School Laws of Oklahoma

Chapter 2 - Administration
Article I: Holidays and Remembrance Days

Section 518. Holidays - Designation and Dates. (25 O.S. § 82.1)

A. The designation and dates of holidays in Oklahoma shall be as follows: Each Saturday, Sunday, New Year’s Day on the 1st day of January, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday on the third Monday in January, President’s Day on the third Monday in February, Memorial Day on the last Monday in May, Independence Day on the 4th day of July, Labor Day on the First Monday in September, Veterans’ Day on the 11th day of November, Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday in November, the day after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas on the 25th day of December, the Monday before Christmas if Christmas is on a Tuesday, the Friday after Christmas if Christmas is on a Thursday; and if any of such holidays other than Saturday at any time fall on Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be a holiday in that year and if any of such holidays other than Sunday at any time fall on Sunday, the succeeding Monday shall be a holiday in that year.

B. The Governor shall issue an Executive Order each year specifying the dates on which the holidays other than Saturdays and Sundays designated in subsection A of this section occur. If the President of the United States declares any day other than those listed in subsection A of this section as a national holiday, the Governor may issue an Executive Order declaring such day a state holiday.

C. Any act authorized, required, or permitted to be performed on a holiday as designated in subsection A of this section may be performed on the next succeeding business day, and no liability or loss of rights of any kind shall result from such delay.

D. State employees, except for temporary and other limited term employees, shall be entitled to a day off work without loss of pay on those holidays specified in an Executive Order issued by the Governor pursuant to subsection B of this section. Those state employees, except for temporary and other limited term employees, who are required to work on a holiday specified in subsection B of this section shall be entitled to a day off work, without loss of pay, on an alternative date or payment in lieu thereof at the discretion of the appointing authority and in accordance with rules of the Administrator of the Office of Personnel Management.

E. For the purposes of this section, “holiday” means that agencies whose mission does not require them to be open for business every day of the year shall be closed for official business.

Section 519. Holidays - Additional - Optional. (25 O.S. § 82.2)

The following additional days are designated as holidays:

Jefferson Day on the 13th day of April; Oklahoma Day on the 22nd day of April; Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May; Indian Day on the first Saturday after the full moon in September; Cherokee Strip Day on the 16th day of September; Will Rogers’ Day on the 4th day of November; Citizenship Recognition Day on such date as may be fixed by the Governor; Oklahoma Historical Day on the 10th day of October; Senior Citizens’ Week beginning with the first Sunday in the month of May; Senior Citizens’ Day the Wednesday of Senior Citizens’ Week; Grandparents’ Week beginning with the second Sunday in September; Youth Day on the third Sunday in March each year; each day in which a state election is held throughout the State of Oklahoma; and such other days as may be designated by the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of Oklahoma. Notwithstanding the day designated for Veterans’ Day by Section 82.1 of this title, any bank, savings and loan association or credit union may observe the fourth Monday in October as Veterans’ Day. Any act authorized, required or permitted to be performed on any holiday as designated in this section may and shall be performed on said day the same as on any business day; provided any state, national or federal reserve bank, building and loan association, credit union, state, federal, county or municipal office may close on any day designated in this section as a holiday, and, upon such bank, building and loan association, credit union, or public office being closed on such day, any act authorized, required or permitted to be performed at or by such bank, building and loan association, credit union, public office or public official may be performed on the next succeeding business day and no liability or loss of rights of any kind shall result from such delay.

Section 519.1. Prisoners of War Remembrance Day. (25 O.S. § 90.4)

April ninth of each year is hereby established as “Prisoners of War Remembrance Day” in Oklahoma. The sacrifices of those persons who suffered captivity in foreign lands while in service of their country shall be commemorated on this day. All citizens of this state are requested to devote some portion of Prisoners of War Remembrance Day to solemn contemplation on the plight of the men and women of this country who have been held prisoners of war. Teachers and students of the schools of this state are requested to observe the day with appropriate exercises.

Section 520. Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance Day. (25 O.S. § 90.9)

April nineteenth of each year is hereby established as “Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance Day” in Oklahoma. The sacrifices of those persons who lost their lives or were injured in the bombing and their loved ones shall be commemorated on this day. All citizens of this state are requested to devote some portion of Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance Day to solemn contemplation of the tragedy and to reflect on the courage and spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the people of Oklahoma during and after the tragedy. Teachers and students of the schools of this state are requested to observe the day with appropriate exercises.

Section 521. Oklahoma Native American Day. (25 O.S. § 90.12)

The Third Monday in November of each year is designated as “Oklahoma Native American Day” in Oklahoma. All citizens of this state are requested to devote some portion of Oklahoma Native American Day to commemorate the accomplishments of Oklahoma’s Native Americans. Teachers and students of the schools of this state are requested to observe the day with appropriate activities.

School Laws of Oklahoma | Chapter 2 - Administration | Article I: Holidays and Remembrance Days | Return to Top of Page