Major American Holidays
Almost everyone who’s interested in U.S. culture has heard about American holidays. But usually, these are scattered, stereotypical bits from cartoons or movie scenes — pilgrims and turkey on Thanksgiving, something going on in July, some parade for veterans...
Holidays are one of the most fascinating aspects of a nation’s culture. They clearly show what values a society holds and how people like to spend their time. Even the overloaded Thanksgiving tables with turkey and pies have more stories behind them than you might think.
American Butler presents a guide to American holidays: why turkey is so iconic on Thanksgiving and what Native Americans have to do with it, how Italian Americans go all-out in celebration of Columbus Day, how doctors and lawyers were once excluded from Labor Day parades, and where to find the best fireworks shows — plus how many U.S. presidents have died on national holidays.
Thanksgiving Day
- Observed: Fourth Thursday of November each year (since 1621).
- Essence: Giving thanks for the harvest and expressing gratitude to others for their help and support.
Thanksgiving is probably the most mentioned American holiday after Christmas. But outside the U.S. and Canada, few people really know what it’s about. In reality, it's not that complicated. Thanksgiving is a blend of a harvest festival and something akin to a unity day — but with a very specific historical background.
The very first British settlers arrived in America in 1620 (in what is now the state of Massachusetts) and were met with immense difficulties. The climate was different, crops wouldn’t grow, livestock perished, and people were falling ill from unfamiliar diseases.
Realizing they couldn’t survive without help, the colonists turned to local Native American tribes for guidance. The indigenous people shared their agricultural knowledge and survival skills. One man in particular, a Native American named Squanto, played a key role. Having once been captured by slave traders, he later escaped with help from the English and had learned the language. He gladly helped the newcomers adapt.
By the fall of the following year, the colonists had their first successful harvest. In gratitude, they organized a feast in late November to thank God for His mercy (as they were devout Puritans), and they invited the Native Americans who had helped them. This became a symbol of unity, mutual respect, and support in difficult times. Since then, Thanksgiving has been a harvest-themed celebration, traditionally observed in November. It also marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season.
As for the famous turkey — it’s simply a tradition, not a sacred element. Turkeys were easy to breed, grew quickly, and were a practical source of meat for the settlers, which made them the ideal centerpiece for a feast.
Thanksgiving Traditions
- Turkey is usually stuffed with a special family recipe.
- Other traditional dishes include pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes.
- A prayer or words of gratitude are usually said at the table.
Columbus Day
- Observed: Second Monday of October each year (since 1792).
- Essence: A tribute to the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.
Columbus Day is a federal holiday and an official day off in most U.S. states. Historically, Christopher Columbus reached the islands of the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, but the holiday date was later shifted to a Monday. This change was partly due to disagreements among historians and geographers about which exact landfall should be considered the true "discovery" of the continent. Still, Hispanic and Italian communities — who continue to debate whether Columbus was Spanish or Italian — tend to celebrate the original October 12 date.
It’s worth noting that this day is celebrated with particular grandeur in cities like San Francisco and New York. There, the holiday includes large parades, festive events, and family-friendly public activities. Children's educational plays and historical exhibitions are also common. In contrast, you’re unlikely to find major celebrations in states like Nevada or Hawaii.
How it’s celebrated
- Parades, especially in cities with strong Italian-American communities.
- Historical reenactments and cultural showcases.
- School discussions and media segments about Columbus’s legacy.
It’s important to recognize that Columbus Day is not without controversy. Some view it as the beginning of Western civilization in the Americas, while others see it as the start of centuries of oppression for Indigenous peoples.
Labor Day
- Observed: First Monday of September each year (since 1882).
- Essence: A celebration honoring those who work for the good of America.
Labor Day is the American counterpart of May Day, but with a very different tone. It’s not a protest, but a celebration of workers — and an unofficial farewell to summer. It’s a federal holiday, and fun fact: it was founded by the Knights of Labor from New York. Yes, the name sounds medieval, and they did have something like an “order” — but in reality, they were a powerful labor rights organization with national influence (and a flair for drama).
They advocated for better working conditions for everyone — except the following:
- 01. Doctors
Considered untrustworthy money-takers with no real skills - 02. Liquor producers and vendors
Blamed for moral and social harm - 03. Lawyers
Thought to be too close to political power - 04. Bankers
Branded as overly greedy capitalists
The Knights of Labor dissolved in 1949, but the holiday remained — and thankfully, these professions are now included in the celebration.
