Public Holidays

NMSA 1978 ch. 12, art. 5

in effect

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-1 [Arbor Day; establishment; observance.]

12-5-1. [Arbor Day; establishment; observance.] The second Friday in March of each year shall be set apart and known as Arbor Day, to be observed by the people of this state in the planting of forest trees for the benefit and adornment of public and private grounds, places and ways, and in such other efforts and undertakings as shall be in harmony with the general character of the day so established; provided, that the actual planting of trees may be done on the day designated or at such other most convenient times as may best conform to local climatic conditions, such other time to be designated and due notice thereof given by the several county superintendents of schools for their respective counties. The day as above designated shall be a holiday in all public schools of the state, and school officers and teachers are required to have the schools, under their respective charge, observe the day by planting of trees or other appropriate exercises. Annually, at the proper season, the governor shall issue a proclamation, calling the attention of the people to the provisions of this section and recommending and enjoining its due observance. The respective county superintendents of schools shall also promote by all proper means the observance of the day, and the said county superintendents of schools shall make annual reports to the governor of the state of the action taken in this behalf in their respective counties. Laws 1891, ch. 35, §§ 1-3; C.L. 1897, § 1625a; Code 1915, § 2726; C.S. 1929, § 65-101; 1941 Comp., § 59-101; 1953 Comp., § 56-1-1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-2 Legal holidays; designation

12-5-2. Legal holidays; designation Legal public holidays in New Mexico are: A. New Year's day, January 1; B. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, third Monday in January; C. Washington's and Lincoln's birthday, President's day, third Monday in February; D. Memorial day, last Monday in May; E. Independence day, July 4; F. Labor day, first Monday in September; G. Indigenous Peoples' day, second Monday in October; H. Armistice day and Veterans' day, November 11; I. Thanksgiving day, fourth Thursday in November; and J. Christmas day, December 25. 1953 Comp., § 56-1-2, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 114, § 1; 1971, ch. 98, § 1; 1975, ch. 13, § 1; 1987, ch. 3, § 1; 1987, ch. 309, § 1; 2019, ch. 123, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-3 Legal holidays; Sundays; effect on commercial paper

12-5-3. Legal holidays; Sundays; effect on commercial paper A. Whenever a legal public holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is a legal public holiday. B. Any bill, check or note presentable for acceptance or payment on a legal public holiday or on a Sunday is payable and presentable for acceptance or payment on the next business day after the legal public holiday or Sunday. 1953 Comp., § 56-1-3, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 114, § 2.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-4 [August 3rd designated Ernie Pyle Day.]

12-5-4. [August 3rd designated Ernie Pyle Day.] In appreciation of the splendid work as a writer and war correspondent, and the great credit reflected upon the state of New Mexico by Ernie Pyle, one of her outstanding citizens, his birthday, August 3rd, of each year, is hereby designated as Ernie Pyle Day, upon which appropriate ceremonies shall be held in his honor and in honor of all members of the armed forces of the United States serving so valiantly in the present world war [World War II]. 1941 Comp., § 59-107, enacted by Laws 1945, ch. 30, § 1; 1953 Comp., § 56-1-4.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-5 [Onate Day.]

12-5-5. [Onate Day.] The governor shall designate for the benefit of the state of New Mexico in connection with an annual celebration held in the Espanola valley each year during the month of July, a day during said month to be known as Onate Day. 1941 Comp., § 59-108, enacted by Laws 1949, ch. 85, § 2; 1953 Comp., § 56-1-5.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-6 American History Month

12-5-6. American History Month The month of February is designated "American History Month." 1953 Comp., § 56-1-6, enacted by Laws 1971, ch. 10, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-7 Bataan Day

12-5-7. Bataan Day In honor of the brave and patriotic New Mexicans composing the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery Regiments (anti-aircraft) who served in the Philippine Islands during World War Two, fighting insuperable odds and enduring every deprivation, and who, following surrender, entered upon a tragic "death march," the day of April 9 is designated "Bataan Day." 1953 Comp., § 56-1-6.1, enacted by Laws 1971, ch. 63, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-9 American Indian day

12-5-9. American Indian day The first Friday of February of each year shall be set apart and be known as "American Indian day", in recognition of the many contributions of the American Indians to the economic and cultural heritage of all the citizens of the United States. This day shall be observed by the people of New Mexico in such efforts and undertakings as shall be in harmony with the general character of the day so established. Laws 1987, ch. 24, § 1; 2005, ch. 261, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-10 [Guadalupe-Hidalgo treaty day.]

