national holiday

noun

1. a holiday that is observed throughout a nation.
2. a holiday that is legally established by a national government rather than by a municipal or state government.

Word History and Origins

Origin of national holiday¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

Advocates argue that the national holiday obviously wouldn’t put an end to racism but would rather help foster dialogue about the trauma that has resulted from the enslavement of 4 million people for more than 250 years.

From Vox

Even Congress, a body that’s long been ambivalent and even hostile toward new holidays, has recognized the “substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of the nation” that national holidays provide.

From Time

That’s why we’re calling for a new national holiday, one designed to bring more Mister Rogers into our civic lives.

From Time

By contrast, congressional Democrats argue that addressing inequality necessitates making it easier to vote through same-day voter registration, extended early voting and making Election Day a national holiday.

From Washington Post

Without a national holiday for Election Day, it’s up to employers to give employees the time to be able to do so.

From Digiday

Lori Hanna, who co-runs a popular website Intoxicology.net, says national holiday posts have successfully reeled in new visitors.

From The Daily Beast

Nor are these the only reasons for the objectionable nature of the 4th of July as a national holiday.

From The Daily Beast

To the chagrin of these 40 courageous online petitioners and their hoops-hungry brethren, March Madness is not a national holiday.

From The Daily Beast

So perhaps we should have a new national holiday, Israeli Interdependence Day, or Jewish World Interdependence Day.

From The Daily Beast

In 1969, Castro famously cancelled Christmas as a national holiday.

From The Daily Beast

He inferred that the blowing up of Lindsley's house was to finish the celebration of the national holiday.

From Project Gutenberg

The inauguration of the third president was made a national holiday throughout the country.

From Project Gutenberg

This was a national holiday, for an English spy was captured, and all natives of Boulogne were free of the guillotine to-night.

From Project Gutenberg

The day of his entry the Emir made, by public notice, a national holiday.

From Project Gutenberg

Every year since that date the anniversary of that auspicious day has been set aside for a national holiday.

From Project Gutenberg