USA holidays
PLAN :
1. NEW YEAR’S DAY
2. MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY
3. ST VALENTINE’S DAY
4. PRESIDENT’S DAY
5. ST PATRICK’S DAY
6. APRIL FOOL’S DAY
7. EARTH DAY
8. TAKE YOUR DAUGHTER TO WORK DAY
9. EASTER
10. MAY DAY
11. MOTHER’S DAY
12. MEMORIAL DAY
13. FLAG DAY
14. INDEPENDENCE DAY
15. FATHER’S DAY
16. LABOR DAY
17. COLUMBUS DAY
18. HALLOWEEN
19. ELECTION DAY
20. VETERANS DAY
21. THANKSGIVING DAY
22. CHRISTMAS
The population of the USA is made up of people of different
nationalities. Centuries ago they brought with them their native
celebrations. Some holidays which are marked in the US originated
in America. There is no provision for national holidays in the
USA. The number of holiday is different in different states – from
8 in the District of Columbia to 20 in Oklahoma.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Love and
joi come to you,
And to you
your wassail, too !
And God
bless you and send you
A happy
new year !
Although in the United States the official holiday is January
the 1st, the celebration really begins on December 31st. New
Year’s Day is celebrated with parties which last beyond midnight
so that everyone can see in the New Year and watch the Old
Year out. Theatres, night clubs, restaurants are crowded. At 12:00
midnight when the ringing of bells popping of champagne bottles
and fire crackers, and blowing of sirens and whistles announce
the start of New Year. People throw streamers and confetti, shake
hands, exchange kisses and embraces, and wish each other a
“Happy New Year !” Some people gather in the street of big
cities, they ring bells, shoot of guns and firecrackers. January
1st is celebrated with parades in some cities. One of the
noisiest and most crowded of New Year’s Eve celebration take
place in New York City at Time Square. Thousands of New Yorkers
gather there, and millions of Americans across the country join
them by TV.
Following a long, chaotic New Year’s Eve, Americans spend a
quiet New Year Day. In most households everyone sleeps late,
often enjoys meals and TV with the family and friends. Two
famous New Year’s Day festivals are showed for national viewing:
the Tournament of Roses and Mummer’s Parade. Both of these events
have been American traditions for more than half a century.
The Mummer’s Parade, which take place in Philadelphia is a
ten – hour spectacle. It was introduced in the US by Swedish
immigrants. There are clowns, musicians, dancers – all led by King
Momus dressed in bright satin.
The Tournament of Roses take place in Pasadena, California.
Prizes are awarded to the cities with the most unusual and
attractive floral displays. After the parade, the Rose Bowl
football game, a struggle between two top - ranking college
football teams, is played. Those events attract thousands of
tourists and millions of TV viewers.
Besides champagne, streamers and noisemakers, other symbols of
the New Year celebration include a clock or hour glass, an old
man symbolizing the Old year, and a new baby symbolizing the New
year. This may be an allusion to the ancient Roman god Janus,
for whom the month of January is named. Legend has it that
Janus had two faces, one looking into the past, and the other
looking into the future. This certainly personifies the sentiments
of many people who, on New Year’s Day think both about the past
year with its achievements and shortcomings as well as looking
forward with hope to a new and better year to come. Sincere and
practical, many Americans even write down their “New year
resolutions” to do specific things like giving up smoking, going
on a diet, getting up earlier, spending less money on clothes,
etc. Even though such resolutions are rarely kept, at least they
make for a good laugh when the next New Year comes.
MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY
“I have
a dream that my four
children
will one day live in a
nation
where they will not be
judged by
the color of their skin
but by the
content of their
character…”
Martin Luther King
On January 15th, people in the United States celebrate the
birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a great civil rights
leader who fought against racial discrimination. He said that
people should be judged by their characters, and not the color
of their skin. He believed in integration. He received national
attention when he protested the injustice of segregated buses in
Alabama.
Martin Luther King is remembered in church memorial services,
marches, and public ceremonies. People also listen to his
speeches, watch TV documentaries, and sing spirituals and the
civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” In schools, students read
about this leader, study his writings and celebrate his memory
with special programs. Politicians and performers also participate
in celebrations to honor Martin Luther King.
The third Monday in January is a legal holiday to honor
Martin Luther King.
ST VALENTINE’S DAY
It’s Valentine’s Day.
And in the street
There’s freezing rain,
and slush, and sleet.
The wind is fierce.
The skies are gray.
I don’t think I’ll go
out today.
But here inside the
weather’s warm.
There is no trace of
wind or storm.
And you just made the
morning shine.
You said you’d be my
Valentine.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th. It isn’t a
national holiday. Banks and offices are open this day, but it is
a happy little festival in honor of St Valentine, patron
sweethearts and lovers. In this day school children typically make
valentines for their teachers and classmates and put them in a
large decorated mailbox. It is customary on the day to send a
“Valentine”, a card with affectionate message to someone you love,
or to your best friends or a little present. The greeting cards
are often colored red trimmings and pictures of heart.
Whatever the reasons, Americans of all ages love to send and
receive valentines and to hear and sing the thousands of new and
traditional love songs which flood television and radio programs
on that day.
Among all the red hearts, birds, love letters, candies,
chocolates and kisses which comprise symbolism and realia, Cupid
or Eros is the unquestioned favorite in personifying the spirit
of the day. According to Greek ( later Roman ) tradition. Cupid
was the eternally child – like son of Venus, the goddess of love.
Although he remained a baby, he could fly and was equipped with
a tiny bow and countless golden arrows special power, and that
is why if Cupid shot you with his arrow, you would fall in
love with the first person you met.
So St Valentine’s Day is the day of love for many people.
PRESIDENT’S DAY
Until 1986 this holiday was in fast two holidays: Abraham
Lincoln’s Birthday, celebrated on February 12, and George
Washington’s Birthday, celebrated on February 22. Their birthdays
are celebrated on the 3rd Monday in February.
Abraham Lincoln was President during the Civil War ( 1861 – 1865
). He led the fight to keep the nation together and free the
slaves. His life ended tragically. He was killed at the theatre
