The calendar is populated with countless holidays that correspond with religious and cultural traditions, but a legal holiday is an observance officially recognized by the federal or state government. For instance Valentine's Day is a popular holiday but is not a legal holiday, whereas New Year's Day is an officially recognized legal holiday. The difference is that government employees are entitled to a paid day off (or premium pay if they work) on legal holidays. Private employees also may get a paid day off, but employers are not required to oblige unless it is included in the employment contract.
State governments are required to recognize federal legal holidays, but often add their own observances that reflect the state's unique history and culture.
Legal Holidays in Louisiana
Louisiana observes quite a few legal holidays in addition to those observed nationally, including:
Some parishes within the state have optional half-holidays for all banking institutions, which means participating banks may close their doors at 12:00 p.m. The first day of Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," is also a legal holiday throughout the state.
The following chart lists Louisiana's legally recognized holidays, with links to additional resources.
| Code Section | 1:55 |
| Holidays | New Year's Day; Mardi Gras; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving; Christmas; Good Friday; general election day in even numbered years; Also, governor has authority to declare following paid holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday; Robert E. Lee's Birthday; Washington's Birthday; Memorial Day; Confederate Memorial Day; Acadian Day; s/he must declare 2, including national Memorial Day every year and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday every other year; Battle of New Orleans; Huey P. Long Day; All Saints Day |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new laws or other means. Make sure you contact a Louisiana employment attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Louisiana Legal Holiday Laws: Related Resources
