Christmas is recognized even by people who are not Christians. The Communists who run Czechoslovakia, for instance, despise all religions; but Christmas is still a legal holiday there. Sometimes the Communist officials in Czechoslovakia appear to be confused about how Christmas fits into the days of the week. One year they released these holiday instructions to the workers:
Because Christmas Eve will fall on a Thursday, that day will be considered a Saturday for work purposes. Factories will be closed all day, although stores will remain closed a half day only. Friday, December 25, will be considered a Sunday, with both factories and stores open all day. Monday, December 28, will be a Wednesday for work purposes. Wednesday will be a business Friday. Saturday will be a Sunday, and Sunday will be a Monday.