HOLIDAYS IN U.S.A.

What is a holiday?

The word holiday is a contraction of the word holy and day. Originally it meant a special religious day.Now the meaning has changed. It means every special day of rest. There are different categories.

January 1: New Year's Day [Jan. 1 every year]

New Year's EveOn 31st December, the last day of the year, many people go to parties. They also make some New Year's resolutions (a decision to do something better or to stop doing something bad in the new year).
a party

Saint Valentine's Day14th February

When traditionally people send a valentine (=special card) to someone they love, often without saying who the card is from. They may also send flowers or other presents as a sign of love.

Cupid.

Saint Patrick's Day

The patron saint of Ireland, who helped to spread the Christian religion there and who people think got rid of snakes in Ireland. St Patrick's Day, 17th March, is celebrated in Ireland where people drink Irish beer and often wear green clothes. a shamrock

An Easter Bunny

EasterA Christian holiday in March or April when Christians remember the death of Christ and his return to life. People give each other chocolate eggs. Children believe the Easter bunny brings the chocolate eggs.

• April 1 [every year]: April Fool's Day. Get great practical jokes and gags at → Pranks Place



• May: Mother's Day [2nd sunday in May]



• June: Father's Day [3rd sunday in June]



• July 4: Independence Day [July 4th every year]




• September: Labor Day [1st monday in Sept]
  a pumpkin

Halloween

The night of 31st October, which is now celebrated by children, who dress in costumes and go from house to house asking for sweets. This is called trick-or-treating. In the past, people believed the souls of dead people appeared on Hallowe'en.

November: Thanksgiving Day [4th thursday in Nov]

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States.
The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida[1][2], the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, or over the course of the associated weekend in Canada, usually as a gathering of family members and friends.

Christmas

Christmas Eve is celebrated on the 24th December. Children leave socks and hope Father Christmas will bring some presents. Christmas Day, 25th December is a family day. People usually have dinner and sit around the Christmas tree.
Father Christmas