Depending on the country, origin, region and culture, every nation has a list of federal holidays, public holidays and other observances. One can make out an idea about a particular nation, its customs and traditions, by having a look at the list of these holidays, celebrations and observances. There are no national holidays in the United States. Rather there is a list of federal holidays in US. Each of the states in US enjoys their own jurisdiction when it comes to celebration and observance of the holidays. Only holidays pertaining to its own employees are recognized by the U.S. Federal government. Hence it is also known as US Federal Holidays. It is at the discretion of each state or local jurisdiction to determine official holiday schedules.

Like every year, the 2012 Federal Holidays include the

• New Years Day
• Birthday of Martin Luther King
• Washington's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

The 4 federal holidays, 2012 namely the New Years Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Day, like every year will be celebrated by date. Whereas the other 2012 federal holidays like Birthday of Martin Luther King, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Washington's Birthday will be observed as always by a particular day of the month and week.

The federal Holidays in the United States have been established by the Federal law. Majority of the Federal employees usually work from Monday to Friday. For all these employees, when any federal holiday falls on Saturdays or Sundays, then the holiday will be observed on the following Monday, in case of the holiday falling on Sunday; and the holiday will be celebrated on the preceding Friday in case the holiday falls on Saturdays.

The following table presents you with the list of 2012 Federal Holidays along with the general observance date of these United States Federal Holidays, irrespective of any specific year.

• In the year 2012, the New Year’s Day that is 1st January 2012 will be Sunday. Hence it will be observed as a 2012 Federal Holiday on Monday that is 2nd January 2012.
  
  
• The 2012 Veteran’s Day is on a Sunday. Hence the federal holiday 2012 for the Veteran’s Day will be celebrated on Monday that is 12th November 2012.

New Year’s Day

The New Year’s Day celebrates the commencement of the Gregorian calendar year and also marks the beginning of a new, fresh year. It is observed every year on 1st of January. The 2012 New Year Holiday will be celebrated on 2nd January 2012, Monday.

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Junior

Also known as the Martin Luther King, Junior Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Junior is an occasion to honor him who was the leader of the Civil Rights. It is observed every year on the third Monday in the month of January. The 2012 federal holiday for the birthday of Martin Luther King, Junior will be on 16th January 2012, Monday.

Washington’s Birthday

Among the federal holidays of the US, Washington’s Birthday happens to be a popular one. It was 1st announced as a federal holiday in the United States through the act of Congress of 1879. Later on the commemoration date for the observance of Washington’s Birthday was shifted through the Uniform Holidays Act of 1968, from 22nd February to the 3rd Monday in the month of February. This holiday is also known as the “Presidents’ Day” and is a day to honor all the presidents in America. The 2012 Washington’s Birthday holiday is on 20th February 2012 that is Monday.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day in US is to honor and respect the nation’s war dead since the time of the Civil War. It also marks the commencement of the of the summer season, unofficially. It is observed every year on the last Monday of the month of May. The 2012 Memorial Day Holiday will be on 28th May 2012, Monday.

Independence Day

The Independence Day in the United Sates is the declaration and celebration of the Independence. Observed every year on July 4th, it is also known as Fourth of July. The 2012 Independence Day Holiday will be on 4th July 2012, Wednesday.

Labor Day

Labor Day is the day to celebrate the labor movement and the achievements of the workers. It is observed on the first Monday in the month of September, the 2012 Labor’s Day holiday will be on 3rd September 2012.

Columbus Day

Columbus Day honors the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus. In several parts, the day is also the celebration of Italian heritage and culture. In Alabama, it is celebrated as the American Indian Heritage Day and Fraternal Day. In South Dakota, it is observed as the Native American Day while In Hawaii, it is the Discoverer’s Day, although it is not celebrated as a state holiday. It is observed every year on the second Monday of the month of October. The 2012 Columbus Day holiday will be on 8th of October 2012 that is Monday.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is the day to pay honor and tribute the veterans of the armed forces of the United States. Maintaining a moment of silence at 11:00 A.M. has been a traditional observation by the people on this day. It is a moment to honor those who were killed in the war. It is observed every year in the month of November 11. 2012 Veterans Day Holiday will be on 12th November 2012, Monday.

Thanksgiving Day

Traditionally the Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as an occasion to offer thanks to God for the bountiful autumn harvest. Having turkey dinner is a feature of this day. It is to be mentioned here that Canada doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the same day as US. It is observed every year on the 4th Thursday of the month of November. The 2012 Thanksgiving Holiday is on 22nd Thursday, 2012.

Christmas

Christmas in the United States is the occasion to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus. Decorating the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, praying are considered important aspects of this festival. Every year it is observed and celebrated on 25th of December and is counted as a federal holiday in US. Like every year the 2012 Christmas holiday is on 25th of December.



More on 2012