Holiday

{{Short description|Festive day set aside by custom or by law}}
{{About|days of observance|a leave of absence or a trip|Vacation|leave from employment|Annual leave|the holidays|Christmas and holiday season
|other uses|Holiday (disambiguation)|and|Observance (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Holiday graphic.png|thumb|Graphic showing the symbols and types (religion/secularism) of varying holidays.]]
A '''holiday''' is a day or other period of time set aside for festivals or recreation. [[Public holiday]]s are set by public authorities and vary by state or region. Religious holidays are set by religious organisations for their members and are often also observed as public holidays in religious majority countries. Some religious holidays, such as Christmas, have become [[Secularization|secularised]] by part or all of those who observe them. In addition to secularisation, many holidays have become commercialised due to the growth of industry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Schmidt |first=Leigh Eric |date=1991 |title=The Commercialization of the Calendar: American Holidays and the Culture of Consumption, 1870-1930 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2078795 |journal=The Journal of American History |volume=78 |issue=3 |pages=887–916 |doi=10.2307/2078795 |jstor=2078795 |issn=0021-8723}}</ref>

Holidays can be thematic, celebrating or commemorating particular groups, events, or ideas, or non-thematic, days of rest that do not have any particular meaning. In [[English in the Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth English]], the term can refer to any period of rest from work, such as [[vacation]]s or [[school holidays]]. In [[American English]], ''the holidays'' typically refers to the period from [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] to [[New Year's Eve|New Year's]], which contains many important holidays in American culture.

==Terminology==

The word ''holiday'' comes from the [[Old English]] word ''hāligdæg'' (''hālig'' "[[holy]]" + ''dæg'' "[[day]]").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://etymonline.com/?term=holiday|title=holiday – Origin and meaning of holiday |website=Online Etymology Dictionary |access-date=20 February 2018}}</ref> The word originally referred only to special religious days.

The word ''holiday'' has differing connotations in different regions. In the [[United States]], the word is used exclusively to refer to the nationally, religiously, or culturally observed day(s) of rest or celebration or the events themselves, whereas in the [[United Kingdom]] and other [[Commonwealth nations]], the word may refer to the period of time where leave from one's duties has been agreed upon and is used as a synonym for the US preferred ''[[vacation]]''. This time is usually set aside for rest, travel, or participation in recreational activities, with entire industries targeted to coincide with or enhance these experiences. The days of leave may not coincide with any specific customs or laws. Employers and educational institutes may designate 'holidays' themselves, which may or may not overlap nationally or culturally relevant dates, which again comes under this connotation, but it is the first implication detailed that this article is concerned with. Modern use varies geographically. In North America, it means any dedicated day or period of celebration. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, ''holiday'' is often used instead of the word ''vacation''.

==Global holidays==<!-- This section is intended as information about secular holidays celebrated on a global scale by people of multiple ethnic or religious backgrounds, or holidays with similar characteristics in different cultures. Christmas is included as a mostly secular holiday. For global religious holidays, look to the religious section below. -->

The celebration of the New Year has been a common holiday across cultures for at least four millennia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Year's |url=https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years |date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}</ref> Such holidays normally celebrate the last day of a year and the arrival of the next year in a calendar system. In modern cultures using the Gregorian calendar, the New Year's celebration spans [[New Year's Eve]] on 31 December and [[New Year's Day]] on 1 January. However, other calendar systems also have New Year's celebration, such as [[Chinese New Year]] and [[Tết|Vietnamese Tet]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crump |first=William D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cDTfCwAAQBAJ&q=global+holidays |title=Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide |date=2014-04-25 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-9545-0 |language=en}}</ref> New Year's Day is the most common public holiday, observed by all countries using the Gregorian calendar except [[Israel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Year's Day around the world in 2023 |url=https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/international-new-years-day |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Office Holidays |language=en}}</ref>

[[Christmas]] is a popular holiday globally due to the [[spread of Christianity]]. The holiday is recognised as a public holiday in many countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australasia and is celebrated by over 2 billion people.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=Christmas Day around the world |url=https://blog.officeholidays.com/christmas/christmas-day-around-the-world/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Office Holidays Blog |language=en-GB}}</ref> Although a holiday with religious origins, Christmas is often celebrated by non-Christians as a secular holiday. For example, 61% of British people celebrate Christmas in an entirely secular way.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=How Britons celebrate Christmas and Easter {{!}} YouGov |url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society/articles-reports/2020/12/29/how-britons-celebrate-christmas-and-easter |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=yougov.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref> Christmas has also become a tradition in some non-Christian countries. For many [[Japanese people]], it has become customary to buy and eat [[fried chicken]] on Christmas.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kate Springer |title=How KFC became a Christmas tradition in Japan |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/kfc-christmas-tradition-japan/index.html |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barton |first=Eric |title=Why Japan celebrates Christmas with KFC |url=https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20161216-why-japan-celebrates-christmas-with-kfc |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en}}</ref>

