1.   Although Thailand does not have an official holiday for the lunar, or Chinese, new year, many businesses close and pay staff bonuses.

2.   A hit could emerge on Friday, the start of the official holiday shopping season.

3.   California this year became the first state to honor Chavez with an official paid holiday.

4.   Christmas was this year, once again, made an official holiday.

5.   Few are official national holidays, said Chase editor Sandy Whiteley.

6.   For example, he said church leaders were consulted in December before the Cuban government announced the reinstatement of Christmas as an official holiday.

7.   It is the only state without an official holiday marking the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

8.   The best holiday is the official San Francisco holiday of Halloween, which we pretty much celebrate year-round.

9.   The day after Thanksgiving launches the official holiday selling season.

10.   The presidential press office announced Monday that Yeltsin went on official holiday at an official residence outside Moscow.