Top 15 Most Popular & Biggest Holidays in the United States Today
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The United States conjures up images of being the world's foremost economic and military superpower, the global center of the entertainment industry (Hollywood), and a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities.
However, the biggest festival in this country has surprised and intrigued visitors from all over the world.
U.S. federal holidays are annually scheduled on specific days of the week rather than specific times of the month.
The United States, like many other large and small countries, regularly hosts a number of festivals, some of which have gained international renown.
Let's investigate the various celebrations celebrated in the United States.
Top 15 Most Popular Holidays in the United States
(Compiled and introduced by KnowInsiders)
1.ThanksGiving Day
When: America celebrates Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November.
Thanksgiving Day in the USA and Canada will be held on Thursday, November 23, 2023. On Thursday, November 28, 2024, Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving Day, a day to give thanks for the harvest and spend time with family and friends.
Americans have the opportunity to schedule a four-day long weekend on Thanksgiving. Since 1621, when the Puritans first arrived in Massachusetts, it has been observed.
Thanksgiving Day is the day of the year when the most food is consumed. Black Friday, which ushers in the holiday shopping season, comes next. It is now the busiest shopping day of the year in the US as well as the day with the highest retail turnover.
• What is Thanksgiving Day: History, Celebrations: Click Here
• Thanksgiving Day: 5 Weirdest Traditions Ever: Click Here
• Thanksgiving Day: How to make your own delicious candied yams: Click Here
2. Independence Day
Since this is a Federal holiday, in addition to the fact that schools and libraries will be closed on July 4, the majority of federal and state offices will also be closed, and there won't be any mail deliveries. The most patriotic and enthusiastically observed American holiday is Independence Day. There will be fireworks, picnics, barbecues, and parades all across the nation.
The Fourth of July is a federal holiday as well as a holiday in all 50 states and other US territories.
The Declaration of Independence was formally signed on this day in 1776. People organize picnics, fireworks displays, and parades.
 Happy Independence Day of USA (July 4): Timeline, Q & A and Facts About |
3.Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday of January)
The Rev. Martin Luther King, an African American who fought against civil rights, is honored. It is celebrated on January 15th of that year.
America honors the birth, life, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the third Monday in January each year (Martin Luther King Day in 2023 is observed on Monday, January 16).
The majority of federal and state offices will be closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day due to the fact that it is a federal holiday, and there won't be any mail deliveries.
 Martin Luther King Day: Best Quotes, Gift Cards and Interesting Facts |
4. President’s Day - Washington's Birthday (February 22)
Presidents' Day, also referred to as Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. However, records indicate that February 22 is George Washington's birthday.
In the US, it is a national holiday to honor former presidents. On Washington's Birthday, many establishments are open as usual and many have sales. With the exception of the Post Office, many delivery services offer a consistent service, and most public transportation systems—though not all—follow set schedules. For a midwinter break, some schools are out of session for an entire week.
 President Day - Washington's Birthday: History, Significance and Activities |
5. Memorial Day (Fourth Monday of May)
The fourth Monday in May is a holiday set aside to remember the deceased. Public holidays include Memorial Day. The majority of businesses and schools are closed because it is a public holiday.
Half-staff is the customary position for the American flag from dawn until noon. Cemeteries and memorials are frequently visited, especially to remember those who lost their lives while serving in the military. Each grave in national cemeteries has an American flag placed on it by numerous volunteers.
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| Troop 37 Assistant scout master and veteran of the 101st Airborne Rich Gundacker helps place American flags on veteran gravestones for Memorial Day. May 23, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) |
| Americans celebrate US federal holidays that are designated by the United States Congress which is different from the holidays of other countries. Congress is the only body that has the authority to declare holidays in the US. |
6. Veterans Day (November 11)
November 11 is observed as Veterans Day to pay homage to Americans who had served in World War 1. Parades are organized and the president of the country place a wreath on the tomb of unknowns in Arlington.
What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?*Memorial Day has its roots in the 1860s custom of Decoration Day, when flowers were placed on the graves of fallen soldiers. In the years following the Civil War, Decoration Day was observed in both the North and the South. Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor and remember military personnel who have died while serving their country, especially those who were killed in action. There is a unique flag tradition associated with Memorial Day. The flag should be flown at half staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day, and then quickly raised to the top of the staff until dusk in remembrance of the nation's war heroes. Veterans Day, a custom that commemorates the end of World War I, is observed on November 11. Later, the day was extended to honor all veterans, living and deceased. Veterans Day honors all members of the American armed forces, whether they served during a time of war or peace. |
7. Easter (First Sunday after the Full Moon)
Both religious and secular celebrations of Easter are common in the United States. The Christian component of the holiday, which is celebrated by Passion Plays and church services, is often combined with Easter Bunny appearances, parades, and egg hunts in many communities.
What Day Is Easter? The lunar calendar determines the precise date of Easter. It occurs every year on the first Sunday following the full moon that comes after the vernal equinox, which falls between late March and mid-April.
When is Easter in the US in 2023? Easter Sunday in 2023 is set for April 9. Each year, Easter's date can vary quite a bit. Last year, the holiday fell a bit later in the month; this year, it will fall a bit earlier. I hope it's just beginning to warm up where you are!
 Easter Day: History, Significance, Celebrations and Facts |
8.Christmas Day (25 December)
25 December the birthday of Christ is celebrated by decorating houses with stars, lights and Christmas trees. It is a religious holiday for the Christian community.
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| Christmas Day in the United States |
Many Americans, especially Christians, will attend church services onChristmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus. Numerous churches hold unique Christmas Carol services and gatherings where the Christmas story is told.
