Holidays in the United States

Holidays observed with paid time off[edit]

Main article: Holidays with paid time off in the United States

The 1979 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The labor force in the United States comprises about 62% (as of 2014) of the general population. In the United States, 97% of the private sector businesses determine what days this sector of the population gets paid time off, according to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management. The following holidays are observed by the majority of U.S. businesses with paid time off:

• 
  New Year's Day and New Year's Eve^[41]
  
• 
  Memorial Day
  
• 
  Independence Day
  
• 
  Labor Day
  
• 
  Thanksgiving and the day after
  
• 
  Christmas Eve and Christmas
  

Holidays with religious significance[edit]

Box of Valentine chocolates, typically sold around Valentine's Day
Religious and cultural holidays in the United States are characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. However, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...." and Article VI specifies that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." As a result, various religious faiths have flourished, as well as perished, in the United States. A majority of Americans report that religion plays a "very important" role in their lives, a proportion unique among developed nations.
The majority of Americans (73–80%) identify themselves as Christians and about 15–20% have no religious affiliation. According to the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) (2008) 76% of the American adult population identified themselves as Christians, with 51% professing attendance at a variety of churches that could be considered Protestant or unaffiliated, and 25% professing Catholic beliefs.^[44] The same survey says that other religions (including, for example, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism) collectively make up about 4% of the adult population, another 15% of the adult population claim no religious affiliation, and 5.2% said they did not know, or they refused to reply. According to a 2012 survey by the Pew forum, 36 percent of Americans state that they attend services nearly every week or more.^[45]

Christian holidays[edit]

A Stabat Mater depiction, 1868
Main article: Liturgical year
With 65% of adults in the U.S. identifying as Christian, many holidays from the liturgical calendar are observed by this segment of the population.^[46] Many businesses, as well as federal, state, and local governments, are closed on Christmas, arguably the most significant holiday of the Christian religion. A reference in the film A Christmas Story shows a Chinese restaurant being the only establishment open on Christmas.
Some private businesses and certain other institutions are closed on Good Friday.^[48] The financial market and stock market is closed on Good Friday.^[49] Most retail stores remain open, although some might close early. Public schools and most universities are closed on Good Friday, either as a holiday of its own, or part of spring break. The postal service operates, and banks regulated by the federal government do not close for Good Friday.^[2]
Many companies, including banks, malls, shopping centers, and most private retail stores that normally open on Sundays are closed on Easter.
Hindu holidays
Rangoli decorations, made using colored powder, are popular during Diwali.
The Hindu holidays of Diwali and Holi are celebrated in some parts of the United States, mostly by Indian Americans or peoples of Indian descent. ^[66][67] Holi, the "festival of colors" has inspired a Broadway musical based on this festival.^[68] While not officially recognized in most of the United States, the New York City Council officially recognized these as official school holidays in New York City.^[69] CNN reported that the Diwali holiday is shown in American pop culture through an episode of The Office