states observe good friday as a public holiday
Good Friday In the United States, Good Friday is not a government holiday at the federal level; however, individual states, counties and municipalities may observe the holiday. Good Friday is a state holiday in Connecticut,[76] Delaware,[77] Florida,[78] Hawaii,[79] Indiana,[80] Kentucky (half day),[81] Louisiana,[82] New Jersey,[83] North Carolina,[84] North Dakota,[85] Tennessee[86] and Texas.[87][88] State and local government offices and courts are closed, as well as some banks and post offices in these states, and in those counties and municipalities where Good Friday is observed as a holiday. Good Friday is also a holiday in the U.S. territories of Guam,[89] U.S. Virgin Islands[90] and Puerto Rico.[91]
National Day of Prayer The modern law formalizing its annual observance was enacted in 1952, although earlier days of fasting and prayer had been established by the Second Continental Congress from 1775 until 1783, and by President John Adams in 1798 and 1799.[3][4] Thomas Jefferson established a day of prayer and thanksgiving, but this occurred while he served as governor of Virginia.[5]