US citizenship civics · Theme 8 · 2 min read

Holidays

Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the list of national US holidays. Questions 125 to 128 of the 2025 civics test.

About this section

The last four questions in the pool are about national holidays. Be sure you can tell Memorial Day and Veterans Day apart.

This section belongs to Symbols and Holidays, one of the three parts of the official USCIS 2025 civics test. At the interview the officer asks up to 20 of the 128 questions, and you need 12 correct answers to pass. Questions marked 65/20 are the 20 that applicants aged 65 or older with 20 or more years as a permanent resident may study instead; they are asked 10 of them and need 6 correct. The 2025 test applies if you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025; earlier filers take the 2008 version.

The questions

125. What is Independence Day?

Accepted answers:

• A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
• The country’s birthday

Independence Day, July 4, marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and is celebrated as the country’s birthday.

126. Name three national U.S. holidays.

65/20 question

Accepted answers:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

The national holidays on the official list are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On the real test you would name three.

127. What is Memorial Day?

Accepted answer:

• A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service

Memorial Day, in late May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Veterans Day, by contrast, honors everyone who has served.

128. What is Veterans Day?

Accepted answers:

• A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
• A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

Veterans Day, November 11, honors everyone who serves or has served in the U.S. armed forces, while Memorial Day remembers those who died in service.

Check yourself

1. What is Independence Day?
2. Name three national U.S. holidays.
3. What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

Ready to try a full test? Start US citizenship civics practice test 1.