A federal holiday under 5 USC 6103, adopted by ASG General Memorandum. Commemorates the civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born 15 January 1929.
2/16/1953, Mon
Washington's Birthday
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(b) (statutory date 22 February). By ASG General Memorandum 020-26 the observance is aligned with the federal convention, third Monday in February, commemorating George Washington's birthday (also known nationally as Presidents' Day).
4/3/1953, Fri
Good Friday
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(c).
4/5/1953, Sun
Easter
Note
A Christian religious observance. Not a statutory public holiday.
4/17/1953, Fri
American Samoa Flag Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(d). Commemorates the first raising of the United States flag over American Samoa on 17 April 1900, following the 1899 Tripartite Convention that divided the Samoan islands between Germany and the United States.
5/13/1953, Wed
Swains Island Day
Note
A new PERMANENT annual public holiday for American Samoa established by Executive Order signed 2 May 2025 by Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula; effective "for all years in the future." Commemorates the anniversary of the raising of the United States flag on Swains Island (Olohega / Olosega), marking its 1925 incorporation into American Samoa.
5/25/1953, Mon
Memorial Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(e). Commemorates US military personnel who died in service.
6/19/1953, Fri
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Note
A federal holiday under 5 USC 6103 as amended by Public Law 111-41 (2009) and Public Law 117-17 (2021, made Juneteenth a permanent federal holiday). Commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans (19 June 1865).
7/3/1953, Fri
Independence Day: Actual Observance Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(f).
7/16/1953, Thu
Manu'a Islands Cession Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(g), added by Public Law 18-21 s.1 of 1983. Commemorates the 16 July 1904 Deed of Cession by Tui Manu'a Elisara ceding the Manu'a Islands (Ta'u, Ofu, Olosega) to the United States.
9/7/1953, Mon
Labor Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(h). Marks the US Labor Movement.
10/11/1953, Sun
White Sunday
Note
A customary religious non-working day adopted by annual Governor's proclamation. Second Sunday in October. Nearly universally observed by the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) and other Christian congregations; children of the parish wear white and receive gifts.
10/12/1953, Mon
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
Note
A federal holiday under 5 USC 6103. Adopted by ASG General Memorandum; Samoa News confirmed "all government offices will be closed, including the territorial banks" on this date. Both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day names are used interchangeably in ASG communications.
11/11/1953, Wed
Veterans Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(i). Commemorates US military veterans; anniversary of the 11 November 1918 Armistice ending World War I.
11/26/1953, Thu
Thanksgiving Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(j) (fourth Thursday in November). Adopted from the US federal Thanksgiving Day tradition.
12/25/1953, Fri
Christmas Day
Note
A statutory public holiday under ASCA 1.0501(k). The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.