Public holiday
A legally established non-working day observed by a nation.
A public holiday, also known by terms such as national, federal, statutory, bank, or legal holiday, is a day established by law and typically observed as a non-working day. Such holidays are formally declared by a legislature, parliament, congress, or sovereign through statute, edict, or decree, and often result in the closure of official government institutions, including court systems. In federal states, constituent states or provinces may have their own distinct holidays; for instance, in the United States, holidays set by the federal government are specifically called federal holidays. These days can also affect legal procedures, such as the calculation of statute of limitations, and may be used in parenting schedules for non-custodial parents. The term "civic holiday" is sometimes used to distinguish secular observances from religious ones, as seen in certain Eastern Orthodox countries where New Year’s Day is celebrated on different calendar dates.
In the United Kingdom, bank holidays are public holidays defined by statute, while Good Friday and Christmas Day are considered common law holidays, having been observed by custom for centuries. Bank holidays were introduced in the late 19th century to extend labour rights to additional days beyond these traditional ones. In Ireland, the term "bank holiday" is used colloquially for public holidays.
The major social function of public holidays is the coordination of leisure time, which brings both costs, such as congestion and overcrowding, and benefits, like easier social gatherings. They play a key role in nation building, serving as annual opportunities for governments to reinforce national status and foster unity, social cohesion, and popular identification. Scholars view them as sites of memory that preserve specific representations of historical events and national heroes. Some public holidays are controversial; for example, Columbus Day in the United States and Australia Day have sparked protests, with critics viewing them as symbols of oppression, leading some jurisdictions to rename or move associated celebrations.
- definition
- A non-working day established by law
- types
- Civic holiday, bank holiday, common law holiday
- highest_count
- Nepal with 36 days a year
- second_highest
- India with 21 national holidays
- common_variation
- May differ by country, year, or subnational jurisdiction
- controversial_examples
- Columbus Day and Australia Day
Lore & Background
Public holidays are established by law and can be categorized into several types. A civic holiday, also called a civil holiday or work holiday, is legally recognized in a particular sovereign state or subdivision, such as a state or province. In federal states, constituent states may have different holidays; for example, in the United States, holidays established by the federal government are called federal holidays. Such days may or may not affect the statute of limitations in legal actions and are often used in parenting schedules for non-custodial parents. The term can also distinguish secular holidays from religious ones, such as New Year's Day celebrated on different dates in some Eastern Orthodox countries.
Reader's Guide
Public holidays play a significant role in nation building and social coordination. They provide annual opportunities for national governments to reinforce the status of the nation and foster national unity, social cohesion, and popular identification. Sabine Marschall argues that public holidays can be regarded as sites of memory, preserving particular representations of historical events and national heroes. The coordination of leisure time through public holidays has both costs, such as congestion and overcrowding, and benefits, such as making it easier for people to arrange social occasions. Some public holidays are controversial; for instance, Columbus Day in the United States has led to protests and calls for change, with some states adopting Indigenous People's Day instead. Similarly, Australia Day has drawn protests from those who see it as a symbol of European oppression, leading to the nickname 'Invasion Day' and the relocation of some associated events.
Did You Know?
- Nepal has the highest number of public holidays with 36 days a year, though it observes a six-day working week.
- In the United States, there is no national law requiring employers to pay employees who do not work on public holidays, except in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
- In New Zealand, workers on a public holiday are paid 1.5 times their regular rate and given an alternate day off.
- Australia Day has been nicknamed 'Invasion Day' due to protests over its commemoration of the First Fleet's arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a public holiday?
A public holiday is a day officially designated by law as a non-working day, typically established through a statute, edict, or decree issued by a legislature, parliament, congress, or sovereign. It goes by many names—national holiday, federal holiday, statutory holiday, bank holiday, or legal holiday—depending on the country and context.
Which country has the most public holidays?
Nepal tops the list with 36 public holidays per year, followed closely by India at 21 national holidays. The exact count varies widely from one nation to another and can even shift year to year or across subnational jurisdictions within a single country.
Who has the authority to create or cancel a public holiday?
Public holidays are generally declared by a governing body such as a legislature, parliament, congress, or a sovereign acting through statute, edict, or decree. Because of this legal origin, they carry the force of law and can trigger the closure of official institutions like courts and government offices.
What purpose do public holidays serve beyond just a day off?
They coordinate shared leisure time, reinforce a sense of national unity, and function as sites of collective memory that keep particular historical events and national heroes in public consciousness. In short, they blend practical rest with cultural and political significance.
Are there public holidays that spark controversy?
Yes—examples like Columbus Day and Australia Day regularly draw criticism because the events or figures they commemorate are viewed by some groups as celebrating colonialism or dispossession. These debates highlight how a holiday's meaning can be contested even when its legal status is settled.
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