 are New Year's Day on January 1 every year, Martin Luther King Day on January 16, 2006 and January 15, 2007, President’s Day and Washington’s Birthday observed on February 20, 2006 and February 19, 2007, Memorial Day on May 29, 2006 and May 28, 2007, Independence Day on July 4 every year, Labor Day on September 4, 2006 and September 3, 2007, Columbus Day observed on October 9, 2006 and October 8, 2007, Veterans' Day on November 11 every year, Thanksgiving Day on November 23, 2006 and November 22, 2007 and Christmas Day on December 25 every year.

In addition, the US holidays for 2006-2007 are Groundhog Day on February 2, Lincoln's Birthday on February 12, St. Valentines Day on February 14, Washington's Birthday traditionally on February 22, St. Patrick's Day on March 17, the Fool's Day on April 1, Earth Day on April 22, Cinco de Mayo on May 5, Stepfamily Day on September 16, Citizenship Day on September 17, National Boss Day on October 16, Halloween day on October 31, Kwanzaa from December 26 to January 1 and New Year's Eve on December 31. These are celebrated on the same date, each year.

US Calendar Holidays: The US calendar holidays are chiefly federal or legally declared holidays. The additional holidays differ from state to state. There are holidays that are celebrated on the same day each year and there are those that differ in their observance day every year. The Administrative Professionals Day or National Secretary's Day is included in the 2006 list of US holidays, on April 26, 2006, but not in 2007. Similarly, the Annual Great American Smoke out Day was observed in 2006, the date being 16 November, but it is not included in 2007 calendar of US holidays.

Public Holidays in the US: The annual public holidays in the US are widely observed by state and local governments. However, there can be changes in the days of observation, according to local custom. Generally, banks, post offices, government offices, the stock market and schools remain closed. Most retailers are closed on American Thanksgiving and Christmas, but open on other public holidays in the US. Generally, the ten federal holidays are observed by large private businesses while their smaller counterparts often observe only six.