New Year's Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Mother's Day & Father's Day
Independence Day
Columbus Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Day
Christmas
1. Traditions and Customs
New Year's Day is a popular legal
holiday celebrated in the United States. The celebration begins on December
31, New Year's Eve, the night before New Year's Day. Many people stay up until
midnight. Some go to church while others go to parties. Horns, whistles and
other noisemakers are very popular on this night. This is an old tradition from
ancient times when people made loud noises to scare away evil spirits.
When the ringing of bells and the blowing of whistles and
horns announce that the new year has started, some people shake hands ; others
kiss and embrace. Many join together to sing "Auld Lang Syne". In
addition to blowing whistles and horns, people throw paper confetti and streamers
and call out "Happy New Year", raising their drinks in a toast to
the future, hoping it will bring health, peace, and prosperity.
On New Year's Eve, New York City holds and outdoor event which
attracts a crowd of a million or more people. The event is televised around
the country. A large ball shaped like and apple and covered with bright light
is slowly lowered from a pole on top of a tall building in Times Square. It
starts coming down one minute before midnight. When it reaches the bottom of
the pole, the new year has begun.
New Year's Day is celebrated in different ways. Many people
hold "Open House", serving refreshments to visitors. Egg nog, a drink
made with milk and egg is especially popular. Others watch the parades and football
games that are very typical for this day. The Mummer's Parade in Philadelphia
has marchers in elaborate costumes. The Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena,
California is known for its floats decorated with fresh flowers. The most famous
college football game, the Rose Bowl, is played after the parade.
2. Background
New Year's Day celebrates the start
of a new year. People who follow the Roman calendar celebrate this holiday on
January first. This month was named for Janus, the ancient Roman god with two
faces, one looking into the past, the other looking into the future.
On New Year's Day people often think about the past year.
They remember the projects they finished and the goals they did not achieve.
Like Janus, they also look forward to a new beginning and make "new year
resolution" on what they will achieve.
1. Traditions and Customes
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 character, 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 school, 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.
2. Background
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born
in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15th, 1929. His father was a clergyman, Reverend
Martin Luther King, Sr., and his mother was Alberta Williams King.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an excellent student. He entered
college at the age of 15 years. He was interested in history, literature, sociology
and public speaking. He studed black history, religion and theology. He received
doctor of philosophy degree from Boston University.
He became a minister and married Coretta Scott. They had four
children. He was the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery,
Alabama. Martin Luther King worked to end segregation of black people. He also
became a leader of the human rights movement.
He believed in non-violent methods. In 1963, he gave one of
his most famous speeches, "I Have a Dream," in fornt of the Lincoln
Memorial, in Washington, D.C. That day he led a peace march of 250,000 people.
They wanted to ensure the rights of the Constitution to all people in the United
States.
He became famous and was loved and respected by many people
all around the world. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Martin Luther
King died at the age of 39 years. He was killed by an assassin, James Earl Ray.
It was a very sad day for the American people and the world.
1. Tradition and Customs
Valentine's day is celebrated on
February 14th as a festival of romance and affection. People send greeting
cards called "valentines" to their sweethearts, friends, and members
of their families.
Many valentines have romantic poems ; others are humorous.
But almost all valentines ask "Be My Valentine." This may mean be
my friend or be my love or be my companion. Valentines often show a cupid with
an arrow. Cupid, also called Eros, was the ancient Roman god of love.
Valentine's day is not a legal holiday ; schools and banks
are open as usual. Merchants sell valentines and decorations for Valentine's
Day paries and dances. All the decorations are bright red, and the most popular
ones are heart shaped.
School children decorate their classrooms with bright red
paper hearts and celerate the day in their classroom. They also make valentine
card for their friends and parents.
Stores advertise heavily for this holiday since it is traditional
for sweethearts, spouses, and members of the family to exchange gifts on Valentine's
Day. Heart shaped boxes of candy, jewelry and flowers are some of the popular
gifts given on this day.
Many newspapers carry advertisements or messages placed by
people in love. Both men and women want to let their sweethearts know how much
they love them. On Valentine's Day, many radio stations play romantic music
all day long. One very famous song is called "My Funny Valentine."
Valentine's Day is a day to share loving feelings with friends
and family. It has become traditional for many couples to become engaged on
this day. Also, famous couples are remembered. Some of them are Romeo and Julit,
Caesar and Cleopatra, among others. This is a happy day because it is specially
dedicated to celebrate love, affection and friendship.
2. Background
Valentine's Day comes on the feast
of two different Christian saint named Valentine. But the way that Valentine's
Day is celebrated has nothing to do with the lives of the saints.
