Florida Guide > Planning your Trip
Public Holidays in 2009
If you visit Florida, you will find that there are several public holidays to enjoy. However, these are not national holidays, where all employees receive a day off, and shops and businesses are closed, as it is at the discretion of each state to decide on their own official holiday schedules.
Having said that, most of the state and local governments do observe the annual Federal holidays. These holidays are normally on Mondays, except for New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Unlike the UK, most places are open, and so you will usually have no problem shopping or finding a restaurant. Indeed, there are normally extra special sales in the shops to celebrate these public holidays. The exception to this is Christmas Day, which is the ONLY day of the year that Wal-Mart is closed, and Thanksgiving Day, when some shops may also close.
Here is a list of 2009 Public Holidays in the USA
New Year’s Day January 1st 2009
Martin Luther King’s Birthday Monday January 19th 2009 (third Monday in January)
This honours the civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr, who was born on January 15th, 1929.
Washington’s Birthday – President’s Day Monday February 16th 2009 (third Monday in February)
In 1879, Washington’s birthday was declared a federal holiday by Act of Congress. The date was shifted in 1968 so that it became the third Monday in February. Whilst many people refer to this as ‘President’s Day, and consider it a day to honour all American Presidents, it has never been officially designated as such.
Memorial DayMonday May 25th 2009 (last Monday in May).
This day honours the nation’s war dead from the Civil War onwards.
Independence Day July 4th This celebrates the Declaration of Independence, and is often called the Fourth of July.
Labor Day Monday September 7th 2009 (first Monday in September).
This celebrates the achievements of workers and the labour movement.
Columbus Day Monday October 12th 2009 (second Monday in September).
This day honours Christopher Columbus, who is traditionally recognized as the discoverer of the Americas.
Veteran’s Day Wednesday November 11th 2009
This day honours all veterans of the United States armed forces, and traditionally a moment of silence is observed at 11 AM, to remember all those killed in war. It also commemorates the 1918 armistice, which began at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh months.
Thanksgiving Day Thursday November 26th 2009 (fourth Thursday in November).
This day is when Americans give thanks for the autumn harvest, and of course, it is traditional to eat a turkey dinner.
Christmas DaySunday, December 25th 2009
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