Recently invented holidays commemorate a range of modern social and political issues and other important topics. The United Nations publishes a list of International Days and Weeks. One such day is [[International Women's Day]] on 8 March, which celebrates women's achievements and campaigns for gender equality and women's rights.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Women's Day 2023 campaign theme: Embrace Equity |url=https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=International Women's Day |language=en}}</ref> [[Earth Day]] has been celebrated by people across the world since 1970, with 10,000 events in 2007. It is a holiday marking the dangers of environmental damage, such as [[pollution]] and the [[climate crisis]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Earth Day Timeline |url=https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/earth-day-timeline |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}</ref>

==Common secular holidays==
Other [[Secularity|secular]] holidays are observed regionally, nationally and across multi-country regions. The United Nations Calendar of Observances<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nations |first=United |title=List of International Days and Weeks |url=https://www.un.org/en/observances/list-days-weeks |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=United Nations |language=en}}</ref> dedicates decades to a specific topic, but also a complete year, month, week and days.  Holidays dedicated to an observance such as the commemoration of the ending of [[World War II]], or the [[Shoah]], can also be part of the [[Reparations (transitional justice)|reparation]] obligation as per [[UN General Assembly Resolution 60/147]] Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 16, 2005 |title=Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law |url=https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/RemedyAndReparation.aspx |access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref>

Another example of a major secular holiday is the [[Lunar New Year]], which is celebrated across East Asia and South East Asia. Many other days are marked to celebrate events or people, but are not strictly holidays as time off work is rarely given; examples include [[Arbor Day]] (originally U.S.), [[Labor Day]] (celebrated sometimes under different names and on different days in different countries), and [[Earth Day]] (22 April).

==Public holidays==
{{Main|Public holidays}}

===Substitute holidays===
If a holiday coincides with another holiday or a [[weekend]] day a substitute holiday may be recognised in lieu. In the United Kingdom the government website states that "If a bank holiday is on a weekend, a 'substitute' weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday.", and the list of bank holidays for  the year 2020 includes Monday 28 December as "[[Boxing Day]] (substitute day)", as 26 December is a Saturday.<ref name="ukbank">{{cite web |title=UK bank holidays |url=https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays |access-date=7 February 2020 |website=gov.uk}}</ref> The process of moving a holiday from a weekend day to the following Monday is known as '''Mondayisation''' in New Zealand.<ref name="smith">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Bridget |last2=Oldfield |first2=Tim |date=3 May 2013 |title=Happy holidays: the 'Mondayisation' of public holidays |url=https://www.sbmlegal.co.nz/Publications/Article.aspx?articleId=42 |access-date=7 February 2020 |publisher=SBM Legal}}</ref>

===National days===
{{See also|National day}}

National days are days of significance to a nation or nation state. National days are typically celebratory of a state's independence (e.g. [[Independence Day (United States)|4 July in the US]]), founding or unification (e.g. [[German Unity Day]]), the commemoration of a revolution (e.g. [[Bastille Day]] in France) or liberation (e.g. [[Liberation Day (Channel Islands)|9 May in the Channel Islands]]), or the feast day for a [[patron saint]] (e.g. [[Saint Patrick's Day|St Patrick's Day]] in Ireland) or ruler (e.g. 5 December in Thailand). Belgium's national day, on the 21st of July, commemorates the [[oath of office]] of [[Leopold I of Belgium|the first King of the Belgians]] (an uncle of the then-future [[Queen Victoria]]), i.e., so to say, the day Belgium became a kingdom by ending the initial [[interregnum]]. Every country other than Denmark and the United Kingdom observes a national day.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Max |date=26 February 2013 |title=A surprising map of the world's national holidays (only two countries have no national day) |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2013/02/26/a-surprising-map-of-the-worlds-national-holidays-only-two-countries-have-no-national-day/}}</ref> In the UK, constituent countries have official or unofficial national days associated with their patron saint. A [[British National Day|British national day]] has often been proposed, such as the date of the [[Acts of Union 1707]] (1 May) or the [[King's Official Birthday]], but never adopted.<ref name="BBCBD">{{cite news |date=2007-06-05 |title=Ministers proposing 'Britain Day' |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6721239.stm |accessdate=2009-07-08}}</ref>

Other days of national importance exist, such as one to celebrate the country's military or [[veteran]]s. For example, Armistice Day (11 November) is recognised in World War I Allied nations (and across [[Commonwealth of Nations|the Commonwealth]]) to memoralise those lost in the World Wars. National leaders will typically attend remembrance ceremonies at national memorial sites. Maybe surprisingly, World War II Armistice Day (and victory against [[Nazism]]) day, on 8 May, is much less celebrated.