This celebration come from an ancient Roman festival called
"Lupercalia" which took place every February 15th. This festival honored
Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan the god of nature. It
was also belived that birds choose their mates on this dates. Valentine's Day
became very popular in the United States in the 1800's.
1. Traditions and Customes
On March 17th, many people in the
Unite States commemorate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. New York
City, where there are many people of Irish descent, holds the famous St. Patrick's
Day parade. Bands, marchers, celebrities (especially politicians), and bystanders
come to participate. More than 150,000 people march in the parade. Almost a
million people line the streets to watch. A green stripe is painted down the
center on Fifth Avenue, and the lights on top of the Empire State Building are
turned green, the color that represents the Irish people.
Millions of real shamrocks are flown from Ireland to the United
States. They are used of decorations. Everything turns green on St. Patrick's
Day. Green and gold pennants and green balloons are sold by the hundreds. Children
and adults wear something green, and shops prepare green food : green bread,
green pasta, green ice cream, green milkshakes. People eat corned beef and cabbage,
and drink Irish coffee. Irish songs can be heard throughout the day on the radio.
2. Background
In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is
a religious holiday. St. Patrick's date of birth is estimated to be around the
year 389. He died on March 17th, the day when his memory is honored.
When Patrick was 16 years old, Irish pirates landed near his
home in England. They captured him and took him as a slave to Ireland.
There he worked and learned the Irish language, traditions, and way of life.
Patrick, who had been born and raised in a Christian home, was troubled because
the Irish worshiped many gods and spirits. He wanted to convert the the Irish
people to Christianity.
He was able to escape to France and to study to be an priest.
After 14 years of study, in the year 432, the Pope sent him back to Ireland
as a bishop.
Patrick traveled all across Ireland and established churches
and schools. According to his followers he performed many miracles. A well known
legend says that he drove the snakes out of Ireland. He was greatly loved by
the Irish people.
This holiday in the United States has come to represent the
Irish culture and the great contributions of its people to the United States.
Last names beginning with "O'" like O'Reilly, and with "Mac,"
like MacDonald, are of Irish origin. Many famous politicians including Presidents
Kennedy and Reagan are of Irish descent.
1. Traditions and Customs
People in the United States honor
their parents with two special days : Mother's day, on the second Sunday in
May, and Father's Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside
to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate
themto be responsible citizens. They give love and care. These two days offer
an opportunity to think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More
mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child-care.
These two special days are celebrate in many different ways.
On Mother's Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother.
A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious
services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead
visit the cemetery. On these days families get together at home, as well as
in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father's Day. These are
days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make
them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than
the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important,
but it is "the thought that counts." Greeting card stores, florists,
candy makers, bakeries, telephone companies, and other stores do a lot of business
during these holidays.
2. Background
Mother's Day was proclaimed a day
for national observance by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. Ann Jarvis from
Grafton, West Virginia, had started the idea to have a day to honor mothers.
She was the one who chose the second Sunday in May and also began the customs
of wearing a carnation.
In 1909, Mrs. Dodd from Spokane, Washington, thought of the idea
of a day to honor fathers. She wanted to honor her own father, William Smart.
After her mother died, he had the responsibility of raising a family of five
sons and a daughter. In 1910, the first Father's Day was observed in Spokane.
Senator Margaret Chase Smith helped to establish Father's Day as a national
commemorative day, in 1972.
1. Traditions and Customs
On July 4th, the United States celebrates
Independence Day. It is a legal holiday. It is called Independence Day because
on July 4th,1776, the Continental Congress declared that the United States of
America would become free and independent from England.
Many activities are organized to celebrate this holiday. All
across America firecrackers are exploded and fireworks are displayed. They symbloize
the gunpowder of the American revolution. Bands play patriotic marches in parades.
Politicians make speeches about freedom and American ideals.
There are patriotic readings and music at various parks. People
organize street fairs. Planes from the Air Force perform acrobatics in the air.
Picnics, clambakes and barbecues are very popular activities on this day. Many
families and friends celebrate the day at beaches, pools and baseball games.
The lights of the Empire States building in New York City display the colors
of the American flag : red, white and blue. In Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's
home in Charlottesville, Virginia, Independence Day is observed with a naturalization
ceremony. Newly naturalized citizens are sworn in and honored. A similar cerenony
was held at the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in 1986. At that
celebration, millions of people watched a parade of tall sailing ships and a
huge fireworks display over New York harbor.
