Holidays are a great way to bring families and friends together, but they can also be a pain because there are so many of them. Especially in the United States, where numerous religious and cultural holidays exist, finding a balance between what is acceptable and what is desirable is difficult.
However, finding that balance isn’t something that needs to be considered. Instead, it’s much better to focus on the positive things that you can celebrate instead of trying to avoid the holidays altogether. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy your loved ones and the festivities without worrying about whether your actions are appropriate or not. For example, if you’re Catholic and Black, it would be perfectly acceptable for you to celebrate Christmas, yet incredibly undesirable for you to celebrate Boxing Day. Similarly, you might want to skip Thanksgiving if you’re Jewish, yet you’d probably want to go ahead and celebrate Turkey Day. There are six holidays that you can celebrate at SpeedWeekend, and we’ll discuss what they are and why you should recognize them.
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is, of course, the last day of the year and is often considered to be the start of a new year. It follows immediately after the end of the year and is generally associated with parties and festivities. Many people will be turning over the new year and looking to make the best of it, and you can join them by partying with family and friends or going out to eat with coworkers. But, while you’re partying, it’s also a good idea to make some resolutions for the coming year. Resolutions are good; they provide inspiration and a clear focus for the new year. They can also be a good way to evaluate your progress in previous years and determine what needs to be changed moving forward. Resolutions can be anything from going back to school to becoming more active to losing weight. Whatever motivates you, there’s a resolution that can help you achieve it.
Jan 6: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a national holiday that celebrates the life and work of the civil rights pioneer. On this day, we remember the important contributions that Dr. King made, not just to the African-American community, but to all Americans. It was on January 6, 1968 that Dr. King was assassinated. Since that time, January has been declared a national mourning period and all federal buildings are constructed in the shape of a coffin. Dr. King’s dream of an America free of racial inequality and his dedication to peaceful protest live on today.
Feb 12: Presidents’ Day
Also known as Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday that celebrates the lives and times of the United States’ first ten presidents. It is dedicated to the memory of George Washington, whose birthday is observed on the third Monday in February. Like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this holiday has also become somewhat of a commercialized event. However, it is still used as a day to celebrate national heroes as well as honor important historical figures and events. As with the previous holiday, a lot of people will be putting in extra hours on this day, as they’ll want to avoid any activities that might be considered work-related. However, if you have to travel for work, you could consider taking off a day or two.
Mar 15: Good Friday
Good Friday is, as the name suggests, the Friday before Easter and is often referred to as the ‘Sad Day’ in some regions. In the United States and Canada, it’s also referred to as Black Friday, which is when retailers offer incredible deals to make up for the lost sales during the previous five days. In many cases, this involves giving discounts and providing special deals to ensure that customers will come back, and hopefully, buy more products. It comes as no surprise that this day is often linked to shopping as, historically, work has largely been considered to be a means to an end rather than a desired goal in and of itself. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in the number of people who want to be employed, who want to stay at home, and who want to avoid retail therapy altogether. If this is you, then you might want to consider finding a different means of spending your free time.
Apr 30: Easter Sunday
Easter is, of course, one of the most important holidays of the year. It is a period of celebration that starts on Easter Sunday and ends on Easter Monday, which is when Easter falls on a Monday this year. It is, in essence, a combination of the words ‘Easter’ and ‘Spring’, as the weather begins to warm and the eggs become easy to find. This is a time when people get to spend with their families and friends, and it’s widely celebrated both across the pond and in the United States. The holiday also marks the end of the Easter season, which itself is a time of preparation and cleaning. If you’re looking for a religious holiday that focuses on family and friends, food, and fun, then this is certainly the holiday for you.
May 1: Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a holiday that is designed to honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. military. It is commonly considered to be the unofficial start of summer, as people begin to dust off their barbecues and look forward to spending more time outdoors. It is often said that there are worse things in life than getting a parking ticket on Memorial Day, as you’ll never get a discount for it. Unfortunately, parking officers are expected to work on Memorial Day, so if you get a ticket, you’ll have to pay it. If you’re looking to make the most out of the warm summer months, then this is the holiday for you.
Jun 6: Independence Day
Independence Day marks the official start of summer in the United States. It is, as the name suggests, a day to celebrate the country’s independence from Great Britain. It is a national holiday but is not generally observed specifically to celebrate the Fourth of July. Instead, it’s a day that marks the beginning of the end of the school year and is often associated with gatherings and parties. In 1777, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain and, since that time, July 4 has been a day to celebrate this important milestone in American history. It’s likely that some of the celebrations for Independence Day will take place at work as, for the most part, people are looking to make the most of the warm summer months. Traveling for work during the summer is almost unavoidable, so you might want to consider making the most of these last few days of June once you return home.
Jul 4: Fourth of July
July 4 is, as previously stated, the official start of summer in the United States. It is also the day that we celebrate our country’s independence. On this day, we honor those who have fought for American independence and those who continue to protect it today. It is frequently observed as a day of celebration, with parades, fireworks, and plenty of barbeques. However, it can also be a day of mourning, as in 1776, we lost our freedom and had to wait until July 4, 1865 to restore it. If you’re looking for an excuse to party, this is the holiday for you. It might also be a good idea to go a little overboard and order some lobster for everyone.
Aug 10: Labor Day
Labor Day is, indeed, the end of summer and is often considered to be the start of school. It is a day that many American workers get to enjoy a long, well-deserved break after months of working hard. It is a holiday that focuses on the working class in America, as many believe that, historically, workers have not enjoyed the same rights as those who serve in business. However, because of courageous men and women who have fought for equal pay and, in some cases, even lower wages, we have made some progress and, hopefully, will continue to do so.
Sep 12: Columbus Day
Another federal holiday that relates to the early explorers of North America is Columbus Day. It was on September 5, 1492 that Christopher Columbus discovered America. Since that time, September 12 has been recognized as Columbus Day, with the first Sunday in October now being referred to as “Early Columbus Day” to distinguish it from the rest of the month. Like the other holidays discussed so far, Columbus Day is a day to celebrate both American history and those who helped build this country. It is also worth noting that October 12 is, effectively, the last day of summer and the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. If you’re looking for an excuse to celebrate, this is the holiday for you.