State Holidays

*********** FEB 14TH VALENTINES DAY• HUG YOUR SWEETIE On October 18th in Alaska, it's always. HappyEastłer LET'S KICK IT OFF RIGHT WITH ALASKA DAY DON'T FORGET EVE THIRD MONDAY OF FEBRUARY Be sure to make reservations at least one month in advance. Don't wait until today. June 20 is West Virglinia Day Not to be confused with Seward's Day, this holiday commemo- rates the official transfer of Alaska from Russia to America. Celebrated mostly in Sitka, Alaska, it is marked by the ceremo- nial lowering and raising of the flags. NEXT YEAR APRIL 4, 2010 The date varies, but it usually falls the first Sunday after the March Equinox. Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, also the end of Lent. It does not mean Spring Break. Only Hawaii recognizes it as a state holiday. Candy or choco- late eggs are a traditional symbol, but Russian royalty commissioned Fabergé to create his famous jeweled eggs, of which only 69 survive. ************* *****+*** PRESIDENTS DAY, •DECEMBER 31 EVERY YEAR- GEORGE WASHINGTON'S •NEVADA DAYY LAST During the Civil War, West Virginia-then part of Virginia- refused to secede from the Union with the rest of the state. West Virginia Day celebrates the decision to remain part of the Union and become an independent state. or * FRIDAY IN OCT. Marks the admission of Nevada into the Union in 1864, though it did not become an official holiday in 1933. Because Nevada Day can fall on Halloween, parts of the state have been known In Kentucky and Wyoming, the last day of the Gregorian Calen- dar is celebrated as a state holiday. For the rest of us, it's celebrated by making noise, staying up late, dancing, and paving way too much for a babysítter, a mediocre dinner, and Due to the tinkering of 1971's Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, *champagne." We've dropped the ball in Times Square since 1907, skipping only 1942 and 1943 for war blackouts, this holiday celebrating the birthday of the first American idol Dick Clark has been Rockin' New Year's Eve for 37 vears was moved and eventually came to be known (though not offi- Bandleader Guy Lombardo performed nobody's favorite cially) as Presidents Day. Only the folks in 43 states (not those 'Auld Lang Syne' for 48 years. Imagine just how much he in Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Rhode Island, or Wis- hated that song. BIRTHDAY ARBOR DAY to celebrate Halloween a day earlier. IF IT'S THE LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE, THAT MEANS FATHER'S DAY October 31 is Halloween LAST FRIDAY IN APRIL, OR VARIES BY STATE, DEPENDING ON CLIMATE Nebraska is the only state to honor this holiday, which is fitting because Arbor Day was invented by a Nebraskan Gover- nor named Julius Šterling Morton. One million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day in 1872-a very good thing as there were virtually no trees in Nebraska beforehand. Buy candy now while it's cheaper. Kids don't care if it's stale. consin, sorry) get this day off. MARDI GRAS JULY TUES. AFTER 1st MON. of NOV. Election Day! THE ALMOST ALWAYS FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY PATRIOTS' DAYB INDEPENDENCE DAY The states of Illinois, New Jersey, and New York have an official holiday on Élection Day. Whether this increases voter turnout is still up for debate. Only Louisiana calls this a state holiday, as well they should. "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday which is before Ash Wednesday, prior to fasting for Lent. The date can vary from February 3rd to as late as March 9, as it is dependent on Easter, which is based on Maine and Massachusetts celebrate the Battles of Lexington American Hol iday. cycles of the moon. This holiday, celebrated in all fifty states, celebrates the sign- ing of the Declaration of Independence and the break with the Kingdom of Great Britain. It is usually celebrated with fire- works, parades, barbecues, picnics, and sunburn. The original DATE VARIES 3RD MONDAY IN APRIL NEW YEAR'S DAY TODAY NOVEMBER II* A DAY FOR VETERANS First Tuesday in March "TOWN MEETING DA Y" and Concord-the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. This is not to be confused with Patriot Day, which is on September 11. July "If it occurs on a Sunday, then the following Monday is designated for holiday leave, and ir it occurs Saturday, then either Saturday or Friday may be designated. JANUARY I PIONEER 24. Vermont's residents recognize this day to participate in their MAY 8 is All 50 states have a holiday on New Year's Day. It's a day of local Town Meeting, where they vote on local ofricials, bud- parades, betting on college football, recovering from the night gets, and other municipal business. However, some politicians * before, and a great day to start putting off those resolutions. In the United States have been using the term to represent a The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. Eating forum for voters to ask questions. black-eyed peas may bring luck all year long. Or it may not. TRUMAN DAY * DAY * Originally known as Armistice Day, this holiday was created as a federal holiday at the end of wWI. After wWII, the holiday was changed to celebrate veterans of all wars. Wisconsin is the in Missouri X tahns celebrate the day the Mormon leader Brigham Young.only state to not recognize this as a holiday. 