AMERICAN SPECIAL DAYS AND HOLIDAYS

 

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U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOLIDAYS:

 

New Year's Day (1)

January 1

Martin Luther King Day

Third Monday in January

Presidents' Day

Third Monday in February

Memorial Day

Last Monday in May

Independence Day (1)

July 4

Labor Day

First Monday in September

Columbus Day (2)

Second Monday in October

Veterans' Day (2)

Second Monday in November

Thanksgiving Day

Fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Day (1)

December 25

 

 

(1)    If this falls of a Saturday, most offices will be closed the previous Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, most offices will be closed the following Monday.

 

(2)    U.S. government offices and many state and local government offices are closed on these days, but most private businesses are open. However, many Americans of Italian ancestry might take a vacation day to celebrate Columbus Day (second Monday in October) and a number of military veterans are likely to be away from work on Veteran’s Day (second Monday in November).

 

 

OTHER POTENTIALLY SUBOPTIMAL DAYS FOR MEETINGS:

 

The business day before a holiday: Many Americans will extend the weekends by taking vacation days on the days before holidays.  Many others plan to leave work early on those days and don’t wish to attend meetings. Securities markets sometimes close early on those days.

 

Mondays before Tuesday holidays and Fridays after Thursday holidays: Many Americans will extend the weekends by taking vacation days on the days before Tuesday holidays or the days after Thursday holidays.  Many others plan to leave work early on those days and don’t wish to attend meetings.

 

Superbowl: Although the Superbowl of American football is played on a Sunday evening near the end of January, many fans cannot be counted on to pay full attention to business matters on the following Monday and, to a lesser extent, on the previous Friday.

 

Chinese New Year: Meetings on this day, usually in February, shouldn’t be a problem unless key participants are very closely tied to Chinese culture.  However, many Americans with Chinese names are from families that have lived in the U.S. for generations and do not necessarily take time off from work to celebrate Chinese New Year.

 

Good Friday: Stock markets are closed on this day, which is usually in February or March, and most everyone in the securities business will not be working.

 

July and August: Many Americans take vacations (usually a week or two) during these months, especially those with children in school.  Meetings occur regularly during this period, but attendance is frequently less than 100%.

 

Halloween: Some people will plan to leave work a bit early on Oct. 31 to accommodate children’s functions of to attend parties. If you do business in America on Halloween, don’t be surprised to see people dress in unusual ways, especially children.

 

Election Day: Scheduling a meeting on this day--the Tuesday after the first Monday in November--could be difficult, as many people will arrive at work later than normal of leave earlier than normal in order to vote.

 

Friday after Thanksgiving: Many American offices are closed this day and even with businesses that stay open, many people will take a vacation day. This is often called “Black Friday” because it is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and many retail businesses transition from a loss for the year to date (being “in the red”) to net profitability for the year (being “in the black”).

 

Mid-December through early January: Many Americans take vacation days during this period, especially the period from two business days prior to the Christmas holiday to two days after the New Year holiday.  Others are apt to have their attention diverted by plans for the Christmas and New Year holidays.  Many African Americans observe Kwanzaa, a holiday based on the African celebration of the first harvest of the year, December 26 through January 1.

 

Jewish Holidays: Unless it is certain that no Jews will be involved in a meeting, it is best to avoid scheduling meeting on the Jewish holidays in the autumn of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  These holidays begin at sundown the day prior to the holiday, so it is save to assume that Jews will leave work early the day before the holiday.  For this reason, it is prudent to avoid meetings involving Jews on the day preceding the holiday and on the holiday itself.

 

 

OTHER SPECIAL DAYS FOR AMERICANS:

 

Valentine’s Day: People in offices might offer you candy or other treats on this day (Feb. 14).

 

St. Patrick’s Day: Americans of every ethnic background are likely to greet others with, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” on March 17.  Whatever your cultural background, it is suggested that you respond by smiling and wishing them a similarly happy St. Patrick’s day.  Some may plan to leave work early to view parades or attend special dinners or parties.

 

Cinco de Mayo: Many Americans of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds consider May 5 a day to recognize the many contributions of Mexican heritage to the U.S.