Federal Holidays and Traditions | HISTORY Observances & Traditions From religious and patriotic holidays to celebrations of ethnic pride, explore the history of Easter, New Year's Day, Veterans Day and more annual observances, plus traditions and rituals that take place all year long. Featured Overview History Shorts: Earth Day's Environmental Origins Environmental issues have long faced our planet, but what did it finally take to set aside a day just for Earth? 1:03m watch Illustration by Eduardo Ramón Trejo. Photos from Getty Images. Featured Overview History Shorts: Earth Day's Environmental Origins Environmental issues have long faced our planet, but what did it finally take to set aside a day just for Earth? 1:03m watch Start Here Native American Heritage Month Native American Heritage Month is a federal observance held each November to honor American Indians and Alaska Natives. Why Do We Have Daylight Saving Time? The idea dates back to 1895—and has been controversial ever since. Veterans Day 2026 The Veterans Day holiday honors military veterans on November 11. Winter Solstice The winter solstice is the day of the year with the fewest hours of daylight. Humans may have celebrated the winter solstice as far back as the Stone Age. Chinese New Year Chinese New Year in San Francisco New Year's celebrations in China are thousands of years old, but across the Pacific, the holiday took on a life of its own. 1:00m watch 3 Holidays Honoring U.S. Military Personnel Veterans Day Veterans Day is dedicated to American veterans of all wars. Celebrated annually on November 11 (the same day in 1918 an armistice was reached between Allied nations and Germany in World War I), Veterans Day (initially called Armistice Day) became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. Memorial Day Observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became a federal holiday in 1971. Armed Forces Day Celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May, Armed Forces Day thanks those currently serving in the military for their service. It was created in 1949 by then-Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. Explore All Related Topics AllArticlesVideos Observances & Traditions New Year’sVeterans DayHanukkahMemorial DayWomen’s History Month + 15 moreSee All Related Subtopics Samhain Samhain is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. How the Civil Rights Movement Revived Juneteenth Celebrations A century after the first observances, Juneteenth faced the possibility of becoming a forgotten tradition. 7 Juneteenth Foods and Traditions Eating red foods and promoting activism on Juneteenth pay tribute to the liberation of America’s formerly enslaved people. What Is Flag Day? Discover the history of the annual holiday and check out 13 facts about the American flag and how to properly display it. Advertisement Why Americans Once Held Separate Fourth of July Celebrations Competing viewpoints over the direction of the nascent republic manifested in partisan Independence Day festivities in the 1790s. Fourth of July – Independence Day The Fourth of July has been a cause for celebration since 1776. How Religion Shaped the Earliest Father’s Day Celebrations Long before church services helped introduce Father’s Day to the American public, Catholics were observing St. Joseph’s Day. Father’s Day 2026 Americans have been honoring their dads since the early 20th century. Advertisement Advertisement Why Black New Yorkers Once Celebrated the Fifth of July Observance of this bygone tradition from the 19th century combined celebration and protest. Why Do We Celebrate July 4 With Fireworks? The Independence Day tradition dates nearly as far back as the country's beginning and was proposed by one of the Founding Fathers. How White Wedding Dresses Became a Western Tradition Before the mid-19th century, Western weddings were often a colorful affair. Two Presidents Died on the Same July 4: Coincidence or Something More? On July 4, 1826, two prominent presidents, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, took their final breaths within hours of each other. Some have wondered if it was somehow planned. Advertisement The Man Who Inspired Father’s Day Was a Single Dad and a Civil War Vet William Jackson Smart was a twice-married, twice-widowed father of 14 children. Father’s Day: 5 Surprising Facts About the Holiday Americans have been celebrating fatherhood since the early 20th century, but it took decades for Father’s Day to become a national holiday. Observances & TraditionsWhy Red Foods Are Popular on Juneteenth Though recently made a federal holiday, Juneteenth celebrations are steeped in traditions, one being the consumption of red food and beverages. Red delicacies are eaten on Juneteenth to symbolize sacrifice, transition and power. When Is the Islamic New Year, and What Is Its Significance? For Muslims, the new year preserves a foundational moment of religious history. Load more Advertisement