Name three national U.S. holidays.

New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1 and marks the start of a new calendar year. It’s a federal holiday, so many government offices, schools, and businesses close. People often celebrate with gatherings, fireworks, and New Year’s resolutions.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday that honors Dr. King’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and his work for equal rights. It is observed on the third Monday in January, close to his birthday, and many people use the day for community service.

Presidents Day is a federal holiday that honors U.S. presidents, especially George Washington. It is celebrated on the third Monday in February, and many schools, banks, and government offices close that day.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in late May. It honors Americans who died while serving in the U.S. military, and many people mark it with ceremonies, visiting cemeteries, or flying the flag at half-staff. It is also seen as the start of summer for many families.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday on June 19. It remembers the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free, after the Civil War. It became a national holiday in 2021.

Independence Day is celebrated on July 4. It marks the day in 1776 when the United States declared independence from Great Britain, and many people celebrate with flags, parades, and fireworks.

Labor Day is a federal holiday in early September that honors the contributions of American workers. It often marks the unofficial end of summer, and many schools and businesses are closed.

Columbus Day is a federal holiday that remembers Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492 and the early history of European exploration in the Americas. It is observed on the second Monday in October, though some places celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in November that honors people who served in the U.S. military. It began after World War I and is marked by ceremonies and moments of remembrance across the country.

Thanksgiving is a federal holiday celebrated in late November. It began as a tradition of giving thanks for the harvest and is often connected to early English settlers and Native Americans. Many people mark it with a big meal, family gatherings, and parades.

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25 and marks the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christian tradition. In the United States it is a federal holiday, so many schools, banks, and government offices close and families often gather for meals and gift-giving.