== Religious holidays ==
Many holidays are linked to [[faith]]s and [[religion]]s (see etymology above). [[Christianity|Christian]] holidays are defined as part of the [[liturgical year]], the chief ones being [[Easter]] and [[Christmas]]. The Orthodox Christian and Western-Roman Catholic [[patronal feast day]] or "name day" are celebrated in each place's patron saint's day, according to the [[Calendar of saints]]. [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] annually commemorate "The Memorial of Jesus Christ's Death", but do not celebrate other holidays with any religious significance such as Easter, Christmas or New Year. This holds especially true for those holidays that have combined and absorbed rituals, overtones or practices from non-Christian beliefs into the celebration, as well as those holidays that distract from or replace the worship of Jehovah.<ref>Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. ''Reasoning from the Scriptures''. Watchtower, 1985, pp. 176–182</ref> In [[Islam]], the largest [[Islamic holidays|holidays]] are [[Eid al-Fitr]] (immediately after [[Ramadan]]) and [[Eid al-Adha]] (at the end of the [[Hajj]]). [[Ahmadi Muslims]] additionally celebrate [[Promised Messiah Day]], [[Promised Reformer Day]], and [[Khilafat Day]], but contrary to popular belief, neither are regarded as holidays. [[Hindu]]s, [[Jainism|Jains]] and [[Sikh]]s observe several holidays, one of the largest being [[Diwali]] (Festival of Light). [[Public holidays in Japan|Japanese holidays]] as well as few Catholic holidays contain heavy references to several different faiths and beliefs. Celtic, Norse, and [[Neopaganism|Neopagan]] holidays follow the order of the [[Wheel of the Year]]. For example, Christmas ideas like decorating trees and colors (green, red, and white) have very similar ideas to modern Wicca (a modern Pagan belief) Yule which is a lesser Sabbat of the wheel of the year. Some are closely linked to [[Swedish festivities]]. The [[Baháʼí Faith]] observes [[Baháʼí Holy Days|11 annual holidays]] on dates determined using the [[Baháʼí calendar]]. Jews have two holiday seasons: the Spring Feasts of [[Pesach]] (Passover) and [[Shavuot]] (Weeks, called [[Pentecost]] in Greek); and the Fall Feasts of [[Rosh Hashanah]] (Head of the Year), [[Yom Kippur]] (Day of Atonement), [[Sukkot]] (Tabernacles), and [[Shemini Atzeret]] (Eighth Day of Assembly).

=== Secularisation ===
Some religious holidays are also celebrated by many as secular holidays.  For example, 61% of Brits celebrate Christmas in an entirely secular way.<ref name=":1" /> 81% of non-Christian Americans also celebrate Christmas. A 2019 Gallup poll found that two-thirds of Americans still celebrate an at least somewhat religious Christmas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-20 |title=More Americans Celebrating a Secular Christmas |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/272378/americans-celebrating-secular-christmas.aspx |first1= Zach |last1=Hrynowski |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Gallup |language=en}}</ref>

The claimed over-secularisation of particular holidays has caused controversy and claims of censorship of religion or [[political correctness]]. For example, in the 1990s, [[Birmingham City Council]] promoted a series of events in the Christmas season under the brand [[Winterval]] to create a more multi-cultural atmosphere about the seasonal festivities. The [[Bishop of Birmingham]] responded to the events, saying "the secular world, which expresses respect for all, is actually embarrassed by faith. Or perhaps it is Christianity which is censored".<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK {{!}} Winterval gets frosty reception |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/210672.stm |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=BBC News |date=November 9, 1998 }}</ref> In the United States, conservative commentators have characterised the secularisation of Winter festivities as "the War on Christmas".<ref>{{cite news |last=Keck |first=Kristi |date=18 December 2009 |title=Heated Debate Again over 'War on Christmas' Claims |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/18/war.on.christmas/index.html |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref>

== Unofficial holidays ==
{{See also|List of minor secular observances}}
These are holidays that are not traditionally marked on calendars. These holidays are celebrated by various groups and individuals. Some promote a cause, others recognize historical events not officially recognized, and others are "funny" holidays celebrated with humorous intent. For example, [[Monkey Day]] is celebrated on December 14, [[International Talk Like a Pirate Day]] is observed on September 19, and [[Blasphemy Day]] is held on September 30. Other examples are [[April Fools' Day]] on April 1 and [[World No Tobacco Day]] on May 31. Various community organizers and marketers promote odd [[social media holiday]]s.

==Commercialism==
In the United States, holidays have been drawn into a culture of [[Consumption (economics)|consumption]] since the late 19th century. Many civic, religious and folk festivals have been [[Commercialization|commercialised]]. As such, traditions have been reshaped to serve the needs of industry. Leigh Eric Schmidt argues that the growth of consumption culture allowed the growth of holidays as an opportunity for increased public consumption and the orderly timing of it. Thus, after the Civil War, as department stores became the spatial expression of [[commercialism]], holidays became the temporal expression of it.<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Holidays}}
*[[Christmas and holiday season]]
*[[Holiday heart syndrome]]
*[[Public holiday]]
*[[List of holidays by country]]
*[[Commemoration (Anglicanism)]]
*[[Tribute]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{curlie|Society/Holidays|Holidays}}

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