What Are Federal Holidays and How They Work
Federal holidays in the United States are days designated by law as paid holidays for federal employees and often adopted by state governments, schools, and many businesses. They are established by Congress for federal institutions and do not automatically require private employers to close. When a holiday falls on a weekend, observance rules typically move the observed day to the nearest weekday so government operations remain efficient. This article explains the federal holidays in 2018, how the rules around Sunday observance and make-up days work, and what each holiday is meant to recognize.
Official Federal Holidays in 2018
In 2018, ten federal holidays were observed across the calendar. New Year’s Day and Independence Day followed the fixed calendar date, while others, such as Presidents’ Day, are set by rules like the third Monday in February. When a holiday landed on a Sunday in 2018, federal institutions and many businesses observed the holiday on the adjacent Friday or Monday. The table below summarizes each holiday with its legal date and the observed date for federal employees in 2018.
| Holiday | Legal Date in 2018 | Observed Federal Holiday in 2018 | Purpose or Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 (Monday) | January 1 | Start of the calendar year |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January | January 15 | Civil rights leader |
| Washington’s Birthday | Third Monday in February | February 19 | First U.S. president |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | May 28 | Remember service members who died |
| Independence Day | July 4 (Thursday) | July 4 | Adoption of the Declaration of Independence |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | September 3 | Workers and the labor movement |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October | October 8 | European explorer’s 1492 voyage |
| Veterans Day | November 11 (Saturday) | November 9 (Friday) | Honor military veterans |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November | November 22 | Harvest and gratitude tradition |
| Christmas Day | December 25 (Monday) | December 25 | Celebration of Christmas |
How Observance Rules Work When Holidays Fall on Weekends
Federal guidelines specify that if a holiday falls on Sunday, it is generally observed on the following Monday. If it falls on Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. These rules keep the federal workforce schedule consistent while giving employees a three-day weekend when practical. In 2018, Veterans Day serves as a clear example: the legal holiday was Saturday, November 11, so federal employees observed it on Friday, November 9. Independence Day and Thanksgiving both fell on weekday dates, so they were observed on their actual calendar days.
Uniquely Fixed Holidays Versus Moving Holidays
Some federal holidays are tied to a specific calendar date, while others are defined by a day of the week within a month. New Year’s Day and Independence Day follow the date, making them stable in the calendar even though the weekday shifts. In contrast, holidays like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are determined by rules such as “Monday of a given week,” which means their exact date changes each year. Understanding these patterns helps with planning calendars, closures, and long-term scheduling beyond just 2018.
State and Private Sector Observance
While federal law establishes these holidays for federal employees, states and private employers may adopt additional holidays or follow slightly different rules. Many states recognize state holidays that align with federal ones, such as Election Day in some regions, while others add days like Good Friday. Private companies often mirror federal holidays for scheduling and benefits purposes, but they are not legally required to do so. Schools, banks, and retail businesses may also choose alternative closures, which can vary widely by region and employer.
Attendance Expectations and Leave Options
For federal employees, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are non-work days with regular pay, while others may require use of annual leave if work is performed. Employees needing time off around federal holidays should review their agency’s leave policies and request time off through official channels well in advance. Supervisors and human resources offices typically provide notices each year that outline exact schedules, alternative work schedules, and how to handle holidays that fall on weekends.
Practical Tips for Planning Around Federal Holidays
- Check the official published federal holiday calendar for the year, because observed days can shift when holidays fall on weekends.
- Confirm whether your state or employer follows federal observance or has additional local holidays.
- Remember that federal holidays primarily guarantee pay and closure for federal employees; private businesses set their own policies.
- Plan travel and service interruptions early, as post offices, courts, and many offices are closed on observed holidays.
- Use recurring calendar rules to anticipate moving holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day without needing to look up the date each year.
2018 Summary and Key Takeaway Dates
The 2018 federal holiday schedule shows how fixed and moving-date holidays align across the year, with weekend observance adjustments for Veterans Day. Keeping the underlying rules in mind makes it easier to anticipate future holiday patterns and to plan for closures, staffing, and time off. The key takeaways are the ten federal holidays, the general rule to observe on adjacent weekdays when they land on weekends, and the distinction between federal rights and private or state practices.