Holidays are a time to take a break from the normal routine and celebrate a special occasion. American public schools celebrate all official federal holidays. On official holidays, the students are given time off from classes to celebrate with family and friends. Most American public and parochial schools observe these public holidays.

Thanksgiving Day
• The first Thanksgiving celebration dates back several centuries when a small group of Puritans prepared a meal for the Native Americans as a way of saying thanks for all their help in reaping the harvest. Since then, Americans have been celebrating Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November. Traditionally, families prepare a large meal, featuring turkey as the main course. American students have both Thanksgiving Day and the day after off to celebrate this holiday.

Memorial Day
• According to the United States government, Memorial Day honors the people killed in the American Civil War, but it has become a day on which the nation remembers those Americans killed in all wars. American families celebrate this day on the last Monday in May with backyard cookouts and other outdoor activities.

Martin Luther King Day
• Americans celebrate Martin Luther King Day every third Monday in January. It was made a federal public holiday in 1986 to commemorate the slain activist who fought for civil rights through nonviolent civil disobedience.

Columbus Day
• Declared a federal holiday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937, Columbus Day commemorates the discovery of the new world in 1492 by Christopher Columbus. Named after Columbus, the holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

Veterans Day
• Veterans Day, formerly called Armistice Day, is celebrated November 11 to honor the American soldiers who served in wars. Each year, Arlington National Cemetery holds a ceremony where the President of the United States places a wreath on the tomb of the fallen soldiers.

Christmas
• Christmas is a holiday favored by children not only for the amount of days they have off from school but because of the gifts that they receive from family and friends on this special day. Christmas is a Christian holiday designated to celebrate the birth of Christ. Although it's a Christian holiday, many non-Christian families enjoy the festivities and celebrate it as well.

Presidents Day
• Presidents Day was originally instituted to honor George Washington the first president of the United States. However, this holiday has evolved to honor all previous presidents. Presidents Day takes place on the third Monday in February.