2. Background
In 1773, there were 13 English colonies
in America, where more than 2 million people lived. England owned and governed
the colonies. England tried to collect more money from the colonies by passing
tax laws. These taxes made the Americans very angry. They said it was not fair
for England to make them pay taxes that they did not vote on. The Americans
said, "No taxation without representation".
One of the most hated taxes was a tax on tea. When three English
ships loaded with tea docked in Boston Harbor, some Americans dressed as Indians
threw all the tea into the water. This became known as the "Boston Tea
Party".
England sent soldiers to America to force the colonists to
obey English laws. English soldiers killed Americans in what is called the Boston
Massacre.
It was finally decided at the Continetal Congress that Americans
should declare their independence from England. The Congress chose Benjamin
Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman to work on this idea.
Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. It was
signed on July 4th,1776. Copies of the Declaration of Independence were
read throughout the colonies. In Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell was rung to
call the people to hear the reading.
After 7 years of war with England, the American colonies finally
won and were recognized as a united, independent nation.
1. Traditions and Customs
Columbus Day is celebrated on October
12th. It commemorates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus on October
12,1492.
It is a legal holiday. School, banks, post offices and government
offeces are closed. Many schools hold programs and special events. Cities and
organizations sponsor ceremonies, parades, fairs, food festivals, and banquets.
Traditionally this is a day to celebrate the contributions
to the culture of the United States made by Italian immigrants . Pizza ad pasta,
opera, and Italian fashion are part of the daily life of Americans.
It is also a day to recognize the strong ties of friendship
between the two countries : Italy and the United States. Italian-American politicians
and entertainers participate in many public events and TV programs.
Many sales are held throughout the USA on Columbus Day since
all the stores are open.
2. Background
Christopher Columus was born in
the seaport of Genoa, Italy. Columbus heard sailors speak of Marco Polo who
had visited the Far East 200 years earlier. He wrote about his long voyage by
land and the wonders he had seen.
Columbus wanted to find a shorter route to Japan, China, India
and the East Indies. Europeans were very interested in the gold, gems and spices
that came from the East. They used camels, horses, and elephants to travel on
land, across mountains and deserts to get to these countries. These trips were
long, dangerous, and expensive.
At that time, many people thought that the world was flat.
They said that if a ship would sail to the edge of the world, it would fall
off and be lost. Columbus did not believe this ; he was always convinved that
the world was round.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to finance
Columbus' expeditions. On the third of August, 1492, Columbus set sail with
three ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Nina. These ships were made
of wood and had very few comforts. The ships had compasses, but they were crude.
Columbus navigated by studying the stars and the moon.
It was a dnangerous voyage. Nobody had ever sailed so long
without seeing land. Finally, on October 12th, they saw an island. Columbus
believed he had discovered an island off the East Indies. He was wrong. He really
had discovered a new world : America. He called this island San Salvador and
the native there Indians, because he was sure San Salvador was the Indies.
As a seaman, he was one of the greatest in history. He not
only discovered a new world, but his success encouraged other explorers. Later,
because of Columbus, other sailors did find a new way to get to India.
1. Traditions and Custom
Halloween is a festival celebrated
on October 31st. The name of the holiday means "hallowed" or "holy
evening" because it happens the day before All Saints Day.
It is said that Halloween is the children's New Year's Eve.
They dress up with special costumes, they eat too much, and stay up too late
celebrating.
Children go around the neighborhood wearing makeup, and dressed
in masks and colorful costumes. The most common costumes are witches, ghosts,
skeletons, and popular TV, movie, and storybook characters. Some costumes are
homemade ; others are bought in stores. The children go door to door saying
"trick or treat." People give them candy, cookies, fruit, or money.
Sometimes money is collected to help UNICEF (United Nations International Childeren's
Emergency Fund).
Homes, stores, and classrooms are decorated in the traditional
Halloween colors, orange and black. Usual decorations are witches, black cats,
ghosts, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns. Jack-o-lanterns are pumpkins that are
carved to look like faces. They are placed on doorway entrances and in windows.
Horror movies and ghost stories are shown on TV on this day.
Adults and older children also celebrate Halloween with parades,
festivals, and costume parties. Some people create their costumes ; other people
rent them. Contests are held where the best costume receives a prize. One of
the party events popular with children is dunking for apples. Apples are
put in tubs filled with water. People try to get the apples using only their
mouths ; hands cannot be used.
