Many U.S. federal holidays fall on a Monday, so it can look as if the calendar was designed around long weekends. In part, it was. Federal law sets several holidays on Mondays, while others move to Monday when their fixed date falls on a Sunday. This article explains both rules.
1. Why Monday Holidays Are So Common
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act explains three of the five holidays that now have Monday dates. Congress passed the law in 1968, and its changes took effect in 1971. It set the current Monday observances for Washington’s Birthday and Memorial Day and added Columbus Day to the federal calendar.
Labor Day was already observed on a Monday. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was added later. The 1968 law also moved Veterans Day to Monday for several years, but Congress later returned it to November 11.
The Congressional Research Service provides a fuller history of these changes.
Congress wanted a more predictable pattern of three-day weekends. Supporters said this would give families more time together and make travel easier. They also expected economic benefits from tourism and retail activity.
2. Which Federal Holidays Always Fall on Monday
| Federal Holiday | Current Monday Rule | How It Reached Monday |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday in January | Added by a later federal law |
| Washington’s Birthday | Third Monday in February | Moved by the 1968 act |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | Moved by the 1968 act |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | Established on Monday before the 1968 act |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October | Added to the federal calendar by the 1968 act |
The current schedule appears in 5 U.S.C. § 6103.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday in January. It honors Dr. King’s life and civil rights work.
Washington’s Birthday
The federal holiday is officially called Washington’s Birthday. It is observed on the third Monday in February, although many people call it Presidents Day.
Memorial Day
Federal law places Memorial Day on the last Monday in May. The holiday honors U.S. service members who died while serving in the military.
Labor Day
Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September. It recognizes the contributions of American workers.
Columbus Day
For federal purposes, Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday in October. Some states and cities use a different name or do not observe it.
3. What Happens When a Fixed-Date Holiday Falls on a Weekend
Not every federal holiday is scheduled for a Monday. New Year’s Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas all use fixed calendar dates. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday.
For most federal employees, a fixed-date holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. That is why a Monday may sometimes be a day off even when the holiday itself has a fixed date.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management explains how the observed day changes for different federal work schedules.
4. A Federal Holiday Does Not Mean Every Business Closes
Federal holidays mainly set schedules and pay rules for federal offices and employees. States, schools, banks, delivery carriers, and private employers may follow different calendars. Federal law generally does not require a private business to close or provide paid holiday leave. State law, an employment contract, or a collective bargaining agreement may create additional requirements.
The U.S. Department of Labor explains that federal law generally does not require pay for time not worked on a holiday.
If you are ordering custom challenge coins or military pins for a Memorial Day or Veterans Day event, confirm the event date first. The federal observance date and the actual ceremony date may be different.
Before planning a visit or shipment, check the schedule of the actual organization. The federal calendar is useful, but it is not a complete closure list.
5. Conclusion
Monday holidays in the United States come from several federal laws. Three current Monday dates trace to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Labor Day came earlier, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day came later. A separate observance rule moves a fixed-date holiday to Monday when it falls on Sunday for most federal employees. Other offices and businesses follow their own calendars.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Presidents Day the Official Federal Name?
The federal holiday is officially Washington’s Birthday, though Presidents Day is widely used.
Do All U.S. Public Holidays Fall on Monday?
No. Many federal holidays have a fixed date, and Thanksgiving occurs on Thursday.
Do Private Businesses Have To Close on Federal Holidays?
No. Each private employer decides which holidays it closes for and whether paid leave is offered.
How Many U.S. Federal Holidays Always Fall on Monday?
Five: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day.
Did the Uniform Monday Holiday Act Create Every Monday Holiday?
No. It set the current Monday dates for Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day. Labor Day was already a Monday holiday, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day was added later.
