The terms "celebrated" and "observed" refer to different ways people mark occasions or holidays.
- A holiday is usually celebrated when it involves festivity, joy, and celebratory activities, like parties or happy gatherings (e.g., Mother's Day, Flag Day).
- A holiday or occasion is observed when it is marked by formal actions such as ceremonies, rituals, or solemn remembrance rather than festive celebrations. For example, Memorial Day in the US is often said to be "observed" because it involves commemorative ceremonies.
The date of celebration or observation depends on the specific holiday or occasion. Some holidays are always celebrated on the exact anniversary date (like Independence Day on July 4), while others may be observed on a different date if the official date falls on a weekend (an "observed holiday"), such as federal holidays in the US.
If you want to know when a specific holiday or occasion is celebrated or observed, please specify which holiday or occasion, and I can provide the exact dates and practices.
