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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Holiday Quiz: Can You Name All US Public Holidays?

Quick, free holiday trivia to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sarah J. DonovanUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration on coral background featuring US holiday icons quiz on dates history traditions

Use this US public holidays quiz to see how many federal holidays you can name, when they fall, and what they honor. Along the way, compare your knowledge with some US trivia, try a patriotic quiz for more context, or brush up on leaders tied to observances like Presidents Day with a us presidents quiz.

Which date is Independence Day in the United States?
June 14
October 12
July 4
November 11
Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, marking the birth of American independence. It is celebrated annually with fireworks, parades, and barbecues across the United States. The date has been a federal holiday since 1870.
Which holiday is celebrated on the third Monday of January?
Presidents' Day
Labor Day
Memorial Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the civil rights leader's birthday and was signed into law in 1983 to be observed on the third Monday of January each year. It became a federal holiday in 1986. Observances include community service events and educational programs.
On what day is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
Fourth Thursday in November
Last Friday in November
Third Thursday in November
Second Tuesday in November
Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November each year, as established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and later fixed by federal law in 1941. Families across the country gather for a traditional meal that often includes turkey, stuffing, and pie. Parades and football games have also become Thanksgiving staples.
Which holiday honors workers and is celebrated on the first Monday of September?
Juneteenth
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Columbus Day
Labor Day, observed on the first Monday in September, celebrates the achievements and contributions of American workers and the labor movement. It became a federal holiday in 1894 following national labor protests. Traditions include parades, picnics, and the unofficial end of summer.
Which holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and is recognized as a federal holiday since 2021?
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Freedom Day
Emancipation Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day marks the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865, and has been celebrated regionally since then. It became the 11th federal holiday when President Biden signed it into law in 2021. Celebrations include parades, educational events, and family gatherings.
Presidents' Day originally celebrated whose birthday?
George Washington
Theodore Roosevelt
Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson
Presidents' Day began as a celebration of George Washington's birthday on February 22, established by Congress in 1879. It was later moved to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971. It now honors all U.S. presidents but retains its original connection to Washington.
Which U.S. holiday is observed on the last Monday of May?
Labor Day
Memorial Day
Columbus Day
Presidents' Day
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May and honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It originated after the Civil War as Decoration Day in 1868, when flowers were placed on soldiers' graves. The Monday observance began in 1971 to create a three-day weekend.
Which holiday marks the adoption of the U.S. Constitution?
Constitution Day
Flag Day
Independence Day
Patriot Day
Constitution Day, observed on September 17, commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. It became a federal observance in 2005 and requires educational programs in public schools and federal agencies. The day recognizes the foundation of American government.
Which holiday commemorates the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks?
Veterans Day
Patriot Day
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Patriot Day, observed on September 11, honors those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks in 2001. It was established by Congress in 2002 and is marked by ceremonies, moments of silence, and the display of flags at half-staff. It is not a federal public holiday but is widely recognized.
On which date is Flag Day celebrated each year?
July 4
September 17
June 14
May 1
Flag Day, observed on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Continental Congress in 1777. The day became an official observance in 1949, though celebrations began earlier at the state and local level. Events include flag-raising ceremonies and educational programs.
Which holiday was first celebrated in 1868 to honor Union soldiers killed in the Civil War?
Memorial Day
Armed Forces Day
Veterans Day
Independence Day
Memorial Day originally began as Decoration Day in 1868 when General John A. Logan called for a nationwide day to decorate soldiers' graves. It honored Union soldiers killed during the Civil War. The holiday evolved into Memorial Day and was made a federal holiday in 1971.
Which holiday moved in 1971 to always fall on the third Monday in February?
Presidents' Day
Lincoln's Birthday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Washington's Birthday
Washington's Birthday was moved to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 to provide more three-day weekends. Although commonly called Presidents' Day, its legal name remains Washington's Birthday. The change standardized holiday observance dates.
Which U.S. holiday commemorates the end of hostilities in World War I and was first observed in 1919?
Veterans Appreciation Day
Armed Forces Day
Veterans Day
Memorial Day
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, first observed on November 11, 1919, to mark the end of World War I hostilities. In 1954, it was renamed to honor all U.S. military veterans. It remains a federal holiday on November 11 each year.
Which U.S. public holiday is the only one designated by the Continental Congress in 1782?
Independence Day
Thanksgiving
Flag Day
Constitution Day
Thanksgiving was proclaimed by the Continental Congress on October 18, 1782, to celebrate the British evacuation of New York during the Revolutionary War. It is the only holiday officially designated by Congress before the U.S. Constitution was adopted. Annual presidential proclamations later standardized its date.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key US Public Holidays -

    Recall the names and official dates of major federal holidays and lesser-known observances celebrated in the United States.

  2. Explain Historical Origins -

    Summarize the history and origin stories behind each public holiday, from Independence Day to Juneteenth.

  3. Analyze Holiday Traditions -

    Describe common customs and cultural practices associated with various American holidays.

  4. Differentiate Federal and State Observances -

    Distinguish between nationwide public holidays and state-specific celebrations within the US public holidays quiz context.

  5. Apply Trivia Knowledge -

    Use acquired facts to answer challenging holiday trivia questions and improve your holidays trivia skills.

  6. Evaluate Lesser-Known Celebrations -

    Assess the significance and recognition of more obscure federal and commemorative holidays in American history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Federal Holiday Framework -

    The U.S. observes 11 federal holidays established under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, recognized by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM.gov). These define paid days off for federal employees and set a baseline for state and private sector observances. Knowing this list is essential for any holidays trivia challenge.

  2. Historical Origins and Proclamations -

    Many holidays trace back to presidential proclamations or acts of Congress - for instance, Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation (National Archives). George Washington's Birthday became a federal holiday in 1879, later merged into Presidents' Day via the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1968). Understanding who declared each holiday helps in mastering public holiday trivia.

  3. Floating-Date Holiday Formula -

    Several holidays fall on "nth Mondays," such as Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and Labor Day (first Monday in September), as defined by the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Use the mnemonic "Remember Last, Labor First" to recall Memorial versus Labor Day. Calculating the date as Month + ((n - 1)*7 days) + adjustment for weekday makes these floaters easy in trivia rounds.

  4. Signature Traditions and Celebrations -

    Public holiday trivia often focuses on iconic customs: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 (Library of Congress), while July 4 fireworks trace to 1777 in Philadelphia (Independence Hall records). Many holidays feature annual rituals - parades, flag ceremonies, service projects - that vary regionally yet share a national theme. Recognizing these hallmark events deepens your cultural insight and quiz performance.

  5. Emerging and State-Level Observances -

    Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 following Senate approval (Congress.gov) to commemorate the end of slavery. Other dates like Cesar Chavez Day (CA, March 31) or Emancipation Day (DC, April 16) highlight how states add local public holiday trivia twists. Tracking these newer or state-specific observances gives you an edge on lesser-known quiz questions.

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