1. Lincoln’s Birthday
Once a staple in February calendars, Lincoln’s Birthday was widely observed in many states, especially in the North. It celebrated the legacy of Abraham Lincoln on February 12, with school assemblies, speeches, and civic ceremonies. But over time, the holiday faded from federal recognition, especially after the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971. States like Illinois still observe it, but it’s no longer a nationwide event.
What replaced it? Presidents’ Day, Kevin Wagner from the Palm Beach Post explains. Instead of honoring just Lincoln (or just Washington), the third Monday in February became a mash-up celebration of all U.S. presidents. It was meant to simplify and standardize holidays for workers and the government. Today, it’s more known for mattress sales than history lessons.
2. Evacuation Day (Boston)
Evacuation Day was once a big deal in Boston, commemorating March 17, 1776—the day British troops withdrew from the city during the Revolutionary War, Hanna Ali from WBUR explains. Schools closed, parades were held, and Irish-American pride mingled with Revolutionary fervor. The date also conveniently aligned with St. Patrick’s Day, which gave it a dual sense of celebration. But as time passed, its historical relevance waned for newer generations.
What replaced it? Essentially, St. Patrick’s Day swallowed it whole. Now the same date is dominated by green beer, shamrocks, and Irish pride, with little mention of British ships sailing away from Boston Harbor. It’s still technically recognized in Suffolk County, but the focus has completely shifted. The Revolutionary angle has been mostly forgotten.
3. Confederate Memorial Day
Observed in several Southern states after the Civil War, Confederate Memorial Day was created to honor fallen Confederate soldiers, according to Bonnie Bolden from the Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Dates varied by state, and ceremonies included parades, reenactments, and visits to cemeteries. The holiday was deeply rooted in Lost Cause ideology and promoted a specific historical narrative. Over time, this became increasingly controversial.
What replaced it? In many places, nothing directly filled the gap. Some Southern states still unofficially observe it, but others have distanced themselves or replaced it with broader, more inclusive remembrance days. Mississippi, for instance, now combines Confederate Memorial Day with other historical remembrances, or shifts focus to Memorial Day. Public sentiment and political pressure have pushed it to the margins.
4. Discovery Day
Discovery Day was once celebrated in places like Hawaii and Puerto Rico to commemorate the arrival of Europeans—often Columbus or other explorers. In Hawaii, it was called Discoverers’ Day and honored Polynesian voyagers along with Western explorers. But the growing awareness of colonial impacts and indigenous perspectives led to its reevaluation. The holiday became more controversial than celebratory.
What replaced it? In many cases, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has taken its place, according to Harmeet Kaur from CNN. Hawaii officially dropped Discoverers’ Day in 1988 and did not replace it with a paid holiday, but public observances have shifted tone. Across the U.S., more cities and states are adopting Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October. The focus is now on honoring native history instead of European conquest.
5. American Indian Day (First Version)
The original American Indian Day was first declared in 1916 by New York, recognizing the contributions of Native Americans. Other states followed suit, often placing the observance in September. But it never became a federal holiday, and public interest faded by the mid-20th century. The lack of consistent recognition contributed to its decline.
What replaced it? Indigenous Peoples’ Day emerged decades later with a broader cultural shift. Unlike the older American Indian Day, this newer observance directly challenges the Columbus narrative. It gained traction starting in the 1990s and has since replaced Columbus Day in many jurisdictions. The message is more activist and historical, aligning with current social awareness.
6. May Day (Labor Version)
May 1 used to be celebrated by American labor movements with marches and speeches, part of an international worker solidarity tradition. The date was chosen to commemorate the Haymarket Affair of 1886 in Chicago. But during the Cold War, May Day was seen as too closely associated with communism and the Soviet Union. The U.S. government distanced itself from the holiday entirely.
What replaced it? Labor Day in September became the official, government-endorsed holiday. It was safer, more patriotic, and free from radical connotations. While other countries still celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1, the U.S. version is now a BBQ-and-backyard affair. The political edge of May Day has been largely dulled here.
7. Flag Day (In Decline)
Flag Day, celebrated on June 14, marks the adoption of the American flag in 1777. It was once widely taught in schools, with kids singing patriotic songs and learning flag etiquette. President Wilson made a proclamation in 1916, and Congress established it in 1949—but it never became a federal holiday. That’s part of why it faded in prominence.
