Public Holidays in American Samoa
Summary:This article primarily discusses public holidays in American Samoa, which include a mix of federal holidays and local celebrations, as well as the operational status of shipping, airline, freight forwarding, courier, and logistics companies during these holidays.
Major Holidays
Major Holidays American Samoa observes a mix of federal holidays and local celebrations. Here's a
breakdown of the most common ones:
New Year's Day (January 1): Marks the beginning of a new year and is celebrated
worldwide.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Observed on the third Monday of January, honoring
the civil rights leader.
Presidents' Day: Celebrated on the third Monday of February, commemorating
George Washington and all U.S. presidents.
Memorial Day: Observed on the last Monday of May, honoring those who died while
serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Independence Day (July 4): Celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of
Independence in 1776.
Labor Day: Observed on the first Monday of September, honoring the American
labor movement.
Columbus Day: Celebrated on the second Monday of October, commemorating
Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas.
Veterans Day (November 11): Honors all U.S. military veterans.
Thanksgiving Day: Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, a time for
family and gratitude.
Christmas Day (December 25): A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Local Holiday
Flag Day: Celebrated on April 17th, commemorating the adoption of the
American Samoa flag.
The celebration of the establishment of the Samoan flag is also a festival to showcase local culture and traditions.
Legal holidays unique to American Samoa
Emancipation Day：This holiday commemorates the liberation of
American Samoa from German colonial rule and its becoming a territory of the United States. The
specific date varies from year to year, but is usually in April.
Flag Day：The celebration of the establishment of the Samoan flag is also a festival to showcase local culture and traditions.
American Samoa Public Holidays in 2025
Specific information regarding public holidays in American Samoa for 2025 is not readily
available. However, we can make educated predictions based on general U.S. federal holiday rules
and traditional holidays observed in American Samoa.
U.S. Federal Holidays U.S. federal holidays are generally fixed and follow
specific rules to determine their exact dates. Here are some of the major U.S. federal holidays
and their typical dates:
New Year's Day (January 1): If New Year's Day falls on a Saturday, the
preceding Friday is a holiday; if it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Celebrated on the third Monday of January.
Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day): Celebrated on the third Monday of
February.
Memorial Day: Celebrated on the last Monday of May.
Independence Day (July 4): If July 4th falls on a Saturday, the preceding
Friday is a holiday; if it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday.
Labor Day: Celebrated on the first Monday of September.
Columbus Day: Celebrated on the second Monday of October.
Veterans Day (November 11): If November 11th falls on a Saturday, the preceding
Friday is a holiday; if it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday.
Thanksgiving Day: Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Christmas Day (December 25): If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the
preceding Friday is a holiday; if it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday.
American Samoa-Specific Holidays In addition to the U.S. federal holidays,
American Samoa also celebrates specific local holidays, such as:
Flag Day: Celebrates the American Samoa flag, usually observed on April 17th.
Holiday Operations
Shipping and Airline Companies
Most shipping and airline companies continue to operate on major U.S. federal holidays such as New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. However, there may be some adjustments to their schedules. For instance, they might reduce the number of flights or ship departures, or certain departments may have shorter operating hours. For island territories like American Samoa, air and sea transportation are often the primary modes of travel, so basic services are usually maintained even during holidays.
Freight Forwarders
Freight forwarders typically adjust their work schedules based on customer needs and service contracts. During holidays, they may reduce operating hours or close their offices, but they will usually arrange for staff to handle emergencies.
Railroads
Since American Samoa does not have a railway system, railroad operations are not a concern.
Courier and Logistics Companies
Courier and logistics companies also adjust their operating hours based on holidays. During major holidays like Christmas and New Year's, services may be suspended for a few days, but they will continue to operate during other times.
Recommendation
To get accurate information about whether a specific company is operating during a holiday, it is recommended to contact the company directly. Many companies post holiday operating schedules on their websites or can provide this information through their customer service hotline.