Patriotism is a significant part of many Americans’ identity. It represents their love for their country and the values it holds dear. That’s why there are so many patriotic holidays for Americans to enjoy. Holidays allow Americans to place their hands over their hearts, wrap themselves in the flag, and enjoy life with their fellow citizens.

Presidents’ Day (Third Monday in February)

Officially known as Washington’s Birthday, this holiday has been a national holiday since President Johnson signed the Uniform Holiday Bill in 1968. Part of the bill that attempted to change the name of this holiday from Washington’s Birthday (officially) to Presidents’ Day failed. However, most Americans still refer to it as Presidents’ Day, despite its official designation.

Armed Forces Day (The Third Saturday in May)

This holiday is a day to show appreciation to those who have served in the U.S. military. It’s an opportunity for all Americans, regardless of whether they have served or not, to show service members the honor they deserve. It’s also a day to show appreciation to service members’ families, who have had to endure long separations from their loved ones and the stress of constant deployments.

Memorial Day (Observed on the Last Monday in May)

This day is for people to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. It’s a holiday for all Americans to consider the price of freedom and to remember the bravery of those who fought for the country.

D-Day (June 6th)

On June 6th, 1944, Operation Overlord was launched against the Nazi-held coastline of Normandy. Although the U.S. wasn’t the only country involved in this operation, it did suffer the loss of over 160,000 troops and 13,000 aircraft. Although not as many Americans celebrate this holiday as they should, we feel that it should be on the holiday to-do list for everyone.

Flag Day (June 14th)

Flag Day in the U.S. is designed to celebrate its origin, honor the first American flag that was ever created, and show respect for the flag. Although no one really plans elaborate celebrations on this holiday, it’s a good idea for Americans to raise the flag. This is also a good day for Americans to respectfully dispose of flags that are damaged.

American Eagle Day (June 20th)

Once upon a time, Benjamin Franklin suggested that the national bird of the newly formed U.S. should be the wild turkey. Fortunately, that idea didn’t gain traction, and instead, the U.S. ended up with the American Bald Eagle as their symbol. This is a good day to also remember that the bald eagle is still very much endangered, so all Americans should come together to protect these majestic birds.

Independence Day (July 4th)

You didn’t seriously think that we wouldn’t put the 4th of July on our list, did you? After all, no list of American patriotic holidays would be complete without Independence Day. If there’s one holiday on this list that most Americans are going to celebrate, it’s this one. Who could resist a day full of barbecues, fireworks, and family gatherings?

Gold Star Mother’s Day (Last Sunday in September)

This is the most solemn of all the holidays we’d like to talk about. It’s a day for all Americans to show appreciation to the mothers who lost a son or daughter while serving the U.S. It’s a day to remember their sacrifices and show them the love and appreciation they deserve.

National Immigrants Day (October 28th)

The last holiday on our list is National Immigrants Day. This is a day to remember that immigrants are the lifeblood of the United States and are the main reason why this country has become one of the most successful countries in the world. This is a good day for Americans to keep that in mind.

Well, that wraps things up for us. We hope we inspired you to celebrate the U.S. Patriotism is more than just grilling a few BBQ pork steaks, shooting off a few fireworks, or drinking a few beers. Patriotism is a deep love for one’s country, and the above holidays represent exactly that. We just hope that more people will see the beauty of these holidays and how they represent the American dream.