Legal Time and Holidays

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 8, ch. 4
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-101 Legal holidays; dismissal of schools.

(a) The following days are legal holidays in and for the state of Wyoming: (i) New Year's Day, January 1; (ii) Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays, to be observed on the third Monday in February; (iii) Memorial Day, to be observed on the last Monday in May; (iv) Independence Day, July 4; (v) Labor Day, to be observed on the first Monday in September; (vi) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 21, § 2. (vii) Veterans Day, November 11; (viii) Thanksgiving Day, to be observed on the fourth Thursday in November; (ix) Christmas Day, December 25; (x) Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 180, § 1. (xi) Upon declaration by the governor of this state, any date appointed or declared by the president of the United States as an occasion of national mourning, rejoicing or observance of national emergency; (xii) Martin Luther King, Jr., Wyoming Equality Day, to be observed on the third Monday in January. (b) If New Year's Day, Independence Day, Christmas Day or Veterans Day fall upon a Sunday, the Monday following is a legal holiday. (c) On Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Wyoming Equality Day and all days upon which general elections are held, the public schools of any district shall not be dismissed except by order of the board of trustees of the district, but proper exercises may be held in the schools on these days to emphasize their significance and importance.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-102 Arbor Day.

(a) The state forester shall promote the following activities to commemorate Arbor Day, the last Monday in April: (i) A tree shall be planted on state grounds in a simple ceremony; (ii) The planting of a seedling tree or some other act may be performed in an appropriate ceremony in the schools of Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-103 Wyoming Day.

(a) In recognition of the action of the Wyoming territorial governor on December 10, 1869, in approving the first law found anywhere in legislative history which extends the right of suffrage to women, December 10 of each year is designated as "Wyoming Day." The day shall be observed in the schools, clubs and similar groups by appropriate exercises commemorating the history of the territory and state and the lives of its pioneers, and by fostering in all ways the loyalty and good citizenship of its people. (b) The governor, not later than December 1 of each year, shall issue a proclamation requesting the proper observance of "Wyoming Day" as outlined in subsection (a) of this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-104 Nellie Tayloe Ross's birthday.

(a) In recognition of the services to the state of Wyoming of Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman governor of any state in the United States, Nellie Tayloe Ross's birthday, November 29, is designated a public holiday. The day shall be appropriately observed in the public schools of the state. (b) This section, however, shall not be construed to affect commercial paper, the making or execution of agreements in writing or judicial proceedings, or to authorize schools, businesses or public offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-105 Native American Day.

(a) In recognition of the North American Indian, the second Friday in May is designated as "Native American Day". The day shall be appropriately observed in the public schools of the state, by state and local government and by organizations within the state. (b) The governor, not later than April 15 of each year, shall issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of "Native American Day". (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of written agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, businesses or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-106 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

(a) In recognition of the members of the armed forces who lost their lives and those who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, territory of Hawaii on December 7, 1941, December 7 of each year is designated as "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day". The day shall be appropriately observed in the public schools of the state. (b) The governor, not later than September 1 of each year, shall issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day". (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of written agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, businesses or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-107 Juneteenth holiday.

(a) In celebration of the end of slavery in the United States proclaimed by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865 more than two and one-half (2½) years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln, and in recognition of those who died and sacrificed to achieve the end of slavery, the Juneteenth holiday is established. (b) The Juneteenth holiday shall be celebrated each year with appropriate activities on the third Saturday of June. (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of written agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, business or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-108 Veterans Day.

(a) In recognition of the many Wyoming citizens who have served in the armed forces of this country, November 11 of each year is designated as "Veterans Day." The day shall be appropriately observed in the public schools of the state and by organizations within the state. (b) The governor, not later than November 1 of each year, shall issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of Veterans Day and requesting military and veterans' organizations to work with the boards of all Wyoming school districts to conduct proper exercises in observation of the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-109 Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home Day.

(a) In recognition of the members of the United States armed forces who served bravely and faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War, and to all those members of the United States armed forces who were not properly thanked or welcomed home following their military service, March 30 of each year is designated as "Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home Day." The day shall be appropriately observed in the public schools of the state and by organizations within the state. Additionally, it is recommended that Wyoming communities host "Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home Day" celebrations to ensure those members of the United States armed forces can be properly thanked and welcomed home. (b) The governor, not later than March 20 of each year, shall issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home Day and requesting military and veterans' organizations to work with Wyoming school districts to observe the contributions and sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and other veterans. (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of written agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, business or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-110 Agent Orange Health Awareness Month.

(a) In recognition of those who have been exposed to Agent Orange and as many as five (5) future generations who may also suffer from a number of deleterious health effects associated with the toxic dioxin in Agent Orange, and in recognition that because more than nineteen million (19,000,000) gallons of herbicide was sprayed throughout South Vietnam, with Agent Orange accounting for approximately eleven million (11,000,000) gallons, causing the United States department of veterans affairs to presume that all veterans who served in Vietnam were exposed, the month of August of each year is designated as "Agent Orange Health Awareness Month." The month may be appropriately observed in the public schools of the state and by organizations within the state. The legislature recommends that Wyoming communities host programs during Agent Orange Health Awareness Month to encourage all Vietnam veterans and their offspring who have not already done so to seek proper health screening and to educate the general population of Wyoming about the Vietnam War era, Agent Orange and the health effects of Agent Orange. (b) The governor, not later than July 10 of each year, shall issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of Agent Orange Health Awareness Month and requesting healthcare, military and veterans' organizations to work with Wyoming school districts and communities to encourage health screenings and observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. (c) The Wyoming veterans' commission, in conjunction with the United States department of veterans affairs, shall develop and publicize a campaign during the month of August to encourage Wyoming Vietnam veterans and their families to register with the United States department of veterans affairs Agent Orange registry health exam. The Wyoming veterans' commission may encourage Wyoming Vietnam veterans to schedule and take the Agent Orange registry health exam. The Wyoming veterans' commission shall also develop and publicize an outreach campaign to notify Wyoming Vietnam veterans of changes to the presumptive medical conditions associated with Agent Orange as recognized by the United States department of veterans affairs.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-111 Purple Heart Day.

