Closing of Federal Government Executive Departments and Agencies on Monday, December 24, 2001

This executive order closes all federal executive branch departments and agencies on Monday, December 24, 2001, giving federal employees the day off before Christmas, with exceptions allowed for national security, defense, or other public needs. The day is treated as a legal holiday for purposes of federal employee pay and leave.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 63903

Impact dates

Dec 24, 2001
Federal government closure takes effect

Key directives

All executive branch departments and agencies closed December 24, 2001
Employees excused from duty December 24, 2001
Agency heads may exempt certain offices/employees for national security, defense, or other public reasons
December 24, 2001 treated as holiday under EO 11582 and 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b) for pay and leave purposes

Who is ordered

heads of executive branch departments and agencies · various executive branch departments and agencies

Timeline

Immediate

EO issued December 5, 2001

Near term (90d)

Closure takes effect December 24, 2001

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Minimal tension; routine holiday closure
Post-9/11 context (3 months after attacks) makes national security exemption clause notable though unexceptional