Dublin down on federal holidays? Inside the new St. Patrick's Day push

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This latest push to recognize new federal holidays has gained momentum in recent years.

Currently, there are ten federal holidays recognized in the U.S., including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day. The idea of adding new federal holidays is not new, but it has gained more attention in recent years as movements like Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Peoples’ Day have gained traction.

Many activists and lawmakers are calling for new federal holidays to recognize important historical events or marginalized groups that have been overlooked in the past. This includes establishing a holiday for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which would replace Columbus Day as a federally recognized holiday.

Another proposed federal holiday is for Election Day, to encourage voter turnout and make voting more accessible for all Americans. Some have also proposed a federal holiday to recognize the contributions of immigrants to American society.

While there is support for establishing new federal holidays, there are also concerns about the cost and logistical challenges of adding more days to the national calendar. Additionally, some argue that creating new federal holidays may not address the root causes of inequality and injustice.

Overall, the push to establish new federal holidays reflects a growing awareness of the importance of recognizing historically marginalized groups and significant events in American history. As the movement continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen which holidays will be added to the national calendar and how they will be celebrated.



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