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Holidays are an integral part of every culture and are derived from amalgamation of two words 'Holy' and 'Days'. Synonymous with celebration, holidays in the USA are not religious, but are mostly commemorative.
In America there are ten holidays which have been designated federal holidays under USC Title 5 Section 6103 of American law. As the law defines these holidays, they are also referred to as legal holidays. Though all the states observe these holidays, they also have jurisdiction to formulate their own state holidays.
The ten holidays formulated by the American law include New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
The birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is celebrated to honor the leader who preached non-violence and fought against segregation. Memorial Day is observed to honor the brave soldiers who died during various wars. Independence Day marks the birth of the United States as a free and independent nation.
Labor Day is always observed on the first Monday of September and has been a federal holiday since 1894, to honor the nation's working people. Marked by parades and processions, it is observed with great zest throughout the nation. Columbus Day is celebrated to commemorate Italian navigator Christopher Columbus' landing in the New World on October 12, 1492, and is chiefly celebrated in New York.
Veterans Day, was originally known as Armistice Day, honors Americans who served during World War I. Thanksgiving Day is observed on the fourth Thursday in November, but is generally celebrated on the following Friday as well to make a four-day weekend. During this holiday, Americans spend time with family and friends. Thanksgiving symbolizes the joyous family reunion.
If any of these holidays happens to fall on Saturday, then it is to the discretion of various institutions and organizations to observe Friday as a holiday. Though these holidays do not have a religious backup, they are observed with great honor, zest and respect all across the United States.