A bank holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, some Commonwealth countries, Hong Kong, and the Republic of Ireland. On these days, particularly in the UK and Ireland, banks and most businesses are closed for the day.
The term “bank holiday” originated from the practice of banks closing for business, which also meant that other businesses couldn’t operate as normal. This term has since been extended to a wider range of public and private sector services.
Bank holidays may be designated by statute, religious observance, or custom and are typically observed with community-wide activities such as public parades, shows, and sporting events. Different regions within the same country may observe different bank holidays.
In the United States, the term isn’t commonly used; instead, they refer to these days as “public holidays,” “federal holidays,” or simply “holidays.” The concept, however, is the same: a day when most businesses and services are closed due to a public celebration or observance.