American Indian Heritage Day, also sometimes known as Native American Heritage Day, recognizes the native American heritage, history and contributions. Some states recognize this day as a legal holiday or observance.
Is American Indian Heritage Day a Public Holiday?
American Indian Heritage Day 2023 is a state observance in Montana and Texas and a state holiday in Alabama and Maryland.
American Indian Heritage Day recognizes the native American heritage, history and contributions.
Many people observe American Indian Heritage Day with activities, programs, and ceremonies that promote the historical and present day status of Native Americans and the Native American tribal governments. These events celebrate the culture, traditions, and languages of Native Americans that all Americans enjoy today
The day also encourages public elementary and secondary schools to educate students about the history, achievements, and contributions of Native Americans by providing classroom instructions and activities.
What's Open or Closed?
American Indian Heritage Day is a civil holiday but some individual states, such as Maryland recognize this day as a state holiday. Maryland state agencies, libraries and public schools are closed on this day and most state employees and many others have the day off from work.
About the Day
Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants of the United States. American Indian Heritage Day aims to highlight the relationship between the United States government and the Native American governments, as well as honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the US.
Native Americans have made distinct and significant contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art. Throughout history, Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, as well as scholars.
American Indian Heritage Day Observances
Year
Weekday
Date
Name
Holiday Type
Area
2018
Fri
Sep 28
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2018
Mon
Oct 8
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2018
Fri
Nov 23
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2019
Fri
Sep 27
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2019
Mon
Oct 14
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2019
Fri
Nov 29
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2020
Fri
Sep 25
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2020
Mon
Oct 12
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2020
Fri
Nov 27
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2021
Fri
Sep 24
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2021
Mon
Oct 11
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2021
Fri
Nov 26
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2022
Fri
Sep 30
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2022
Mon
Oct 10
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2022
Fri
Nov 25
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2023
Fri
Sep 29
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2023
Mon
Oct 9
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2023
Fri
Nov 24
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2024
Fri
Sep 27
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2024
Mon
Oct 14
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2024
Fri
Nov 29
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2025
Fri
Sep 26
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2025
Mon
Oct 13
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2025
Fri
Nov 28
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2026
Fri
Sep 25
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2026
Mon
Oct 12
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2026
Fri
Nov 27
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2027
Fri
Sep 24
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2027
Mon
Oct 11
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2027
Fri
Nov 26
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
2028
Fri
Sep 29
American Indian Heritage Day
State Observance
Montana, Texas
2028
Mon
Oct 9
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Alabama
2028
Fri
Nov 24
American Indian Heritage Day
State Holiday
Maryland
While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.