Iowa | Holiday Smart

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State of Iowa Holidays & Observances

Comprehensive list Iowa Official National and State Holidays and how they are observed

Iowa State Day: December 28
Became the 29th State to join the Union that makes up our Nation.

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Iowa Official State Holidays

Iowa's holidays are included in the states statutes and include both Legal Public Holidays (government employees are off work), and special observances.

List of Iowa Legal Public Holidays

This list is from the Iowa state statutes which gives all except Lincoln's Birthday and includes the day after Thanksgiving as paid holidays for government employees. (source)

New Year's Day - January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - 3rd Monday in January

Lincoln's Birthday - February 12

Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) - 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day - last Monday in May

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Veterans' Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day - December 25

Iowa Special Observances

Iowa State Flag Day - March 29

Gift to Iowa’s Future Recognition Day - 1st Monday in April

Arbor Day and Week - last Friday in April - week in which this Friday falls

Mother’s Day - 2nd Sunday in May

Juneteenth National Freedom Day - 3rd Saturday in June

Father’s Day - 3rd Sunday in June

Independence Sunday - Sunday preceding or on the Fourth of July

Purple Heart Day - August 7

Herbert Hoover Day - Sunday which falls on or nearest the August 10

Columbus Day - October 12

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug World Food Prize Day - October 16

Youth Honor Day - October 31

Bill of Rights Day - December 15

State Statutes: (Source with Universal Citation)

Iowa Code: Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT: Chapter 1C - PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND RECOGNITION DAYS

Section 1C.1 - Legal public holidays.



The following are legal public holidays:

1. New Year’s Day, January 1.

2. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, the third Monday in January.

3. Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12.

4. Washington’s Birthday, the third Monday in February.

5. Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.

6. Independence Day, July 4.

7. Labor Day, the first Monday in September.

8. Veterans Day, November 11.

9. Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November.

10. Christmas Day, December 25.

Section 1C.2 - Paid holidays.

Section 1C.3 - Mother’s Day — Father’s Day.

The governor of this state is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon our state officials to display the American flag on all state and school buildings, and the people of the state to display the flag at their homes, lodges, churches, and places of business, on the second Sunday in May, known as Mother’s Day, and on the third Sunday in June, known as Father’s Day, as a public expression of reverence for the homes of our state, and to urge the celebration of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in the proclamation in such a way as will deepen home ties, and inspire better homes and closer union between the commonwealth, its homes, and their children.

Section 1C.4 - Independence Sunday.

The governor is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation, calling upon the citizens of Iowa to assemble themselves in their respective communities for the purpose of holding suitable religious-patriotic services and the display of the American colors, in commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on Independence Sunday, which is hereby established as the Sunday preceding the Fourth of July of each year, or on the Fourth when that date falls on Sunday.

Section 1C.5 - Columbus Day.

The governor of this state is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation, calling upon our state officials to display the American flag on all state and school buildings and the people of the state to display the flag at their homes, lodges, churches, and places of business on the twelfth day of October, known as Columbus Day; to commemorate the life and history of Christopher Columbus and to urge that services and exercises be had in churches, halls and other suitable places expressive of the public sentiment befitting the anniversary of the discovery of America

Section 1C.6 - Veterans Day.

The governor is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the eleventh day of November as Veterans Day and calling upon the people of Iowa to observe it as a legal holiday in honor of those who have been members of the armed forces of the United States, and urging state officials to display the American flag on all state and school buildings and the people of the state to display the flag at their homes, lodges, churches and places of business; that business activities be held to the necessary minimum; and that appropriate services and exercises be had expressive of the public sentiments befitting the occasion.

Section 1C.7 - Youth Honor Day.

The governor of this state is hereby requested and authorized to issue annually a proclamation designating the thirty-first day of October of each year as Youth Honor Day.

Section 1C.8 - Herbert Hoover Day.

The Sunday which falls on or nearest the tenth day of August of each year is hereby designated as Herbert Hoover Day, which shall be a recognition day in honor of the late President Herbert Hoover. The governor is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating such Sunday as Herbert Hoover Day and calling on the people and officials of the state of Iowa to commemorate the life and principles of Herbert Hoover, to display the American flag, and to hold appropriate services and ceremonies.

Section 1C.9 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.



1. The third Monday of January of each year is designated as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which shall be a recognition day in honor of the late civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. The governor is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating such Monday as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and calling on the people and officials of the state of Iowa to commemorate the life and principles of Dr. King, to display the American flag, and to hold appropriate private services and ceremonies.

Section 1C.10 - Arbor Day and Week.

The last Friday in April in each year shall be observed in Iowa as Arbor Day and the week in which this Friday falls shall be observed as Arbor Week. This day and week shall be designated annually by the governor with suitable proclamation urging that schools, civic organizations, governmental departments and all citizens and groups give serious thought to and appreciation of the contribution of trees to the beauty and economic welfare of Iowa.

Section 1C.11 - Iowa State Flag Day.

The governor of this state is hereby requested and authorized to issue annually a proclamation designating the twenty-ninth day of March as Iowa State Flag Day and to urge that schools, civic organizations, governmental departments, and all citizens and groups display the Iowa state flag on that day and to reflect on and consider the heritage of the state flag.

Section 1C.12 - Dr. Norman E. Borlaug World Food Prize Day.

The governor of this state is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the sixteenth day of October as Dr. Norman E. Borlaug World Food Prize Day and to encourage all governmental entities, civic organizations, schools, and institutions of higher education in the state to observe the day in a manner that emphasizes the meaning and importance of the work, accomplishments, and heroic contributions to humanity of Nobel peace prize laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug and to give attention and support to the programs and activities of the world food prize which was inspired and created by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug to alleviate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition throughout the world.

Section 1C.13 - Bill of Rights Day.

The governor of this state is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the fifteenth day of December as Bill of Rights Day and to encourage all governmental bodies in the state to observe the day in a manner that emphasizes the meaning and importance of the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States, and encourage a formal recitation of the Bill of Rights in its entirety in all schools, government meetings, and courtrooms on or about that date.

Section 1C.14 - Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

The governor of this state is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day and to encourage all governmental entities, civic organizations, schools, and institutions of higher education in the state to observe the day in a manner that emphasizes the meaning and importance of the emancipation proclamation that ended slavery in the United States and to recognize and celebrate the importance of this day to every person who cherishes liberty and equality for all people.

Section 1C.15 - Gift to Iowa’s Future Recognition Day.

The governor of this state is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the first Monday in April as Gift to Iowa’s Future Recognition Day to recognize, celebrate, and honor those public-spirited individuals and corporations who have donated land or a conservation easement to benefit Iowa’s parks, trails, fish and wildlife habitat, natural areas, open spaces, and public recreation areas and for other public uses and benefits. The department of natural resources shall maintain a registry to record the names of and suitably honor all persons who have donated land or a conservation easement for public use as described in this section.

Section 1C.16 - Purple Heart Day.

The governor of this state is hereby requested and authorized to issue annually a proclamation designating the seventh day of August as Purple Heart Day and to encourage all governmental bodies in the state to observe the day in a manner that honors the sacrifice of those men and women who shed their blood and gave their lives in service to the United States of America.

This article updated as of October 2023. While every attempt is made to be sure the information is accurate, we do not guarantee the information provided. States determine these holidays and new calendars and dates observed each year and may eliminate or add holidays and observances. Please check with your local state government website for the most up to date information and legal holiday guidelines.

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