Definition of the word legal holiday

The term "legal holiday" refers to a day officially recognized and observed as a public holiday by law. The origins of this phrase can be traced back to the United States during the late 19th century. At the time, the federal government had yet to establish a specific list of national holidays, and individual states had the authority to create their own observances. In response to this decentralized system, Congress passed the Federal Holidays Act in 1898, which established a list of three national holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day. To maintain consistency and avoid confusion between federal and state holidays, the term "legal holiday" was coined to describe any day designated as a public holiday by law. The precise meaning and coverage of the term "legal holiday" can vary by jurisdiction, as different governments have different criteria for creating and recognizing holidays. In some cases, legal holidays may be observed as full- or half-days of official closure for government offices, schools, and businesses, while in other cases, they may simply serve as a memorial or commemorative occasion without any formal closure. Overall, the concept of "legal holiday" reflects the formal, regulatory nature of public holidays, as well as the need for coordinated scheduling and recognition across various levels of government and society.