12-5-10. [Guadalupe-Hidalgo treaty day.] February 2 of each year shall be set apart and known as "Guadalupe Hidalgo treaty day" in recognition and commemoration of the day in 1848 on which the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits and Settlement, commonly known as the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, was executed between the United States and the Mexican Republic. Laws 1997, ch. 77, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-11 Family day

12-5-11. Family day The governor shall proclaim the second Sunday in September of each year as "Family Day". Suitable exercises for the observance of the day shall be held in the state capitol and elsewhere as the governor designates. Laws 1999, ch. 50, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-12 African-American day

12-5-12. African-American day The second Friday of February of each year shall be set apart and be known as "African-American day", in recognition of the many contributions and sacrifices African-Americans have made to ensure the rights of all Americans, so that they may be free and equal citizens and full participants in the governing of the state and the nation. African-American day shall be observed by the people of New Mexico in efforts and undertakings that celebrate the diversity of the cultural heritage of New Mexicans, that recognize that February is Black history month and that are expressions in harmony with the general character of the day so established. Laws 1999, ch. 66, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-13 Hispanic culture day

12-5-13. Hispanic culture day The second Tuesday of February of each odd-numbered year shall be known and celebrated as "Hispanic culture day" in recognition of the many contributions, sacrifices and accomplishments of Hispanic people from throughout the world who have built New Mexico into a beautiful and dynamic mosaic of cultural diversity. This day shall be observed with celebrations that honor all past, present and future Hispanic citizens and leaders in ways that enhance relationships among all the people of New Mexico. Laws 2001, ch. 193, § 1; 2003, ch. 3, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-14 Juneteenth Freedom Day established

12-5-14. Juneteenth Freedom Day established The "Juneteenth Freedom Day" is created. It shall be commemorated on the third Saturday in June of each year and be observed by: A. reflecting on the history of African-American slavery in the United States; the experience of Africans brought to the United States in a five- to twelve-week journey across the Atlantic; the deaths of thousands of Africans who died in inhuman conditions of passage; the abuse of African-American slaves, including whipping, castration, branding and rape; the importance of the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States and its territories; and the significance of June 19, 1865, the day on which the message of freedom and abolition reached the western states; and B. recognizing the importance of Americans of African descent as American citizens and New Mexico residents. Laws 2006, ch. 68, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-15 Hemophilia Awareness Day

12-5-15. Hemophilia Awareness Day The governor shall declare the second Monday in June of each year "Hemophilia Awareness Day". Laws 2007, ch. 98, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-16 Firefighter Day of Remembrance

12-5-16. Firefighter Day of Remembrance September 11 of each year shall be set apart and known as "Firefighter Day of Remembrance", celebrating the important, brave and compassionate work of firefighters and honoring all firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty. Laws 2007, ch. 241, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-17 New Mexico Youth Day

12-5-17. New Mexico Youth Day The first Saturday of August of each year shall be set apart and known as "New Mexico Youth Day", celebrating the importance of children in New Mexico. This day shall be observed by the people of New Mexico with activities encouraging parents and guardians to spend time with their children. Laws 2007, ch. 354, § 1 and Laws 2007, ch. 358, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-18 Bataan-Corregidor heritage month

12-5-18. Bataan-Corregidor heritage month The month of April is designated "Bataan-Corregidor heritage month". The month shall be observed by the people of New Mexico in such efforts and undertakings as shall be in harmony with the general character of the month so established. Laws 2013, ch. 2, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-19 Rudolfo Anaya I Love to Read Day

12-5-19. Rudolfo Anaya I Love to Read Day October 30 of each year shall be set apart and known as "Rudolfo Anaya I Love to Read Day" in recognition of the contributions made by Rudolfo Anaya to the culture and literature of New Mexico, of his commitment to the teaching of literature and of the critical need to improve the reading proficiency of New Mexicans, particularly children. "Rudolfo Anaya I Love to Read Day" is designated for the people of New Mexico to celebrate reading, strengthen literacy and undertake efforts and expressions in harmony with the general character of the day. Laws 2019, ch. 166, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-20 Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Day

12-5-20. Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Day The first Tuesday of February of each odd-numbered year shall be known and celebrated as "Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Day" in recognition of the many cultural, economic and historic contributions and sacrifices Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, East Asians, Southeast Asians, South Asians and all other groups who have migrated from, have historical ties to or identify themselves as from Asia have made to New Mexico. This day shall be observed by the people of New Mexico in efforts and undertakings that celebrate the diversity of cultural and linguistic heritage in New Mexico; honor all past, present and future leaders in New Mexico who are Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian and all other groups who have migrated from, have historical ties to or identify themselves as from Asia; and are in harmony with the general character of the day so established. Laws 2023, ch. 6, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-21 Dolores Huerta Day

12-5-21. Dolores Huerta Day April 10 of each year shall be set apart and known as "Dolores Huerta Day", in recognition of the contributions made by labor activist Dolores Huerta, who was born in Dawson, New Mexico, in her work to improve social and economic conditions for farm workers. Dolores Huerta Day is designated for the people of New Mexico to organize as a community and undertake efforts and expressions in harmony with the general character of the day. Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 12-5-22 New Mexico red and green chile month

12-5-22. New Mexico red and green chile month August of each year shall be set apart and known as "Red and Green Chile Month" in recognition of the impact chile has in New Mexico. Chile represents the blending of cultures and traditions that have shaped New Mexico over centuries. The rise from its indigenous roots through its adoption by the Spanish settlers to the chile's current status as a culinary superstar in New Mexico symbolizes the status of New Mexico's unique identity. Furthermore, chile is a vital economic driver, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the agricultural economy of New Mexico. Laws 2025, ch. 134, § 1.

Source: New Mexico Compilation Commission (nmonesource.com)URL: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18512/index.doFetched: 10/20/2026