What replaced it? Not so much a replacement as a general shift in patriotic observances. Flag Day has been overshadowed by Memorial Day and Independence Day, both of which offer time off work and bigger cultural moments. Some towns, like Quincy, Massachusetts, still hold Flag Day parades, but nationally it has slipped into obscurity. It’s a holiday more honored in theory than practice now.
8. Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day)
On August 14, 1945, Americans poured into the streets to celebrate the end of World War II after Japan’s surrender. For years, V-J Day was marked with parades and memorials, especially in the late 1940s and ’50s. But the name and tone of the holiday grew problematic, both for its cultural insensitivity and militaristic framing. It also didn’t become a permanent federal holiday.
What replaced it? The broader Veterans Day, observed on November 11, absorbed much of the patriotic and veteran-honoring sentiment. Veterans Day came from Armistice Day, but it now serves as a catch-all for military recognition. Some states like Rhode Island still observe V-J Day, but nationally, it’s almost entirely vanished. The focus has shifted from victory to honoring service.
9. The Eighth (Andrew Jackson Day)
Once celebrated in the South, January 8 honored the Battle of New Orleans and Andrew Jackson’s leadership in the War of 1812. It was considered a patriotic victory over the British and was especially popular in Tennessee and Louisiana. But its relevance faded as Jackson’s legacy became more controversial and fewer Americans connected to the War of 1812. By the 20th century, it was practically forgotten.
What replaced it? In Jackson’s home state of Tennessee, there’s still an observance, but nothing equivalent has filled the national void. Some see Presidents’ Day as absorbing bits of Jackson’s legacy, though it’s more generalized. Public schools and civic life no longer acknowledge January 8. The holiday disappeared quietly as historical tastes changed.
10. Temperance Sunday
Temperance Sunday was promoted by the Anti-Saloon League and churches during the early 1900s. It was used to rally public support against alcohol and push for Prohibition. Churches would hold special sermons, and civic groups organized events to promote sobriety. The observance lost traction after Prohibition ended in 1933.
What replaced it? Nothing in the official calendar, but the broader cultural shift away from temperance created space for events like Alcohol Awareness Month (April). That initiative, launched in 1987, serves a very different tone—more about health than morality. Churches today may still promote sobriety messages, but without the firebrand activism. Temperance Sunday is now a historical footnote.
11. Columbus Day (in many states)
Columbus Day was once a widespread federal and school holiday celebrating Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage. Italian-American communities especially embraced it as a day of cultural pride. But increasing awareness of Columbus’s role in colonization and indigenous suffering changed public opinion. Protests and educational campaigns reshaped how Americans viewed the holiday.
What replaced it? Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now officially recognized in over 20 states and hundreds of cities. It reframes the October observance to honor Native American history and resilience. Some states, like South Dakota, have renamed the day entirely, while others simply stopped observing Columbus Day. The shift reflects a deeper rethinking of American identity.
12. National Clean-Up Day (Early 20th Century Version)
In the early 1900s, cities across America held National Clean-Up Days in April, aimed at civic pride and public health. Citizens cleaned vacant lots, picked up trash, and beautified neighborhoods. It was part of a larger movement toward urban reform and hygiene. But as municipal services professionalized, the need for a single day of cleaning disappeared.
What replaced it? Earth Day, established in 1970, filled a similar environmental niche. It expanded the message from local tidiness to global ecological awareness. Today, Earth Day is a massive worldwide event, with tree planting, cleanups, and climate action. It carries on the spirit of civic engagement, but with a broader mission.
13. Election Day as a Celebration
In the 1800s, Election Day was a festive occasion—complete with parades, public speeches, and sometimes rowdy parties. It was considered a major civic event, not just a trip to the ballot box. Many workers got time off to vote, and communities came together to mark the occasion. But as voting became more procedural and polarized, the celebratory spirit faded.
What replaced it? Some states are trying to bring it back with laws making Election Day a holiday, but nationally, it’s been functionally replaced by early voting and mail-in ballots. The convenience has increased participation, but the shared moment is gone. Civic tech initiatives and community drives aim to revive enthusiasm, but it’s not the same. The old Election Day carnival has mostly vanished.
