Holidays

82% Favor Celebrating At Least Some Religious Holidays in School

Despite continuing legal challenges, more adults than ever favor the celebration of all religions in the public schools. Most also still believe religious displays should be permitted on public land.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of American adults think at least some religious holidays should be celebrated in public school. That includes 50% who believe all religious holidays should be celebrated. Just 15% think public schools should not recognize any religious holidays.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

64% Will Decorate Their Home for the Holidays

Most Americans plan to decorate their homes again this holiday season, but the majority still haven’t started yet.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of American Adults say they will decorate this year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That finding that has shown little change over the past few years.  Thirty percent (30%) will not decorate this holiday season.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 25-26, 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.

18% Plan To Travel This Holiday Weekend

The Thanksgiving weekend is one of the biggest travel times of the year, but for most Americans, it’s still a stay-at-home holiday.

Nearly one-out-of-five Adults (18%) are planning to travel away from home this Thanksgiving, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-seven percent (77%) are definitely not traveling, but five percent (5%) still haven’t made up their minds. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Given the holiday week, there will be no Rasmussen Challenge  this week. The contest will resume on Tuesday, November 27.

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This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 20, 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.

51% Regard Thanksgiving As One of Most Important Holidays

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Americans now consider Thanksgiving to be one of the nation’s most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.

As it has for years, Thanksgiving ranks just below Christmas and the Fourth of July in terms of top holidays. It rates above Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Easter. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Given the holiday week, there will be no Rasmussen Challenge  this week. The contest will resume on Tuesday, November 27.

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This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 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.

Americans Feel A Bit More Generous This Holiday Season

Americans plan to be a little less tight with their money this gift-giving season.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults say they will spend less on gifts than they did last year.  But that's down from 62% this time last year, 58% in 2010 and 71% in 2009.

Still, only 13% of Americans plan to spend more on gifts, up just slightly from last year. Thirty-one percent (31%) will spend about the same amount, but that's up eight points from 23% a year ago.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 13-14, 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.

Only 43% Think Halloween Is Just for Kids

Tonight’s the night for ghouls and goblins again.

More Americans are dressing up for Halloween (22%) and decorating their houses for the holiday (37%) than a year ago, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Adults under 40 are much more likely to dress up and decorate than their elders.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 26-27, 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.

52% Celebrate Labor Day As Unofficial End of Summer

Labor Day was originally meant as a day to celebrate the nation's work force, but more than half of Americans continue to see it more as an unofficial end to summer.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 35% celebrate Labor Day as a holiday honoring the contribution of workers in society. Fifty-two percent (52%) celebrate the federal holiday as the unofficial end of summer. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 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.

84% Are Proud To Be Americans

Most adults in this country are proud to call themselves Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 84% of Adults feel that way. Just seven percent (7%) don't share that pride in being American, but another nine percent (9%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

64% Rate Fourth of July As One of America's Most Important Holidays

Americans continue to consider the Fourth of July one of the nation’s most important holidays, and they plan to celebrate with friends and family again this year.

As they have for in surveys for years, most American Adults (64%) rate Independence Day as one of the country’s most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. It's second, in fact, only to Christmas. Just two percent (2%) say it is one of the least important holidays, while a third (33%) think it’s somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This nationwide survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 2, 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 continue to consider the Fourth of July one of the nation’s most important holidays, and they plan to celebrate with friends and family again this year.

53% Say America Nation With Liberty, Justice For All

To display their loyalty to the United States, Americans recite the Pledge of Allegiance, ending with the key phrase “with liberty and justice for all.”  But just over half of Americans actually believe that to be true. That said, a lot more wouldn't live anywhere else in the world.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of American Adults agree that the United States is a nation with liberty and justice for all, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Forty percent (40%) disagree and say the United States is not like that.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 2, 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.

74% Know July Fourth Celebrates Adoption of the Declaration of Independence

Most Americans correctly identify the Fourth of July as the day the nation ratified the Declaration of Independence, but they cannot accurately identify one of the founding document's key provisions. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults say the Fourth of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Nine percent (9%) feel Independence Day celebrates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, but another 17% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 30-July 1, 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.

17% Think Father’s Day Is One of America’s Most Important Holidays

Father’s Day still ranks pretty low in terms of the nation’s holidays, but Americans continue to feel strongly that being a father is the most important role a man can fill.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% of American Adults consider Father’s Day one of America’s most important holidays. Twenty-three percent (23%) rate it as one of the least important holidays, while 59% place it somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This nationwide survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 14-15, 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.

49% Consider Memorial Day One of the Most Important Holidays

Nearly half of Americans continue to rank Memorial Day as one of the nation’s most important holidays.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of American Adults consider it one of the least important holidays, but 44% see it as somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 U.S. Adults was conducted on May 23-24, 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.

45% Have Close Friend or Relative Who Died Serving Country

As Americans this Memorial Day weekend remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, many adults nationwide will be remembering someone they knew personally. A sizable number also personally know someone who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 45% have a close friend or relative who has given his or her life while serving in the military. Forty percent (40%) have close friends or relatives currently serving in Afghanistan. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 23-24, 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.

77% Plan To Visit Mom on Mother’s Day

Most Americans whose mothers are still alive plan to honor them today with an in-person visit, but only one-in-four of all adults (27%) consider Mother’s Day one of the country’s most important holidays.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 10% consider it the one of the least important holidays, while 58% say it falls somewhere in between.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This nationwide survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 9-10, 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.

23% Will Do Something Special To Celebrate Earth Day

Today marks the 43rd annual Earth Day, and while most Americans considers the day important, they still aren’t convinced it helps raise environmental awareness.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of American Adults believe Earth Day, celebrated since 1970, is at least somewhat important. Thirty-nine percent (39%) view it as unimportant. These findings include 32% who consider Earth Day Very Important and 11% who say it’s Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 17-18, 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.

48% Believe Easter One of Most Important Holidays

Today is Easter, and most Americans will find a way to celebrate.

Roughly half of American adults (48%) consider Easter one of the nation's most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fourteen percent (14%) see it as one of the least important, while 37% rank it somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 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.

77% Believe Jesus Rose From the Dead

This Easter weekend, Americans’ belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ remains strong.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of American Adults believe the person known to history as Jesus Christ walked the Earth 2,000 years ago. Just seven percent (7%) don’t share this belief. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 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.

8% Rate St. Patrick’s Day As An Important Holiday

More Americans than ever consider St. Patrick’s Day one of the nation’s least important holidays, but a sizable number still plan to wear green. One-in four will have an alcoholic drink to celebrate. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that just eight percent (8%) feel St. Patrick’s Day is one of the nation’s most important holidays.  Fifty-seven percent (57%) consider the holiday one of the least important, while another 32% say it’s somewhere in between.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 14-15, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

40% Consider Reagan Most Influential President Of Last 50 Years

Americans continue to believe Ronald Reagan is the most influential president of the last half century, but they are a bit more divided over which president should be next in line to be honored by a federal holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 40% regard Reagan as the most influential president of the past 50 years. Bill Clinton is a distant second with 16%, closely followed by John F. Kennedy with 14%. Barack Obama, who is making his first appearance in this question, comes in fourth with 11%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Just five percent (5%) say Richard Nixon was most influential, followed by Lyndon B. Johnson (4%). Both Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush are seen as the most influential by three percent (3%), while just one percent (1%) see George H.W. Bush that way.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 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.