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Title 15 Holidays and Days of Special Observance

Chapter 1 Holidays
§ 15-1-101. Legal holidays.
  1. January 1; the third Monday in January, “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day”; the third Monday in February, known as “Washington Day”; the last Monday in May, known as “Memorial” or “Decoration Day”; June 19, known as “Juneteenth”; July 4; the first Monday in September, known as “Labor Day”; the second Monday in October, known as “Columbus Day”; November 11, known as “Veterans' Day”; the fourth Thursday in November, known as “Thanksgiving Day”; December 25; and Good Friday; and when any one (1) of these days falls on Sunday, then the following Monday shall be substituted; and when any of these days falls on Saturday, then the preceding Friday shall be substituted; also, all days appointed by the governor or by the president of the United States as days of fasting or thanksgiving, and all days set apart by law for holding county, state, or national elections, throughout this state, are made legal holidays, and the period from twelve o'clock (12:00) noon to twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight of each Saturday which is not a holiday is made a half-holiday, on which holidays and half-holidays all public offices of this state may be closed and business of every character, at the option of the parties in interest of the same, may be suspended.
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§ 15-1-102. Friday holidays — Optional suspension of Saturday business.
  1. Whenever January 1, July 4 or December 25 falls on Friday, then any corporation, firm or individual shall, on the succeeding Saturday, have the privilege and option to suspend business activities completely or partially and shall not incur any liability for failure to exercise on such a Saturday all of the lawful functions authorized by law; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to compel any corporation, firm or individual to suspend lawful business functions on such a Saturday, as it is optional whether this right is exercised.
§ 15-1-103. Banks — Optional Saturday business.
  1. Nothing in any law shall in any manner affect the validity of, or render void or voidable, the payment, certification, or acceptance of a check or other negotiable instrument or any other transaction by a bank in this state, because done or performed on any legal holiday or on any Saturday between twelve o'clock (12:00) noon and twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight; provided, that such payment, certification, acceptance, or other transaction would be valid if done or performed on any business day other than a legal holiday, or if done or performed before twelve o'clock (12:00) noon on such Saturday. Nothing herein shall be construed to compel any bank, which by law or custom is entitled to close on a legal holiday, or is entitled to close at twelve o'clock (12:00) noon on any Saturday, to keep open for the transaction of business or to perform any of these acts or transactions on any legal holiday or on any Saturday after twelve o'clock (12:00) noon, except at its own option.
§ 15-1-104. Banks — Optional suspension of Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday morning business.
  1. Every corporation, firm or individual doing a banking business in this state has the privilege and option to suspend business activities completely or partially on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday mornings of each week and shall not incur any liability for failure then to exercise all of the lawful functions authorized by law; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to compel any corporation, firm or individual doing a banking business in this state to suspend lawful functions on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday mornings of each week.
§ 15-1-105. Veterans' Day as holiday for veteran employees.
  1. (a) As used in this section:
    1. (1) “Employee” means a natural person who performs services for an employer for valuable consideration, and does not include a self-employed independent contractor;
    2. (2) “Employer” means a person or entity that employs one (1) or more employees, and includes the state and its political subdivisions; and
    3. (3) “Veteran” means a former member of the armed forces of the United States, or a former or current member of a reserve or Tennessee national guard unit who was called into active military service of the United States, as defined in § 58-1-102.
  2. (b) An employer shall allow the employer's veteran employees to have the entirety of November 11, Veterans' Day, as a non-paid holiday if:
    1. (1) The veteran employee provides the employer with at least one-month's written notice of the veteran employee's intent to have the entirety of that day as a non-paid holiday;
    2. (2) The veteran employee provides the employer with proof of veteran status, which may include, but is not limited to, a DD Form 214 or other comparable certificate of discharge from the armed forces; and
    3. (3) The veteran employee's absence, either alone or in combination with other veteran employee's absences, on that day will not impact public health or safety, or cause the employer significant economic or operational disruption as determined by the employer in the employer's sole discretion.
  3. (c) This section does not prohibit an employer from allowing the employer's veteran employees to have the entirety of Veterans' Day as a paid holiday.
Chapter 2 Days of Special Observance
§ 15-2-101. Additional special observance days.
  1. Each year the following days are days of special observance: January 19, “Robert E. Lee Day”; February 12, “Abraham Lincoln Day”; March 15, “Andrew Jackson Day”; June 3, “Memorial Day” or “Confederate Decoration Day”; July 13, “Nathan Bedford Forrest Day”; and November 11, “Veterans' Day.” The people of this state are invited to observe the days in schools, churches, and other suitable places with appropriate ceremonies expressive of the public sentiment befitting the anniversary of such dates.
§ 15-2-102. Mothers' Day.
  1. The second Sunday of May of each year is to be especially observed as “Mothers' Day.”
§ 15-2-103. Statehood Day.
  1. June 1 of each year is declared an historical day to commemorate the admission of the state into the Union, such day to be known as “Statehood Day”; provided, that this day is not a legal holiday.
§ 15-2-104. Family Day.
