Holidays

For Most Americans, Memorial Day Means Summer Is Here

Most Americans still think Memorial Day means summer has arrived, and many of them will be making the most of the holiday.

Most Americans Plan on Visiting Mom Today

Most mothers should expect a visit or a phone call today, even though Mother's Day has slipped in importance in recent years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 64% of American Adults whose mothers are still alive will visit them for Mother’s Day. Another 31% plan on calling their mothers in honor of the day. Just four percent (4%) with living mothers plan on doing neither of those things. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 8-9, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

41% Say Earth Day Has Helped Raise Environmental Awareness

Today is Earth Day, a tradition started in 1970 and one most Americans continue to view as important. But adults remain closely divided over its impact on environmental awareness.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of U.S. Adults believe Earth Day is at least somewhat important, including 29% who consider it Very Important. Thirty-five percent (35%) don’t see much importance in the day, including 13% who say it’s Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in The Rasmussen Challenge? Final results are in - check the leaderboard.   

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 20-21, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

47% Will Attend Religious Service to Celebrate Easter

Belief in the importance of Easter is down slightly, but nearly half of Americans still will attend a religious service to celebrate the holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults consider Easter one of the nation’s most important holidays, down from the mid- to upper 40s for the last several years. Just 18% think it’s one of the least important holidays, and 40% see it as somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

64% Believe Jesus Christ Rose From the Dead

Easter is Sunday, and most Americans still strongly believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on that day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of American Adults believe Jesus rose from the dead, while 19% reject the central Christian tenet of the Resurrection. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

 (Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

41% Will Wear Green to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Many Americans will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today by wearing green or having a drink even though they don’t consider it an important holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults plan to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, but nearly as many (39%) don’t intend to do so. One-in-five (20%) aren't sure yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 13-14, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Lincoln, Washington Both Viewed Favorably This Presidents' Day

Although most Americans don’t consider Presidents’ Day one of the nation’s top holidays, they still look favorably on those it celebrates.

Just seven percent (7%) of American Adults consider Presidents’ Day to be one of the nation’s most important holidays. Thirty-one percent (31%) consider it one of the least important, and 55% think it’s somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

26% Look Forward to Valentine’s Day, 19% Dread It

Valentine’s Day is a day for love, but most Americans aren’t showing much love for the holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just one-in-four Americans (26%) consider Valentine’s Day a day to look forward to. Nineteen percent (19%), on the other hand, dread it, while most (54%) say they don't have strong feelings either way. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 5-6, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Want Dinner With Someone Special For Valentine’s Day

Forget flowers and chocolate. It turns out what most Americans want is dinner with someone special on Valentine’s Day.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of American Adults want dinner with a special someone on February 14, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Eleven percent (11%) would like chocolate most for Valentine’s Day, while seven percent (7%) want flowers. One-in-five (20%), though, are not sure what they’d like most. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 5-6, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

80% View Martin Luther King, Jr. Favorably

Americans still hold strongly favorable views of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults view King favorably, while just 13% hold an unfavorable opinion of him. This includes 47% with a Very Favorable view and four percent (4%) with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 14-15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Rank New Year's Day Low on the List of Holidays

What a difference a week makes. Americans regard Christmas as the nation's most important holiday, while New Year's Day falls a lot lower on the scale. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just seven percent (7%) consider New Year’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays. Twenty-eight percent (28%) consider it one of the least important, while most (62%) rate it somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 22, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Will Ring in 2013 With Prayers, Drinks and Kisses

How will Americans celebrate on New Year’s Eve?

Most (65%) plan to be awake at midnight when we bid farewell to 2012 and welcome in 2013.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% are at least somewhat likely to watch the ball drop in New York’s Times Square on television to ring in the New Year, including 41% who are Very Likely to do so. But 35% say they are not likely to watch the ball drop , with 12% who say it's Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 22, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

60% Celebrate Christmas As Religious Holiday

Merry Christmas. Today is one of America’s most celebrated holidays although the celebration takes many forms and has different meanings for different people. Seventy-six percent (76%) of those who celebrate opened Christmas presents this morning. Nineteen percent (19%) opened them last night.

Sixty percent (60%) of Americans celebrate Christmas primarily as a religious holiday. To Christians, it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Fifty-seven percent (57%) will attend a religious service during the holiday season. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 21, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

42% Waited Till Final Weekend to Finish Holiday Shopping

If the stores seemed a little crowded the past few days, it’s partly because an amazing 42% of Americans had not finished their holiday shopping heading into the final weekend before Christmas.

In fact, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 20% waited until the final weekend to begin their shopping. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 21, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

46% Consider the Holiday Season Joyous, 42% Stressful

As Christmas nears, adults remain closely divided as to whether they find the holidays joyous or stressful, but most still aren't having trouble getting in the holiday spirit.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults consider the holiday season joyous. Nearly as many (42%) find the season stressful instead. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure how they feel about the season. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Will Send Cards, Go to a Party This Christmas Season

Parties are a highlight of this Christmas season for many people, but traditional caroling isn’t nearly as popular.

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of American Adults celebrate Christmas in their family, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Sixty percent (60%) plan to attend a Christmas party this year.

Fifty-four percent (54%) will send out Christmas cards.

But just nine percent (9%) say they will go Christmas caroling.

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

29% Have Finished Their Holiday Shopping

The countdown continues: 12 shopping days left until Christmas, and 32% of American Adults still have not begun their holiday gift shopping yet.

Sixty-four percent (64%) have started their shopping by now, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up from 59% a week ago and 32% in mid-November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

76% Think Christmas Should Be About Jesus, Not Santa

Should Christmas be more about Jesus Christ or Santa Claus? It may seem hard to tell looking at the popular culture, but Americans overwhelmingly think the emphasis should be on Jesus.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults believe Christmas should be more about Jesus. Only 14% think it should be more about Santa, but another 10% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 29-30, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

15% Plan to Give More to Charity This Holiday Season

Americans will be giving more to charity this holiday season compared to last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 15% of American Adults plan to give more to charity, while 33% intend to give less. Forty-seven percent (47%) say their rate of charitable giving will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 3-4, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

15% Have Finished Their Holiday Shopping

Now that December’s here, Americans are getting more in the mood for shopping.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults now have started their holiday shopping, up from 47% a week ago and 32% in mid-November. Thirty-seven percent (37%) still haven’t started shopping yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 3-4, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.