Is Boxing Day a National Holiday in USA?
Boxing Day, celebrated on December 26th, is a public holiday in many countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and Canada. However, the question arises: Is Boxing Day a national holiday in the USA? The answer is not straightforward, as the status of Boxing Day varies from state to state.
In the United States, Boxing Day is not recognized as a federal holiday. This means that it is not a day off for federal employees, and businesses are not required to close. However, some states and localities have chosen to observe Boxing Day as a local holiday, granting employees a day off.
For instance, in New York City, Boxing Day is celebrated as a local holiday, and many businesses and schools close. Similarly, in Anchorage, Alaska, Boxing Day is observed as a holiday, and government offices and schools are closed. In these cases, the holiday is often used as an opportunity for shopping, as it falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which are major shopping days in the United States.
On the other hand, some states do not recognize Boxing Day as a holiday at all. In these cases, employees are expected to work on December 26th, and businesses remain open. This is the case in most states, including California, Texas, and Florida.
The reason for the lack of a national recognition of Boxing Day in the USA can be attributed to the country’s diverse cultural and historical background. While the holiday has its roots in the United Kingdom, it is not widely celebrated in the United States. Additionally, the United States has a long history of celebrating holidays that are unique to its own culture, such as Thanksgiving and Independence Day.
In conclusion, while Boxing Day is not a national holiday in the USA, it is observed in some states and localities. The holiday’s status varies, and it is ultimately up to individual businesses and employers to decide whether to close on December 26th.