  1. The last Sunday in August of each year is to be especially observed as “Family Day,” to bring attention and honor to the importance of the family as the basis of our state and nation.
§ 15-2-105. Franklin D. Roosevelt Day.
  1. January 30 of each year is to be observed as “Franklin D. Roosevelt Day,” to honor and recognize President Roosevelt as the father of the civilian conservation corps. Such day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-106. American Indian Day.
  1. (a) The fourth Monday in September of each year is to be especially observed in Tennessee as “American Indian Day,” and that on this day schools, clubs, and civic and religious organizations are encouraged to recognize the contributions of American Indians with suitable ceremony and fellowship designed to promote greater understanding and brotherhood between American Indians and the non-Indian people of this state.
  2. (b) The people of this state are invited and urged to observe American Indian Day with suitable ceremony and fellowship.
  3. (c) The department of education shall provide, within the limits of funds available for such purpose, information available to all people of this state regarding American Indian Day.
§ 15-2-107. Tennessee P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Week.
  1. The week beginning the third Friday of September and extending through the following Thursday of each year shall be designated as “Tennessee P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Week” in recognition of the sacrifices of the citizens who were captured by the enemy or are missing in action.
§ 15-2-108. Scottish, Scots-Irish Heritage Day.
  1. June 24 of each year is to be observed as “Scottish, Scots-Irish Heritage Day,” to honor and recognize the contributions people of Scottish and Scots-Irish heritage made to the founding and development of Tennessee. Such day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-109. Workers' Memorial Day.
  1. April 28 of each year is to be observed as “Workers' Memorial Day,” to honor and recognize workers killed and injured on the job. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-110. John Sevier Day.
  1. June 23 of each year shall be observed as “John Sevier Day,” to honor and recognize John Sevier for his important role in Tennessee attaining statehood and his meritorious service as the state's first governor. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-111. Harriet Tubman Day.
  1. March 10 of each year shall be observed as “Harriet Tubman Day,” to honor and recognize Harriet Tubman for her important role in the history of Tennessee and the United States as an abolitionist and champion of equal rights for all people. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-112. Bluegrass Day.
  1. The fourth Saturday in May of each year shall be observed as “Bluegrass Day,” to honor and recognize bluegrass music, its great beauty and artistry, and its prominent place in Tennessee's proud heritage and present day economy. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-113. Emancipation Day.
  1. August 8 of each year shall be observed as “Emancipation Day,” to honor and recognize the celebration of the action of Andrew Johnson in freeing Andrew Johnson's personal slaves on August 8, 1863, and the significance of emancipation in the history of Tennessee. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-114. Patriots’ Day.
  1. April 19 of each year shall be observed as “Patriots' Day,” to honor and recognize the opening events of the War of the Revolution and the struggle through which the nation passed in its early days. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-115. Wilma Rudolph Day.
  1. June 23 of each year shall be observed as “Wilma Rudolph Day,” to honor and recognize the late Wilma Rudolph for her inspirational example in overcoming childhood disability to excel as an athlete, her numerous athletic accomplishments, including winning three gold medals at the 1960 Olympics, her courage in combating segregation, and her humanitarian work as a United States goodwill ambassador. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-116. Vietnam Veterans Day.
  1. March 29 of each year shall be observed as “Vietnam Veterans Day,” to honor and recognize the veterans who served during the Vietnam War. State agencies, interested organizations and groups and individuals are encouraged to fly the United States flag accompanied by the MIA/POW flag on this day. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-117. Towing and Recovery Week.
  1. The week that includes the third Saturday in September shall be observed as “Towing and Recovery Week” in this state, to honor the thousands of operators, manufacturers, suppliers, and other dedicated men and women who serve our state's motoring public with courtesy and courage while promoting safety on our roads and highways. This week shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-118. Tennessee and United States Constitutions Day.
  1. September 17 of each year shall be observed as “Tennessee and United States Constitutions Day,” to honor and commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme laws of our state and land on June 1, 1796, and September 17, 1787. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-119. Firefighters' Memorial Day.
  1. October 9 of each year shall be observed as “Firefighters' Memorial Day,” to honor and recognize firefighters in this state for their courageous and dedicated service. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-120. Gold Star Mother's Day.
  1. The last Sunday in September of each year shall be observed as “Gold Star Mother's Day,” to honor Tennessee's Gold Star Mothers for their courage, resolve and strength in the face of great personal loss. State agencies, interested organizations and groups and individuals are encouraged to fly the United States flag on this day as a public expression of our state's sympathy and respect for our Gold Star Mothers. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-121. Volunteer Firefighters Week — Rescue Squad Week.
  1. (a) The first full week in March of each year shall be observed as “Volunteer Firefighters Week,” to honor and recognize volunteer firefighters in this state for their courageous and dedicated service. This week shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
  2. (b) The third full week in May of each year shall also be observed as “Rescue Squad Week,” to honor and recognize rescue squad personnel in this state for their tireless and invaluable service. Such week shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-122. Tennessee National Guard Day.
