Few Holidays Coming Up in the US

Presidents Day: Third Monday of February
Presidents Day is the common name for the United States federal holiday officially designated as George Washington birthday. On this day, many American schools use the days leading up to President Day to educate students about the history of the Presidents of the United States, specially Washington and Lincoln. Today, the February holiday has become well-known for being a day in which many stores hold sales. Some schools, which used to close for a single day for both Lincoln and Washington birthday, now often close for the entire week (beginning with the Monday holiday) as a "mid-winter recess".

Memorial Day: Last Monday of May
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who died serving the United States. It is usually observed by visiting cemeteries and memorials; placing flags and flowers on the graves of fallen heroes. The US flag is usually raised at half-staff until noon, together with the "POW/MIA Flag".

Independence Day: July 4
Also known as the Fourth of July, this holiday commemorates the adoption of the declaration of independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the kingdom of Great Britain. Commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but is often viewed as simply a summer festival, apart from its patriotic overtones.

Labor Day: First Monday of September
This holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". When the holiday was first proposed, recommendations was given as to how it should be observed and celebrated, a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. However, at present, it is celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many.

Columbus Day: Second Monday of October
It is a holiday celebrating the anniversary of Christopher Columbus arrival in the Americas, on October 21, 1942. The same event is commemorated in other countries in the Americas as Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race) in may countries in Latin America, Dia de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, Discovery Day in the Bahamas, Hispanic Day in Spain, and the newly-renamed (as of 2002) Dia de la Resistencia Indigena (Day of the Indigenous Resistencia) in Venezuela. This holiday is usually celebrated with parades.

Veterans Day: November 11
Veterans Day is an American holiday for honoring war veterans. It is celebrated on the same day as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. On this day, Veterans Day parades are usually held all over the country.

Thanksgiving Day: Last Thursday of November
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is an annual secular one-day holiday observed in Canada and the United States to celebrate being thankful. The holiday origins trace to harvest festivals that have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, and most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth of Thursday of November and, in Canada, on the second Monday in October. On this day, families usually gather together for Thanksgiving, dinner where turkey is traditionally served. Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, maize, other fall vegetables, and pumpkin pie are commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner. All of these primary dishes are actually native to the Americas or were introduced as a new food source to the people of Europe when they arrived.

Christmas Day: December 25
Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. However, these dates are merely traditional; the great majority of scholars agree that the actual birth date of Jesus is unknown. Aspects of the celebration may include gift-giving, Christmas trees, display of nativity sets, church attendance, the father Christmas/Santa Claus myth, and family gatherings.