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

during the performance soon after the victory of the North. In

honor of this great man a beautiful memorial has been built in

Washington, D. C.

George Washington led the American Army to victory in the War

for Independence. Later he was elected President of the United

States and was in office for 8 years (1789 –1797). The national

capital of the United States, a state and several towns are

named after George Washington. In addition to commemorating the

birth of the US’s first President, it’s a great day for

shoppers. The department stores of Washington, D. C., started a

national tradition of sales marked by unusual bargains. The US

Congress observes the birthday of G. Washington with speeches and

reading from his works.

ST PATRIC’S DAY

It’s a

great day for the Shamrock,

For the

flags in full array,

We’re

feeling so inspirish,

Sure

because for all the Irish

It’s a

great, great day!

On March 17th, Americans celebrate an Irish religious holiday,

St Patrick’s Day. It is a day to remember the Irish people in

the United States and Ireland. Ireland is a country with a lot

of green grass and shamrocks. Shamrock are small plants with

three leaves. There is a lot of green in Ireland, so green is

Ireland’s national color.

People often wear green clothes on St Patrick’s Day. There

are parades in many cities with large Irish population, but the

largest parade is in New York. Many people go to parties. They

sing, dance, and eat Irish food. Some drink green beer.

St Patrick was a priest in Ireland many years ago. He taught

the Irish people about God. St Patrick died on March 17th in

the year 461.

Beginning in 1845, many Irish people moved to the United

States. They came because there wasn’t enough food to eat in

Ireland. St Patrick’s Day celebrations helped the Irish remember

their country, their music and their families. Many Americans say,

“Everyone is Irish on St Patrick’s Day.”

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

The first of

April, some do say,

It set apart

for All Fool’s Day.

But why the

people call it so,

Nor I, nor

they themselves do know.

But on this

day are people sent

On purpose

for pure merriment.

April Fool’s Day is celebrated on April 1st. It is the day

for harmless tricks and good laughs. The origin of April Fool’s

Day or All Fool’s Day goes back to the dilemma faced by many

Europeans in 1562 when Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar,

one which shifted the start of new year from its traditionally

warm nesting place of April 1st to the cold and dreary date of

January 1st.

Today in the United States both children and adults play

small tricks on each others. If the trickster is still around he

or she may take credit for his deed by shouting “April Fool !”

but probably not before you’ve spoiled your cup of morning coffee

or tea. If you are innocent victim of such mischief, your first

reaction may be to “wring the scoundrel’s neck.”

American author and satirist Mark Twain summed up the nature

of the holiday thus: “The first of April is the day we remember

what we are the other 364 days of the year.”

EARTH DAY

The earth

is a garden.

It’s a

beautiful place.

For all

living creatures,

For all

the human race

April 22 is a special day around the world. On that day

inhabitants of Earth celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day is a time

when many people show that they care for our fragile planet.

They show concern about the threats the planet faces – destruction

of the rain forest, holes in the ozone layer, the greenhouse

effect, too much garbage, and all forms of air and water

Страницы: 1, 2