- Welcome LetterMaintaining your Legal StatusGeneral Health and Safety InformationStudent EmploymentTravel Outside the U.S.Social Security NumberTaxesTransportationMoney & BankingCommunicationHousingUtility ServicesEntertainmentShopping & DinningReligionAmerican Culture & Culture ShockUnited States HolidaysCurrency and Temperature ConversionsAcademic & Additional Resources
- United States Holidays
As a nation, the United States celebrates a number of official holidays. The following holidays are “Federal Holidays” on which many places of business-- such as banks and stores— are closed, including university offices.
July 4 Independence Day (Classes are still in session)
September 5 Labor Day
October 10 Columbus Day
November 11 Veterans’ Day
November 24 Thanksgiving Day
December 25 Christmas Day
January 1 New Year’s Day
January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20 Presidents’ Day
May 28 Memorial Day
Daylight Savings Time
Most places in the United States observe “Daylight Savings Time”. In the spring, all clocks are moved forward one hour, and in the fall they are moved back again. The historical purpose of this practice was to give more daylight time to agriculture workers in the summer. Nowadays, Americans find that they just enjoy more daylight hours for summer recreational activities!
November 6, 2011: Move your clocks forward one hour.
March 11, 2012: Move your clocks back one hour.
Each year Daylight Savings Time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.