This morning, Apple CEO Tim Cook sent a memo to all employees to recognize Apple’s September accomplishments and the products still in the pipeline. Cook also announced that Apple employees will receive extended vacation time for the November Thanksgiving holiday, which is an offer that Cook has extended in previous years. “This month has been one for the record books,” Cook wrote in the email, highlighting the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8, Apple Pay, and the preview of the Apple Watch.

“Each of these introductions represents years of innovation and hard work by teams all across Apple,” according to Cook. “Many of you have put the best work of your lives into these amazing new products, which bring together world-class hardware, software and services in the way only Apple can,” he added. Cook also acknowledged the teams working on Apple’s efforts in user privacy, the environment, climate change, and improving educational materials and services for students.

With all that in mind, Cook tells employees that “without you, none of these accomplishments would have been possible. Our people are the soul of our company, and we all need time to refresh and renew.” So, he’s “happy to announce that [Apple is] extending the Thanksgiving holiday this year. [Apple] will shut down with pay on November 24, 25 and 26 so our teams can enjoy the whole week off.” Of course, while many Cupertino-based employees will get the week off, retail and AppleCare assets will need to be on call. So, those teams will get the same days off at a later point.

The full email from Cook to employees is available to read below:

Team, This month has been one for the record books. Just two weeks ago, we launched the biggest advancements in iPhone history with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which our customers absolutely love. We introduced Apple Pay, a new service which will make mobile payments easier, more secure and more private. And we previewed the next chapter in Apple’s story with Apple Watch, our most personal device ever and one which has already captured the world’s imagination. Our customers are enjoying new ways to use their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 8’s intuitive new features, and the ground-breaking security of iOS 8 has demonstrated our strong commitment to protecting users’ privacy. Coming up this fall is OS X Yosemite, with continuity features that deliver an even more fluid experience across all our iOS devices and Macs. Each of these introductions represents years of innovation and hard work by teams all across Apple. Many of you have put the best work of your lives into these amazing new products, which bring together world-class hardware, software and services in the way only Apple can. This is what we do best, and the result transforms people’s lives. It’s simply inspiring. I am also incredibly inspired and proud of all of our work to protect the environment, advance human rights, and change the way teachers teach and students learn. Without you, none of these accomplishments would have been possible. Our people are the soul of our company, and we all need time to refresh and renew. To provide that time, and to recognize all of these achievements — as well as your boundless talent and dedication — I’m happy to announce that we’re extending the Thanksgiving holiday this year. We will shut down with pay on November 24, 25 and 26 so our teams can enjoy the whole week off. Retail, AppleCare, and several other teams will continue to serve our customers over those days, but will receive the same amount of time off at a date that’s best for them. Please check with your manager for details. International teams will schedule vacation days when appropriate for their country. Enjoy the extra time off with your families and loved ones. You’ve earned it! Tim

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