late January or February (date varies)
Chinese New Year
The start of the new year in the lunar calendar, often associated with China or other Asian nations and a time to celebrate their cultures.
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February or March, date varies
A festive season (Carnival) leading up to Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Closes with Ash Wednesday (40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays), which starts the season of Lent in the Christian calendar.
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January 7
Christmas (Orthodox)
Christmas Day as celebrated in the Orthodox tradition.
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February
Celebrating the contributions and culture of Afro Americans (Black Americans) (U.S. Citizens descended from Africa) throughout U.S. History.
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February 2
Prediction from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania groundhog on whether the country will have six more weeks of winter.
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February 14
Traditional celebration of love and romance, including the exchange of cards, candy, flowers, and other gifts.
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March 17
A celebration of Irish heritage and culture, based on the Catholic feast of St. Patrick. Primary activity is simply the wearing of green clothing ("wearing o' the green"), although drinking beer dyed green is also popular. Attending St. Patrick's Day parades has historically been more popular in the United States than in Ireland.
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April 1
A day to play tricks on family, friends, and coworkers, if so inclined, this day used to be the start of the New Year, the tradition started when New Year's Day was moved from April 1st, to January 1.
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late March or April (Date varies)
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by Pontius Pilate, believed by Christians to have taken place (traditionally) on April 1, 33 AD. Sometimes celebrated as a "Spring holiday" for Universities and schools in certain states.
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Spring Sunday, date varies always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox
Celebrates the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus. For Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans follow old traditions of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy. On the next day, Easter Monday, the President of the United States holds an annual Easter egg roll on the White House lawn for young children. The holiday is also often celebrated as a nonsectarian spring holiday. Not generally observed by most businesses as it always falls on a Sunday. Most financial markets and some other businesses close on the Friday prior, Good Friday (which is a state holiday in many states). Roman Catholic and Protestant groups celebrate Easter on a different Sunday (most years) than Orthodox groups.
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Wednesday of last full week of April
A day for honoring secretaries and other administrative personnel, formerly Secretary's Day.
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April 22 (varies by location and observance)
A day used to promote environmentalism.
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Spring, date varies
Arbor Day
A day for the planting of trees, commonly the last Friday of April but depending on the climate of the state.
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May 5
Cinco de Mayo
Primarily a celebration of Mexican culture by Mexican-Americans living in the United States. Although this is the anniversary of the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, Cinco de Mayo is far more important in the USA than in México itself. Additionally, this "holiday" is often mistaken by Americans as being Mexican Independence Day, which is actually observed on September 16.
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Second Sunday in May
Honors mothers and motherhood (made a "Federal Holiday" by Presidential order, although most Federal agencies are already closed on Sundays)
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Third Saturday in May
Armed Forces Day
Celebrates the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard; formerly, each had separate days.
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June
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Celebrating the contributions and culture of Caribbean Americans (U.S. Citizens from the Caribbean region) throughout U.S. History.
Honors the contributions and ties of the Caribbean with the United States, encourages citizens to learn about various Caribbean cultures.
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June 14
Honors the American flag, encourages citizens to fly the flag and study its traditions.
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June 19
Juneteenth
Primarily an African-American holiday, honors the end of slavery in the United States.
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Third Sunday in June
Honors fathers and fatherhood.
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September or October (depends on Hebrew calendar)
Rosh Hashanah
Traditional beginning of the Jewish High Holidays. It is also celebrates the beginning of a new year on the Hebrew calendar.
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September or October (depends on Hebrew calendar)
Yom Kippur
Traditional end of and highest of the Jewish High Holidays.
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September, first Sunday after Labor Day
Honors grandparents.
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October 12
Honors the first European explorer known to have set foot on North America.
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October 16
Also known as Bosses Appreciation Day. It is a day for honoring all employers and bosses.
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October 31
Celebrates All Hallow's Eve, decorations include jack o'lanterns, costume wearing parties, and candy such as candy corn are also part of the holiday. Kids go trick-or-treating to neighbors who give away candy. Not generally observed by businesses.
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first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
Observed by the federal and state governments in applicable years; legal holiday in some states.
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Saturday that follows November 9
This was a day when women would ask men for dates, usually to a dance or other social, breaking with tradition. Named for the character "Sadie Hawkins" from the long-running comic strip Li'l Abner.
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December 26 through January 1
African American holiday celebration created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga.
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