Other Observances

There are many other observances during the year that are not designated as legal holidays. Some of these are unique to organizations and others have been created as special remembrances.

Other observances include:

• April Fools Day - April 1
• Arbor Day - Traditional date is April 22 in Nebraska (Observed as close to April 22nd as possible)
• Chinese New Year - Between January 21 and February 19
• Cinco de Mayo - May 5
• Earth Day - April 22
• Flag Day - June 14
• Halloween - October 31
• Mardi Gras - 12 days before Lent
• Native American Powwow
• New Year's Eve - December 31
• St. Patrick's Day - March 17

• April Fools Day
  
  April Fools Day was originally the start of the New Year. It is thought that the pranks associated with it originated when the calendar was changed by Pope Gregory in 1562.
• Arbor Day
  
  Arbor Day originated in Nebraska on a recommendation by Julius Morton that citizens plant trees in what was a barren state.
• Chinese New Year
  
  The Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 19. The date is based on the new moon and the full moon.
• Cinco de Mayo
  
  Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the Mexican people of Puebla against the French in a battle no one believed they could win.
• Earth Day
  
  The first celebration of Earth Day was April 22, 1970. About twenty million people participated in activities across the country.
• Flag Day
  
  Flag Day was first observed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1893. It is the day Americans are asked to display their flags outside their homes and businesses.
• Halloween
  
  The origins of Halloween lie in both pre-Christian and Christian customs. It was known as All Hallows Eve, the eve before the New Year of November 1.
• Mardi Gras
  
  Mardi Gras has its origin in the Roman festival Lupercalia which was a pagan festival before Christianity.
• Native American Powwow
  
  Native American powwows are an opportunity for the various tribes from the United States and Canada to get together to dance and socialize.
• New Years Eve
  
  New Years Eve is a time for celebration across the world. It signifies the ending of the old year and the beginning of the new year which is usually a time of self-examination.
• St. Patrick Day
  
  St. Patrick Day has its origins in ancient times and is the story of a young man who brought Christianity to Ireland.