(a) In recognition of the purple heart as the oldest United States military decoration in present use, created as the badge of military merit in 1782 by General George Washington, and in recognition that the purple heart is specifically awarded to members of the United States armed forces including Wyoming citizens who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat, August 7 of each year is designated as "Purple Heart Day." The day shall be appropriately observed by state and local governments and by organizations within the state. (b) The Wyoming veterans' commission shall work with military and veterans' organizations and Wyoming communities to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs. (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of written agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, business or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-112 Estelle Reel Day.

(a) In recognition of Estelle Reel, the first woman elected and to hold the office of state superintendent of public instruction in Wyoming and the second woman elected and to hold a statewide office in the United States, January 7 of each year is designated as "Estelle Reel Day." The day shall be appropriately observed by state and local governments and may be observed in the public schools of the state and by organizations within the state. (b) The governor shall, in advance of January 7 of each year, issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of "Estelle Reel Day." (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize schools, businesses or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-113 Wyoming Cowboy and Cowgirl Legacy Week.

(a) The third calendar week of September is declared to be "Wyoming Cowboy and Cowgirl Legacy Week". (b) Wyomingites are encouraged to observe Wyoming Cowboy and Cowgirl Legacy Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. (c) The Wyoming department of education shall encourage schools and teachers to commemorate Wyoming Cowboy and Cowgirl Legacy Week through appropriate activities, including study of the Code of the West and cowboy and cowgirl related history and literature. (d) The University of Wyoming is encouraged to continue to promote and safeguard the cowboy and cowgirl as an emblematic symbol of Wyoming and instill students with knowledge of cowboy and cowgirl values.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-114 Public lands day.

(a) In tribute to the importance of public lands in the state, to acknowledge the multiple use of public lands and in recognition of the value of public lands to the state's economy, open spaces, diversity of mineral, grazing and forestry resources, wildlife and recreational opportunities, the fourth Saturday in September of each year is designated as "public lands day" and appropriate observance may be held by the public and in all public schools of the state. (b) Not later than September 1 of each year, the governor is authorized to issue a proclamation requesting the proper observance of "Public Lands Day." (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of written agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, business or state and local government offices to close. (d) As used in this section, "public lands" means all federal and state public lands. "Public lands" shall not include state trust lands managed for the benefit of Wyoming's public schools and institutions.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-115 Mountain daylight time. {Note: Contingently effective, see effective date note.}

(a) The year-round observed time of the entire state of Wyoming and all of the state's political subdivisions is mountain daylight time. Wyoming exempts all areas of the state from mountain standard time. (b) As used in this section: (i) "Mountain daylight time" means the period during a year when mountain standard time is advanced one (1) hour in accordance with 15 U.S.C. § 260a; (ii) "Mountain standard time" means the observed time assigned to the mountain time zone in 15 U.S.C. § 261.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-116 Moon Landing Day.

(a) In recognition of American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin becoming the first humans to land and walk on the moon on July 20, 1969 and the men and women who aided the astronauts in landing on the moon and returning home safely, including Michael Collins who piloted the command module, July 20 of each year is designated as "Moon Landing Day." The day shall be appropriately observed by state and local government and by organizations within the state. (b) The governor may, in advance of July 20 of each year, issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of "Moon Landing Day." (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, businesses or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-117 Wyoming Reads Day.

(a) In recognition of the citizens of Wyoming who are dedicated to the importance of early childhood literacy, the third Tuesday in May is designated as "Wyoming Reads Day." The day shall be appropriately observed in the public schools of the state, by state and local governments and by organizations within the state. The legislature recommends that Wyoming communities hold "Wyoming Reads Day" celebrations to advance the cause of childhood literacy and encourage early enthusiasm for reading. (b) The governor shall, in advance of the third Tuesday in May of each year, issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of "Wyoming Reads Day." (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, businesses or state and local government offices to close.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 8-4-118 Wyoming Wednesday.

(a) In celebration of the state of Wyoming and in an effort to bring unity to the state's communities, the second Wednesday of every month shall be known as "Wyoming Wednesday – Brown and Gold Day". Wyoming citizens may wear brown and gold in recognition of Wyoming Wednesday. (b) The governor, not later than July 10, 2025, and not more than once each year thereafter in advance of a Wyoming Wednesday, shall issue a proclamation requesting proper observance of "Wyoming Wednesday – Brown and Gold Day" as outlined in subsection (a) of this section. (c) This section shall not affect commercial paper, the making or execution of written agreements or judicial proceedings, or authorize public schools, businesses or state and local government offices to close.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title08.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026