  1. March 3 of each year shall be observed as “Tennessee National Guard Day,” to honor and recognize Tennessee national guard personnel for their service and sacrifices in defense of our nation and for responding to domestic missions within the borders of our state. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-123. Lymphedema Awareness Week.
  1. The third week of June each year shall be observed as “Lymphedema Awareness Week,” to encourage all medical facilities in the state to dedicate more time, energy, and funding to the diagnosing and treatment of the disease. This week shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-124. Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day.
  1. June 6 of each year shall be observed as “Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day,” to raise public awareness about this debilitating neurological spinal cord disorder. This day shall not be a legal holiday, as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-125. Police Memorial Day.
  1. May 11 of each year shall be observed as “Police Memorial Day,” to honor and recognize law enforcement officers in this state for their dedication and selfless service. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-126. Agriculture Literacy Week.
  1. The week that includes the third Thursday in November each year shall be designated “Agriculture Literacy Week” in Tennessee, to promote agricultural literacy and the need to educate students about the importance of agriculture to our state and our nation. This week shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-127. Tennessee Missing Children's Day.
  1. March 4 of each year shall be observed as “Tennessee Missing Children's Day,” to raise public awareness about child abduction and sexual exploitation and to promote public education efforts as to appropriate protective measures, and ways to respond and seek help from law enforcement, social services, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This day shall not be a legal holiday, as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-128. Tennessee Rural Mayor's Day.
  1. The first Monday of October of each year shall be observed as “Tennessee Rural Mayor's Day,” to honor and recognize mayors of small cities in this state for their tireless work and dedicated service to their respective communities. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-129. Tennessee Songwriters Week.
  1. The last full week of February each year must be observed as “Tennessee Songwriters Week,” to promote Tennessee's musical heritage by recognizing the contributions of past and present songwriters to this state.
§ 15-2-130. Febb Burn Day.
  1. August 18 of each year shall be observed as “Febb Burn Day,” to honor Febb Burn's role in the enfranchisement of women. This day shall not be a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-131. Financial Literacy Month.
  1. The month of April is observed as “Financial Literacy Month” in Tennessee, to promote financial literacy and the need to educate Tennesseans about the importance of personal financial health to Tennessee's future prosperity.
§ 15-2-132. Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day.
  1. December 1 of each year is to be observed as “Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day” to honor and recognize Mrs. Rosa L. Parks for her important role in the civil rights movement in the United States. This day is not a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-133. Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.
  1. June 27 of each year is to be observed as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day,” to promote awareness of persons suffering from post-traumatic stress injury.
§ 15-2-134. Women's Suffrage Day.
  1. August 18 of each year is to be observed as “Women's Suffrage Day.”
§ 15-2-135. Women's Veterans Day.
  1. June 12 of each year is to be observed as “Women's Veterans Day,” to honor the efforts of our distinguished female veterans and pay tribute to their character and courage in answering the call of action with pride and conviction.
§ 15-2-136. Barber, Beauty, and Health Month.
  1. The month of April is observed as “Barber, Beauty, and Health Month” in this state to recognize the contributions of Tennesseans to the health and beauty industry, to honor those persons who work in the health and beauty industry, to recognize those persons who work to help this state become the best in the nation for natural hair care and cosmetology, and to remind Tennesseans of the importance of maintaining proper health and wellness.
§ 15-2-138. African-American Music Appreciation Month.
  1. The month of June is observed annually as “African-American Music Appreciation Month” in this state.
§ 15-2-139. Tennessee Manufacturing Day.
  1. The first Friday in October of each year is designated as “Tennessee Manufacturing Day,” to promote manufacturing and highlight the benefits of manufacturing to our state and nation. This day is not a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-140. Star-Spangled Banner Day.
  1. September 14 of each year is observed as “Star-Spangled Banner Day,” to join with our fellow citizens in celebration of this patriotic occasion across this state.
§ 15-2-141. Economic Education Month.
  1. The month of October is observed annually as “Economic Education Month” in this state.
§ 15-2-142. Brain Aneurysm Month.
  1. The month of September is observed annually as “Brain Aneurysm Month” in this state.
§ 15-2-143. Historically Black Colleges and Universities Day.
  1. November 8 of each year is to be observed as “Historically Black Colleges and Universities Day.” This day is not a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-144. Alexander Disease Day.
  1. April 7 of each year is to be observed as “Alexander Disease Day,” to raise public awareness of the rare autosomal dominant leukodystrophy, a neurological condition caused by anomalies in the myelin that protect nerve fibers in the brain. This day is not a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-145. Ida B. Wells Day.
  1. July 16 of each year is to be observed as “Ida B. Wells Day.” This day is not a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.
§ 15-2-146. Silver Alert Awareness Month.
  1. The month of May is observed annually as “Silver Alert Awareness Month” in this state.
§ 15-2-147. Tennessee Lineworker Appreciation Day.
  1. The second Monday in April of each year is designated as “Tennessee Lineworker Appreciation Day,” to honor and recognize lineworkers for their estimable work in providing for the safety and well-being of this state's citizens. This day is not a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.