the year: If the year is a common year starting on Sunday or a leap year starting on Saturday, Columbus Day is on October 9. If the year is a common year starting on Monday or a leap year starting on Sunday, Columbus Day is on October 8. If the year is a common year starting on Tuesday or a leap year starting on Monday, Columbus Day is on October 14. If the year is a common year starting on Wednesday or a leap year starting on Tuesday, Columbus Day is on October 13. If the year is a common year starting on Thursday or a leap year starting on Wednesday, Columbus Day is on October 12. If the year is a common year starting on Friday or a leap year starting on Thursday, Columbus Day is on October 11. If the year is a common year starting on Saturday or a leap year starting on Friday, Columbus Day is on October 10. Season-based It is often believed that when the United States was a primarily agrarian society, children were needed during the Northern Hemisphere summer months for farm labor. However, there is little evidence supporting this, with 19th-century rural schools more typically favoring a summer academic term and more vacation time during spring and autumn. Summer is still a popular time for family vacations, and most have a two or three-month summer vacation. The academic year typically runs from August or early September until the end of May or early June, depending on the length of the year and number of the holiday, vacation, and snow days occurring during the year. The year is divided into two semesters, three trimesters or four quarters, typically with a report card issued to students' parents at the end of each. An academic year typically includes a fall and spring semester, with a shorter optional summer session. Many also have a short optional winter session. Some operate on a trimester calendar. Continuing education classes (often available at community colleges and private "boot camp" style schools) are often shorter and start throughout the year with no particular seasonality. October Break – Usually lasts for one week in October (in the week of Columbus Day). See Columbus Day above. Mid-Winter or February Break – One week in February (usually at or around President's Day) or March (depending on the region). Spring Vacation or Break –