Federal holidays are days designated by the government and recognized nationwide as public holidays. Synonyms for the term "federal holiday" are national holiday, public holiday, government holiday, and legal holiday. These terms are used interchangeably to refer to holidays that are observed by federal employees and often recognized by private companies as paid holidays. Examples of federal holidays include New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, among others. These holidays provide an opportunity for people to take a break from work and celebrate important events, historical figures, and cultural traditions. They are also important in terms of national unity and cohesion.