1884. He entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, where the Latter-day repeatedly said the "S" was his middle name, and wasn't short Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois, and 2nd SUN, IN NOVEMBER DAYLIGHT SAVINGS - FALL BACK 1HR. 2nd SUN. IN MARCH DAYLIGHT SAVINGS - JUMP AHEAD 1HR, Missouri's favorite son, Harry S. Truman was born ON THE FRIDAT BEFORE THE Officially begun in 1918, during Prohibition, this yearly event for anything. He's famous for many things, but mostly for his other locations in the enstern United States THIRD MONDAT IN 7ANU ART hour of drinking time on the day when Daylight Saving Time can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." In later life, he and OR THE FRID AT BEFORE M.L.K. Thanksgiving Day VICTORY, DAY springs forward one hour. his wife Bess were the first two recipients of Medicare cards by Lyndon Johnson in recognition of Truman's fight for govern- ment healthcare. Fourth Thursday In November. All 50 states celebrate this holiday proclaimed by Lincoln in 1863. He wrote, "I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of August Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwell- eth in the Heavens." Every president since then has proclaimed Celebrates the victory over Japan in World War II. While many a Day of Thanksgiving, but an official date was set in 1941. Lee-Jack.son Day and when in Hanaii CELEBR ATE 2nd Monday in In Virginia. This day honors the birthdays of two Confederate Generals, Robert E. Lee, and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Lee's birthday has been celebrated since 1889; Jackson was added in 1904, Since the holiday was so close to Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a while, it was "Lee-Jackson-King Day," but after someone pointed out that the civil rights icon might not have agreed with the Confederate Generals, it became two separate holidays. on March 26 PRINCE JONAH KŪHIO! Confederate KALANIANA'OLE DAY Memorial Day Last Sunday in May in Missinsippi, Georgia, and Ala- bama. May 11 th in South Carolina. When Memorial Day was first celebrated after the Civil War, it was intended to honor only fallen Union soldiers. Confederate Memo- rial Day was started by some Southern states to honor their own soldiers. states no longer recognize the holiday due to concerns over glorifying the dropping of the atomic bombs, Rhode Island- which lost an incredibly high percentage of its citizens in the Pacific theater-still commemorates the day. "BLACK DAY AFTER TURKEY FRIDAY" DAY This holiday commemorates the birth of "Prince Cupid," who was heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Prince of the House of Kalakaua, and later Territorial Delegate in the U.S. Congress after Hawaii was annexed. M.L.K. DAY Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. SEWARD'S DAY THIRD MONDAY IN JAN. AUGUST 16 BENNINETON BATTLE DAY The day after Thanksgiving, known in the retail world as Black Friday, is given as a holiday in 20 states, often in lieu of celebrating a different holiday, under the assuumption that plac- ing two holidays together is more convenient. Considered the biggest shopping day before Christmas, it is actually eclipsed by the Saturday before Christmas. In 1992, "Buy Nothing Day" was created to "examine the issue of overconsumption." SECOND SUNDAY IN MAY Vermonters celebrate a Revolutionary War battle that occurred ommOmICrINICNCa O C NINCI E Call Your Mother across the state border in New York. The victory of militiamen from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont at the Battle of Bennington is celebrated with historic re-enactments culminating in the firing of the oldest cannon in America, the Molly Stark. Honors the civil rights leader and young- est person to win the Nobel P'eace Prize. First observed in 1986. In 2000, South *T Have Carolina became the last state to make King's birthday a state holiday. In Missis- sippi and Alabama, MLK Day is also a Day" which had been negotiated by Lincoln's Secretary of State Wil- celebrated as Robert E. Lee Day. Last Monday in March Commemorates the 1867 signing of the Alaska