The way it’s celebrated may look familiar to anyone from post-Soviet countries: parades, demonstrations, and public shows of working-class solidarity. The day can also serve as a platform to highlight labor-related issues. Workers often use parades and rallies to voice their opinions about wages, conditions, and employment policies.
Interestingly, the Sunday before Labor Day is considered a “working Sunday.” On that day, people either work as a tribute to the country and its economy, or they participate in special events: lectures, public forums, and even factory or office tours for children to see how things operate behind the scenes.
Independence Day (The Fourth of July)
- Observed: July 4 (since 1776).
- Essence: Commemorates the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day is a nationwide celebration with a particularly patriotic flair and ceremonial grandeur. It’s traditionally considered the birthday of the United States as a sovereign nation, though historians sometimes debate the exact significance of the date. The symbolic heroes of the day are members of the Continental Congress who signed the Declaration — including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.
It is a federal holiday across all states, and typically includes parades, public festivals, concerts (the most iconic being A Capitol Fourth on the Capitol lawn in Washington, D.C.), family picnics and barbecues, major sporting events (especially baseball and rugby), public races like the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, and of course — fireworks accompanied by the national anthem or other patriotic music.
The most spectacular firework shows take place in Washington, D.C., New York City (over the East River or Hudson), and Boston, where the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is organized by the Boston Symphony Orchestra — fittingly held near the very region where British colonists first landed. At military bases, ceremonial cannon salutes are fired at noon. A more recent and very American tradition is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, now nationally televised — a quirky, beloved spectacle of over-the-top competitiveness.
Fun fact: Americans rarely refer to this holiday as “Independence Day” in casual conversation. More often, it’s simply “the Fourth of July.” And the date itself has gained a sort of mystique — a kind of paranormal folklore. Strange but true: exactly 50 years after the Declaration was adopted, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day — July 4, 1826. A few years later, President James Monroe also passed away on July 4.
Coincidence? Maybe. But in a country that loves drama and symbolism — it only added more reverence to the Fourth of July.
Veterans Day
- Observed: November 11 (since 1926).
- Essence: Anniversary of the end of World War I for the United States; a tribute to those who defended America — both living and fallen.
Originally known as Armistice Day until 1954, this holiday marked the ceasefire agreement signed on November 11, 1918, between the Allied Powers and Germany. Later, Congress decided to commemorate this date in honor of all U.S. soldiers who died in World War I. Today, Veterans Day has evolved into a broader celebration — one that recognizes the service and sacrifice of all American veterans, from every era.
Because the date is close to (or occasionally overlaps with) Thanksgiving, most schools and businesses remain open, and it’s not considered a universal day off. Still, commemorative events are held across the country:
wreath-laying ceremonies at veterans’ graves (with special focus on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery), reunions of veterans across all branches, and concerts.
If the holiday falls on a weekend and schools are closed, patriotic programs for children are often organized — museum tours, visits to memorials, meetings with veterans, or outings with parents to places of military remembrance.
Traditions
- A moment of silence at 11:00 AM.
- Free meals and services for veterans.
- Parades featuring former servicemen and women.
Schoolchildren create thank-you cards and write letters of gratitude
Memorial Day
- Observed: Last Monday of May each year (since 1873).
- Essence: A day of gratitude to those who gave their lives for peace, honoring all American soldiers and civilians who died in wars and military conflicts.
Unlike Veterans Day, this holiday carries a more somber tone. In appreciation for the defense of the homeland and human freedoms, Americans pay tribute to the fallen — soldiers, civil activists, politicians, and loved ones who lost their lives during conflicts. Special services are held in churches. The national flag is lowered to half-staff until noon.
The tradition dates back to the time of the Civil War, or the War Between the North and South. Widows’ and mothers’ associations in the South would bring flowers to graves and former battlefields to honor their dead. However, for many years, Southern states refused to commemorate their fallen on the same day as the Northern states. Until the start of World War I, they marked Memorial Day one or two days earlier.
It wasn’t until 1971 that the holiday was assigned a fixed weekday — the last Monday of May — allowing a long weekend for families to attend ceremonies and observances.
What happens on Memorial Day
- Graves are decorated with American flags and flowers.
- Military ceremonies and honor marches are held.
- A national moment of silence is observed at 3:00 PM local time.
Despite the serious and reflective nature of the day, Memorial Day still includes celebratory elements. Many Americans gather for picnics or barbecues in parks, and military base tours are often arranged for children and families.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Observed: Third Monday of January.
- Essence: A day of remembrance for the leader of the civil rights movement and a symbol of racial equality.
