Washington’s Birthday in American Samoa
Washington’s Birthday is a paid public holiday for American Samoa government agency employees. Territorial regulations place it on the third Monday in February and set out how employees with different work schedules observe holidays.[1][2]
Legal status and timing
American Samoa’s government employee regulations list Washington’s Birthday among the public holidays designated by statute and paid for agency employees. The listing establishes a paid holiday for those employees; it does not by itself establish a day off for every worker or resident.[1]
The holiday falls on the third Monday in February. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management explains that the federal holiday was moved from Washington’s February 22 birthday to a Monday under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. In federal law, its official name remains Washington’s Birthday, although “Presidents’ Day” is also used informally.[1][3]
How the observance works
For employees whose workweek runs Monday through Friday, American Samoa’s regulation says a holiday falling on a workday is observed that day. It provides a Friday observance when a holiday falls on Saturday and a Monday observance when it falls on Sunday.[2]
Employees who work other schedules follow a separate rule: if the holiday falls on a scheduled day off, it is observed on their first workday after that day off; if it falls on a workday, it is observed then.[2]
Meaning in American Samoa
The local rules establish Washington’s Birthday as part of the government employee holiday calendar. Check with local offices or businesses for information about any Washington’s Birthday events or customs.[1]
The wider U.S. observance honors George Washington’s birthday and is set in federal law on the third Monday in February. The federal name is Washington’s Birthday; names used by local jurisdictions or private businesses can differ.[3]
Planning around the holiday
The territorial regulation specifies paid leave for agency employees, but it does not set opening hours for every bank, shop, school, transport provider, or other service. Check directly with the office or business you plan to visit, and consult current American Samoa Government notices for any announced changes to public services.[1]
Frequently asked questions
When is Washington’s Birthday observed in American Samoa?
It is observed on the third Monday in February. The American Samoa regulation lists that weekday as the holiday’s date.[1]
Is it a day off for everyone?
The territorial rule designates it as a paid holiday for agency employees. The cited regulation does not establish a day off for every resident or private-sector worker.[1]
Does the holiday have a substitute day?
For Monday-to-Friday employees, the regulation provides substitute observances when a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday. For employees on other schedules, it provides observance on the first workday after a day off. Washington’s Birthday is listed for a Monday.[2]
Are shops, banks, or transport services open?
The holiday rules cited here do not specify hours for private businesses or transport providers. Check with the service directly before making plans.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Washington's Birthday in American Samoa:
- 4.2403 Holidays-Designated-Proclamation.- American Samoa Bar Association
- 4.2404 Holidays-Days observed.- American Samoa Bar Association
- What is the official name for the holiday on the third Monday in February?- U.S. Office of Personnel Management