Purchase, LAST MONDAY IN MAY STATEHOOD DAY IN HAWAII MEMORIAL DAY liam Seward. The United Štates literally wrote a check to Russia for a little more than 7 million dollars. Imagine buying 586,412 acres for 1.9e an acre in today's market. They called the purchase "Seward's Folly," "Seward's Icebox," and "Andrew Johnson's Polar Bear Garden." No wonder John Wilkes Booth * tried to assassinate him too. THIRD FRIDAY IN AUGUS T CHRISTMAS EVE Celebrates the day Hawaii became a state. Formerly known as Admission Day, this holiday creates controversy with some native Hawaiians who don't feel it should be celebrated. Celebrated as an official holiday in Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, and Arkansas. * * * * JANUARY 19 x In 1868, this day was created to honor only Union soldiers. A11ASK ANYBODY 50 states now have adopted it to recognize all those who've fallen in battle. It also signifies the start of summer, and that it's okay to wear white. IT'S ROBT. E.LEE DAY *CÉSAR CHAVEZ'S DAY * LABOR Christmas Day DEC. 25 EVERBODY'S DAY FAVORITE Georgia needed another day for Robert E. Lee. MARCH 31 FIRST JEFFERSON DAVIS DAY• MONDAY all 50 states now honor the accomplishments of MONDAY Officially kicks off football season, and marks the end of summer. First celebrated in Oregon, IN JUNE the American worker. It became a federal holi- OF SEPT FIRST The only religious holiday celebrated by the federal govern- ment and all 50 states. It was made an official holiday in 1870. Thomas Nast drew the iconic Santa Claus in 1881. There is a vigorous debate about the use of the term "Christmas," as some prefer "Holiday." Some major retailers chose "Holiday," sparking the "War on Christmas," where prominent media figures and others argued that any specific mention of the term "Christmas" or its religious aspects was being increas- ingly censored, avoided, or discouraged by a number of adver- tisers, retailers, government (prominently schools), and other public and secular organizations. 2N GROUNDHOG DAY Celebrates the birthday of the labor activist with a day to honor • service and volunteerism. The first public legal holiday to honor a Labor or Latino leader. Begun in 2000 after Chavez' OF FEB IF PHIL SEES HIS SHADOW, IT'S SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER death in 1993, the California state holiday may become a fed- đay in 1894. eral holiday, but has been blocked by Republican representa- Alabama and Florida celebrate the birthday of the Confederate Second Monday in October - You name it tives who introduced a rule prohibiting remembrance or recog- President Jefferson Davis. The former Mississippi Senator was nition of an individual. This rule must be overturned and the held in a military prison for two vears before being released. LINCOLN'S COLUMBUS DAY TODAY IN bill must be adopted before the President can sign it into law. He later was elected to the Senate again, but barred from serv- BIRTHDAY |ing by the 14th Amendment. HISTORY in thirty three states, April fool's Day but not AR, FL, HI, IA, KS, KY, LA, MS, NH, ND, OK, OR, or WI. KING February 12th Este Semana now celebrated only every four years 1948 KAMEHAMEHA DAY or NATIVE AMERICAN DAY "Twas the Day After Christmas Only Texas, South Carolina, and Kentucky recognize this day as a holiday. GOOD FRI DAY in South Carolina June 11 or ALASKA DAY Celebrates the birth of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Most states (all but six-Connecticut, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, Missouri and Illinois of all places) have stopped the celebration as its own holiday, and have combined it with Washington's birthday to form Presidents Day. This pleases advertisers very much, since it is a great excuse to kick off a Huge Presidents Day Colossal Three-Day Only Sales Event!!! FRIDAY BEFORE EASTER Commemorates the cru- tius Pilate at Calvary. Good Friday-celebrated in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, New Great) who unified the different Hawajjan Islands into one Made a federal holiday in 1934, this day celebrates Columbus' Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee-is one of only three kingdom and became the first King. Tle is remembered for the journey to America and was first celebrated in 1792. Today, |Christian holidays recognized by any state. And it's a great day for hot cross buns at the bakery. cifixion Jesus by Pon- in Alaska AND IT ALL STARTS AGAIN WITH Hawaii celebrates the birthday of King Kamehameha I (The NEWYEAR'S EVE some states don't celebrate the holiday, out of respect for "Law of the Splintered Paddle," which protects human rights Native American cultures who do not revere Columbus' arrival of non-combatants in times of battle. in the New World.