2. Background
Halloween comes the day before "All Saint Day". Many superstitions are connected with this day. The Druids, a group of priests from Gaul and Britain, believed that ghosts, spriits, and witches came out to harm people on Halloween. It is because of this legend that people place jack-o-lanterns, and scary decorations in front of their homes to scare evil spirits away. The Druids also thought that cats were scared. They believed that they were once humans who were changed into animals because they did evil things. That is why black cats are part of Halloween. It is also believed that the pumpkin symbolizes the human skull.
1. Traditions and Cusoms
Thanksgiving day comes on the 4th
Thursday in November. It is a legal holiday celebrated throughout the United
States. People of all faiths celebrate this day. They give thanks for the many
good things in their lives.
This is a family holiday. Families come together from near
and far. In some places special religious services are held in the morning.
Then comes the traditional feast. Turkey with stuffing is the main dish. It
is served with sweet potatoes, squash, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Apple
cider is te drink of the day.
Football is the most popular game on this day. For many schools,
the Thanksgiving Day game is the most important one of the year. Usually there
are several football games to watch on TV.
Macy's department store holds its annual Thanksgiving Day
Parade in New York City. Celebrities, floats, bands, and balloons shaped like
famous storybook and cartoon characters appear in the parade. Santa Claus arrives
at the end. His coming marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
Stores, classrooms, and homes are decorated with turkeys,
pilgrims, Indians, wreaths of dried flowers, and vegetables. Horns of plenty
are also very popular.
Charitable organizations serve dinners to needy people. They
also send baskets of food to the elderly and sick.
2. Background
The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated
by the Pilgrims on 1621. They came from England for religious freedom. They
sailed from Plymouth, England, on September 16,1620. Their ship was called the
Mayflower. They landed at Plymouth Rock, in Massachusetts, on December 26,1620.
The first winter was a terrible time. There was much sickness
and starvation. Native Indians taught the Pilgrims how to plant, to fish, to
hunt and how to survive in America. The crops did well, and in the fall of 1621
the Pilgrims had a great harvest. They were very thankful and decided to celebrate
with a feast. The Pilgrims invited their Indian friends to share this Thanksgiving
feast.
Thanksgiving was proclaimed a national day of observance by
Congress in 1941.
1. Traditions and Customs
Christmas is a religious holiday.
It is the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus
Christ.It is a happy holiday. Families come together to share their happiness,
attend church, and exchange gifts. In the days before Christmas, parties are
held in schools, offices, factories, and clubs ; homes and stores are crowded
with shoppers.
Cities and towns in the United States sparkle with bright
lights and decorations. Churches, homes, schools, shops, and streets are decorated
with Christmas trees, clolored lights, Santa Claus and his reindeer, and nativity
scenes showing the stable where Jesus Christ was born. Store windows display
gifts and Christmas scenes. The traditional colors for this holiday are red
and green, and the red poinsettia is considered the Christmas flower. On Christmas
Eve, the President of the United States turns on the lights of the Christmas
tree near the White House and sends his greetings to the nation.
Families prepare for this holiday weeks before. They make
special foods. They make and buy gifts. They wrap them with bright paperand
ribbons. They choose a tree and then decorate it with ornaments and lights.
Houses are decorated with wreaths of holly, evergreenss, and mistletoe. Many
families share memories by following special ethnic Christmas traditions from
their country of origin. Christmas cards are sent to friends and relatives.
On Christmas Eve, many read the famous poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas,"
by Clement Moore. Children hang up stockings to receive gifts from Santa Claus.
School usually have two weeks of vacation, and some families take vacations
together.
People wish each other a "Merry Christmas" during
this holiday season. In many states, people look forward to snow (White Christmas).
Christmas carols are sung on the radio and in public places during this season.
Some of the most famous carols are "Silent Night", "The First
Noel", "Joy to the World", and "Jingle Bells". There
are many shows on TV called "Christmas Specials". Films like "A
Christmas Carol" (by Charles Dickens) and "Miracle on 34th Street"
are family favorites. Churches, organizations, and newspapers ask for donations
of money and food for the needy. Volunteers from the Salvation Army stand outside
stores collecting money for the needy. Hot meals are prepared and served to
the poor and homeless. Toys and games are given to children at Christmas parties
by somebody dressed as Santa Claus.
2. Background
The Christmas story comes from the Bible (Luke 2 and Mathew 1-2). Luke tells a beautiful story of shepherds who were watching their sheep when an angel appeared to them. He told them that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The shepherds went there to see Jesus. The baby Jesus was born in a stable. His mother was the Virgin Mary and his father was Joseph. Mathew tells how the Wise Men followed a star until it led them to Jesus. The Wise Men gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Because of this event, the Christians celebrate Christmas.