There are stores called "Christmas Shops" in New England (the American States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine) that are open all year long and only sell Christmas decorations and toys!
In addition to singing carols and sending Christmas cards, Americans also practice the odd tradition of the Christmas Pickle.
In America, people enjoy adorning their homes' exteriors with lights and occasionally, statues of Santa Claus, Snowmen, and Reindeer. On Christmas Eve, some cookies and a glass of milk are frequently left out as a snack for Santa!
• Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? Click Here
• Merry Christmas: Best Wishes and Messages for family and friend: Click Here
• What is Christmas: History and Origin meaning: Here
9.New Year Day (January 1)
January 1st is celebrated as the New year day. It is a festival where celebration begins the night before. People party, have fun and wish one another Happy New year.
Most New Year’s festivities begin on December 31 (New Year’s Eve), the last day of the Gregorian calendar, and continue into the early hours of January 1 (New Year’s Day). Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, making resolutions for the new year and watching fireworks displays.
10.Halloween (October 31)
Over-the-top costumes, houses covered in skeletons and jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treating, haunted houses, street parties, and parades from Los Angeles to New York are all part of Halloween in the US. Of course, each city has its own unique take on the classics.
Halloween cannot be observed as a holiday. Governmental organizations, businesses, and public transportation networks have maintained their regular business hours. If you're out and about in the late afternoon or evening, keep a close eye out for children who aren't accustomed to playing outside in the dark. If they are all-black or wearing masks, they might be harder to spot than usual. They occasionally might abruptly emerge from behind bushes or in between cars when they are excited.
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| Halloween Day in America |
On Halloween, people gather with their loved ones and, perhaps, their coworkers. But in certain places, huge community gatherings are held. Celebrations might be held on Halloween night or on the two weekends before and after. Adults can participate in the festivities by viewing scary movies, hosting costume parties, or building fake graveyards and haunted houses.
Many neighborhood children dress up for Halloween and knock on doors in elaborate costumes. They knock on doors and demand small gifts and treats. If they don't get what they want, they've threatened the homeowners with physical harm. This tradition, known as "trick-or-treating," is meant to be enjoyed in good fun and without any malice. However, if your children are interested in participating, you should accompany them and check the "treats" they receive to ensure they are safe to eat or play with.
Others carve "scary" faces into pumpkins and other vegetables to use as lanterns, while some households choose to decorate their yards and homes with a Halloween theme. These were offered to ward off evil spirits. If you happen to be home on Halloween and someone knocks on your door, have a dish of candy on hand. This will win over the neighborhood gnomes and fairies.
11.Valentine’s Day (Feb.14)
In many places, Valentine’s Day is for couples, for romantic love only. Not in the USA!
In the USA, Valentine’s Day is a big event at schools. In elementary school, kids exchange Valentine’s cards. Each kid will make a special box, and every student in the class will put a small Valentine’s card in the box of every other kid in the class.
Adults also exchange Valentine’s Day gifts and cards with family and friends.
 Top 100 Best Wishes And Messages for Valentine’s Day |
12.St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
St. Patrick's Day is recognized annually on March 17, though festivities are not necessarily restricted to that day. March 17 is significant because it is thought that St. Patrick passed away on that day in the late fifth century.
Ireland's patron saint and national apostle is Saint Patrick. The Christian celebration of his life and name is due to his success in bringing Christianity to Ireland.
On this day, many people don something green. This holiday is celebrated with gatherings that feature Irish food and beverages that have been food-colored green. It's a time when kids can indulge in treats and grownups can visit a neighborhood pub for a "pint" of beer. Irish food and drink are widely available in restaurants and pubs.
 St Patrick’s Day (March 17): History, Celebration, Tradition, Meaning And Jokes |
13.Black Friday (Friday after Thanksgiving)
The Friday following Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is regarded as the busiest shopping day in the US.
This special day got its start in the Philadelphia traffic jam on the Friday following Thanksgiving in 1965, when hundreds of thousands of Americans jammed together to shop and prepare for the upcoming Christmas. To draw customers, the US business community launched a number of promotions and discounts as well as heavy media advertising.
The biggest sales day of the year is today. People waiting in line to buy are jam-packed because the price is low and the available stock is small. Some even brought blankets to sleep on while they waited in front of the door for a long line of people. In addition to the low price, the buyer today feels thrilled and thrilled when they shop.
 Why is it called Black Friday - Holiday Shopping? What is Black Friday (Holiday Shopping)? Why is it called Black Friday? |
14.Labor Day (First Monday of September)
In other nations, May 1st is observed as Labor Day.
American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone, and the Virgin Islands all observe Labor Day as a legal holiday on the first Monday in September.
After the competition season, sports teams and sports also take a significant break during this time. The majority of businesses and schools are closed because it is a public holiday.
It is customary to refrain from donning white after Labor Day. This late Victorian era fashion faux pas was made. White, according to the Emily Post Institute, signified that you were still on vacation, so it only made sense that when summer ended, people stopped wearing white.
 International Workers' Day (May 1): History, Meaning, Celebrations, Wish and Quotes |
15.Columbus Day (Second Monday of October)
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In honor of Christopher Columbus, who arrived in the New World on October 12, 1492, it is observed on the second Monday of October.
Although it was unofficially observed in many towns and states as early as the 18th century, it wasn't until 1937 that it was declared a federal holiday.
This holiday is divisive because indigenous peoples' histories and cultures in the Americas were destroyed as a result of European colonization. In some places (see list below), Columbus Day is observed as a public holiday, meaning that most establishments are closed and students have the day off. Columbus Day is a regular working day in other places.
• In 2023 Columbus Day is Monday, October 9th.
• Columbus Day in 2024 is on Monday, the 14th of October.
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