|
American Holidays
The following are holidays that we celebrate in the United
States:
New Years Eve and New Years Day
New Years Day is the first day of the year, January 1st. It is a
celebration of the old year and the new one to come. People make New
Years Resolutions each New Years and promise themselves that they will
keep this resolution until next year.
New Years Eve is a major social event. Clubs everywhere are packed
with party-goers who stay out all night and go nuts at midnight. At
midnight it is a tradition to make lots of noise. The traditional New
Years Ball is dropped every year in Times Square in New York City at
12 o’clock. This event can be seen all over the world on television.
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day is a day that is set aside to promote the idea
of "love". It is celebrated on February 14th. People send greeting
cards or gifts to loved ones and friends to show them that they care.
Easter
Easter is a major Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection
of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and
April 25. The 40 days leading up to Easter are observed as Lent.
Besides the religious aspects of Easter, people also celebrate spring
or the signs of new life. Flowers are seen everywhere. There are
often Easter Parades such as the one in New York City where people
dress up in their new spring clothes. Children receive Easter baskets
filled with candy Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and jelly beans! The
dying of eggs with food color is also an Easter tradition in many
American families.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a legal holiday that takes place every year on the
last Monday in May. Memorial Day is in honor of the nation’s armed
forces who were killed defending their country in war. Memorial Day
was originally called Decoration Day. It is celebrated with parades,
memorial speeches and ceremonies, and the decoration of graves with
flowers and flags. Memorial Day is a indication or reminder that
summer is on its way. Many small towns in America celebrate memorial
day in their own special way. In our town, we have a small fair with
barbequed chicken, rides for the children and a special fireworks
display. Memorial Day is also the traditional day for people to open
up their swimming pools!
Independence Day
Independence Day (fourth of July) is celebrated every year in the
U.S. on July 4th. It commemorates the signing of the Declaration of
Independence. The first Independence Day was celebrated in
Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This is when the declaration was read
aloud. Parades, patriotic speeches, fireworks and pageants are all
ways of celebrating today. Many families celebrate the Fourth of July
by having picnics and going to the beach. You will also find
fireworks being displayed in many towns and cities across America on
the Fourth of July!
Labor Day
Labor Day is a legal holiday celebrated on the first Monday in
September. The celebration of Labor Day is in honor of the working
class. Parades are held throughout the cities and towns of the United
States. Generally, Labor Day is the last day of summer celebrations.
It is a signal to students across the country that school is ready to
begin again!
Arbor Day
Arbor Day In Latin, arbor means "tree". In the Unites States Arbor
Day is a tree-planting day to beautify your towns or to forest empty
areas of land. Most public schools celebrate Arbor Day in order to
teach about protecting our forests, but in some states it is a legal
holiday.
Halloween
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st. "The observances connected
with Halloween are thought to have originated among the ancient
Druids, who believed that on that evening, Saman, the lord of the
dead, called forth hosts of evil spirits." (Encarta 96)
In the United States you will find many children dressed in costumes
on Halloween. They walk from door to door collecting candy. The
chant "trick or treat" is heard throughout the neighborhood. There is
really no signifcance for most people in the US associated with
Halloween, other than it is fun to dress in costumes, go to parties,
play spooky music, and collect candy!
Veterans Day
Veterans Day used to be called Armistice Day. It is a holiday
observed every year in the United States to honor all the men and
women who served with the U.S. armed forces during the wars. It is
observed either on November 11th or on the fourth Monday of October.
Americans display an American Flag outside their homes Banks,
offices, and schools are usually closed.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day was first celebrated in colonial times in New
England. When the Pilgrims landed their ships at Plymouth Rock in the
year 1621, they needed the help of the neighboring Native Americans to
learn how to plant crops and grow food. After they had completed
their first harvest, the Pilgrims had a feast with the Indians (Native
Americans) to celebrate their friendships. This was called "The First
Thanksgiving".
Thanksgiving is still celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday
of November, usually with a feast of turkey, stuffing, corn, mashed
potatoes and other foods. A favorite side-dish of many families is
cranberry sauce and cranberry relish. Thanksgiving is a time for
each person to think of what and who they are thankful for.
Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ.
There are many traditions associated with Christmas that individual
families brought with them when they came to the United States.
Americans bring evergreen trees trimmed with lights and ornaments into
their homes. "The use of a Christmas tree began early in the 17th
century, in Strasbourg, France, spreading from there through Germany
and then into northern Europe. In 1841 Albert, prince consort of Queen
Victoria, introduced the Christmas tree custom to Great Britain; from
there it accompanied immigrants to the United States”.(Encarta '96)
Besides the many religious ceremonies and songs celebrated throughout
the United States, many American children wait excitedly for Santa
Claus to arrive on Christmas Eve and leave presents under the
Christmas tree. Christmas has become known as a time for friendship,
giving, and cheer. Many Americans wish this goodwill could continue
throughout the entire year!
|