You’re probably staring at your calendar or a HR portal right now, wondering why January 9th is even coming up in your search history. Maybe you're hoping for a day off. Honestly, we've all been there. You see a random date, you see some "holiday" chatter on social media, and suddenly you're wondering if you can sleep in.
But here is the cold, hard truth: January 9th is not a federal holiday in the United States.
It isn't. Not even a little bit. If you work for the government, a bank, or the post office, you’re still clocking in. Federal holidays are specifically established by Congress under 5 U.S.C. 6103, and that list is surprisingly short and rigid. It covers the big ones like New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, and Juneteenth, but January 9th remains a standard working Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday depending on the year.
It’s kinda weird how these rumors start. Usually, people get January 9th confused with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which always falls on the third Monday of January. Depending on the year, those dates can sit pretty close to each other. In 2026, for instance, MLK Day is on January 19th. That’s a full ten days after the 9th. So, if you were planning a three-day weekend for the second week of the month, you might want to check that PTO balance instead.
Why People Think January 9th is a Federal Holiday
The confusion isn't just random noise. There are actually a few specific reasons why this date pops up in the "holiday" conversation, even if the federal government doesn't recognize it as a day off.
First off, let’s talk about National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. This happens every year on January 9th. It was established back in 2015 by several organizations, including Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). While it’s a significant day for many communities and local governments, it is a national observance, not a federal holiday. There’s a massive legal difference there. An observance means we acknowledge something; a federal holiday means the banks close and the mail stops.
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Then you’ve got the state-level stuff.
Connecticut, for example, has historically had some unique dates on its calendar. Other states occasionally move "floating" holidays around. But even then, January 9th doesn't hold the "legal public holiday" status that forces a shutdown. Most of the time, what you're seeing is a local event or a "National Day of [Insert Something Here]" that people mistake for a reason to stay home.
The Legal Framework of Federal Time Off
If you want to get technical—and since we’re talking about federal law, we kinda have to—the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the final word on this. They follow the schedule set by Congress.
Currently, there are only 11 federal holidays.
- New Year's Day
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents' Day)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day (also observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day)
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Notice anything? January 9th isn't on there. It has never been on there. Even when the government added Juneteenth recently—the first new federal holiday since MLK Day was signed into law in 1983—the selection process was incredibly rigorous. It takes an act of Congress and a Presidential signature to make a day a federal holiday. It's a big deal because it costs the taxpayer billions in lost productivity and paid leave for millions of federal employees.
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National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: The January 9th Reality
If you see flags flying or people wearing blue on January 9th, they are likely marking Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. This isn't a "day off" holiday, but it is a day where people send cards to their local precincts or share stories on social media.
It was created to show support for officers who face increasingly complex challenges in the line of duty. According to organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police, it's a day for "rank and file" recognition. But again, don't try to go to the DMV expecting it to be closed. They’ll be there. Probably with a long line, as usual.
Is it a Holiday Anywhere Else?
Sometimes the confusion comes from international calendars. If you have coworkers in Panama, January 9th is a huge deal for them. It’s Martyrs' Day.
This is a national holiday in Panama that commemorates the 1964 riots over the sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone. It’s a day of mourning and national pride. If you’re working for a global company with a hub in Panama City, your Slack messages might go unanswered that day. This is a common trip-up for people working in logistics or international finance. They see "Holiday - Jan 9" on a shared corporate calendar and assume it applies to the U.S. offices too. It doesn't.
The "National Day" Calendar Trap
We also have to blame the "National Day" websites. You know the ones. They claim every single day of the year is "National Pizza Day" or "National Hug a Weatherperson Day."
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On January 9th, you might see:
- National Static Electricity Day
- National Apricot Day
- National Balloon Ascension Day
These are fun for Instagram. They are great for marketing "buy one get one free" deals at bakeries. But they carry zero legal weight. They aren't "holidays" in any sense that affects your work schedule or the federal government's operations.
How to Check for Real Federal Holidays in 2026 and Beyond
If you're ever in doubt, don't trust a random social media post. Go straight to the source. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM.gov) publishes the official holiday list years in advance.
One thing to watch out for is the "Inauguration Day" rule. Every four years, January 20th is a federal holiday, but only for federal employees in the Washington D.C. area (the "IDC" area). If January 20th falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on Monday, January 21st. But even in that specific political cycle, January 9th remains just another day on the clock.
Practical Steps for Planning Your January
Since January 9th isn't going to give you that break you were looking for, you have to be a bit more strategic with your calendar.
- Audit your corporate calendar: Check if your specific company offers a "floating holiday." Some tech firms and progressive startups give employees a "personal day" to use whenever they want in January to beat the post-holiday blues.
- Look ahead to MLK Day: If you’re in the U.S., the third Monday of January is your guaranteed federal break. Use that for your long weekend trips.
- Verify International Closures: If you manage a team in Panama or have vendors there, mark January 9th as a "no-contact" day for them. You won't get your shipments or your emails answered.
- Support Local Observances: If you want to participate in Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, check with your local community for events. Just remember that schools and government offices will be operating on a normal schedule.
The bottom line? Keep your alarm set for January 9th. Unless you've specifically requested the day off or you happen to live in Panama, the world is going to be open for business. It’s a great day to get through that inbox while everyone else is still recovering from the New Year’s rush, but it definitely won't be a day of rest mandated by the U.S. government.