What Are Federal Holidays?

Federal holidays date back to 1870, the year when the first four congressionally designated federal holidays were created, according to the Congressional Research Service of the U.S. Congress.

“Although frequently called public or national holidays, these celebrations are only legally applicable to federal employees and the District of Columbia [Washington, D.C.], as the states individually decide their own legal holidays,” the Congressional Research Service explains.

Many government offices are closed on federal holidays, while some private businesses may also be shut. “Federal employees receive pay and many receive time off for federal holidays,” says USA.gov, an official U.S. government website.

If a federal holiday takes place during the weekend, the government may observe it on another day, notes USA.gov. This means if a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the Friday before it, while those that land on a Sunday are observed the Monday after.

This explains why in 2021, workers were given Christmas Eve off, even though it’s not officially a federal holiday. This year, December 24 serves as the official day of observance for Christmas, since December 25 falls on a Saturday.

How Many Federal Holidays Are There in the U.S.?

As of 2021, there are 12 permanent federal holidays in the U.S., according to the Congressional Research Service. Below are the official dates for the federal holidays every year in chronological order.

New Year’s Day: January 1Inauguration Day: January 20 (a designated federal holiday for federal employees in Washington, D.
C.
and some parts of its surrounding areas).
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The third Monday in JanuaryWashington’s Birthday (also known as Presidents Day): The third Monday in FebruaryMemorial Day: The last Monday in MayJuneteenth: June 19Independence Day: July 4Labor Day: The first Monday in SeptemberColumbus Day (the second Monday in October)Veterans Day (November 11)Thanksgiving Day (the fourth Thursday in November)Christmas Day (December 25)

Full List of U.S Federal Holidays in 2022

Below are the observed dates for the U.S. federal holidays for 2022, listed in chronological order.

New Year’s Day: December 31, 2021Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 17, 2022Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day): February 21, 2022Memorial Day: May 30, 2022Juneteenth: June 20, 2022Independence Day: July 4, 2022Labor Day: September 5, 2022Columbus Day: October 10, 2022Veterans Day: November 11, 2022Thanksgiving Day: November 24, 2022Christmas Day: December 26, 2022