This is an official holiday — a day when America reflects on the high cost of its ideals of freedom, justice, and equality.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor, an activist, and a man who never picked up a weapon, yet changed a nation forever. He inspired millions through nonviolent protest and unwavering faith in a better future. His legendary speech, “I Have a Dream,” delivered in 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, became a global symbol of hope — not just for Black Americans, but for all who believe in justice.
King fought for the abolition of racial segregation, for equal voting rights, and for opportunities for all citizens. He led marches, wrote books, endured threats and arrests, yet never gave up. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1968, he was assassinated in Memphis. Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves as a reminder that equality is not just a given — it's something that was fought for. The holiday is meant to unite Americans in the spirit of service, mutual respect, and meaningful dialogue.
This is not a passive holiday — it’s a day of action. A time to embrace King’s ideas, do something good, help someone in need. Because real change begins not with slogans, but with deeds.
How it’s observed
- People across the country participate in volunteer activities — helping the homeless, cleaning parks, organizing food drives. It’s a day when action matters more than words.
- Schools and universities hold thematic lessons, film screenings, and discussions about civil rights and equality.
- Religious services are held in many cities. In Atlanta and Washington, D.C., people join memorial marches with speeches, songs, and moments of silence.
- Politicians, community leaders, and activists speak about the ongoing importance of justice and equal rights. Museums host exhibits dedicated to the civil rights movement.
Presidents’ Day
- Observed: Third Monday of February.
- Essence: Honoring George Washington — the first U.S. president — as well as all heads of state.
At first glance, it may seem like just another formal date on the calendar. In reality, it’s one of the most "American" holidays there is.
Presidents’ Day was originally established to honor only George Washington, the "Father of the Nation," whose birthday is on February 22. Later, Abraham Lincoln — the president who abolished slavery, born on February 12 — was added to the celebration. Eventually, the two were merged into a single federal holiday.
Americans don't view their presidents merely as officials — they see them as symbols of their era. Each president reflects the spirit of their time: some inspired, some made mistakes, others changed the course of history. This holiday celebrates the idea of leadership and public service.
Though it is an official holiday, public perception varies. For some, it's a convenient day for shopping, for others — a chance to visit Washington, D.C. with the kids. And for many — a moment to reflect on the kind of country they want to help build.
What happens on Presidents’ Day
- Schools and colleges hold interactive lessons about U.S. presidents — discussing major decisions, biographies, and even humorous stories from the White House.
- Tourists travel to historic sites like Washington, Mount Vernon, and Springfield, where presidents lived and worked — especially popular are the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol.
- Yes, Americans know how to combine patriotism with consumerism — major national sales happen on Presidents’ Day, offering deals on everything from electronics to clothing
Christmas
- Observed: December 25.
- Essence: A religious and family-centered holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and a symbol of kindness, warmth, and unity.
How could we possibly forget Christmas — the most anticipated, heartfelt, and family-oriented holiday in the United States? It’s an entire season, filled with weeks of preparation, twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon and ginger, cozy movies, festive music, and one powerful message: “Be kind.”
Even those who aren’t particularly religious eagerly await this time of year. For many Americans, Christmas holds more emotional weight than New Year’s, because it’s about family, traditions, faith, and home.
How Americans prepare for Christmas:
- Decorations everywhere
Streets shine with lights, inflatable Santas and reindeer fill front yards. Every home has a Christmas tree, wreaths on the doors, stockings in the windows, and fairy lights everywhere. - Gifts — not the point, but still important
Presents are tucked under the tree, kids write letters to Santa, but the emphasis is on thoughtfulness, not price tags. There’s a true sense of wonder in the air. - Holiday classics on screens and speakers
Home Alone, The Grinch, Miracle on 34th Street, jazzy Christmas tunes, and Mariah Carey playing non-stop. - Baking traditions
Gingerbread cookies, Christmas punch, hot cocoa with marshmallows, pies — this isn’t just food, it’s family magic.
What people do on Christmas:
- Put up the Christmas tree (often a real one).
- Attend Christmas Eve church services.
- Share a family dinner on the evening of December 24.
- Exchange gifts on the morning of December 25.
Holidays are a significant part of American culture. By learning which dates people hold dear, you gain a deeper understanding of their values and mindset.
At American Butler, we’re happy to share not just the theory — but the experience itself. We invite you to celebrate any of these holidays right here in the U.S.! With years of expertise in organizing leisure and lifestyle experiences in America, we’ll make sure all your wishes are considered — while preserving the authentic spirit of each celebration.
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