Traditions and holidays in the USA

TRADITIONS AND HOLIDAYS IN THE USA

 СЛАЙД 2.  There are many interesting traditions and holidays in the USA. Americans celebrate three national holidays with other countries: Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. But there are some holidays which are very important and even unique for Americans. For example, for most Americans, two of these stand out above the others as occasion to cherish national origins: Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July.

Lets start to speak about American  traditions and holidays from January.

СЛАЙД 3.THE THIRD MONDAY OF JANUARY -  MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY.

Martin Luther King was an important black leader who wanted equality for black people and fought for their civil rights. Preaching non-violence he tried not to consider the blacks as second-class citizens. He was murdered in 1968. Because of his work, Congress made his birthday a public holiday in 1986.

СЛАЙД 4. FEBRUARY 14TH – ST. VALENTINE’S DAY .

Nobody knows very much about St. Valentine. One story is that he was murdered by Roman soldiers in the third century AD because he was a Christian. He gave a poor girl some money before he died, and so other Christians called him the saint of love. St. Valentine is the saint of people in love, and St. Valentine's Day is February 14th. On this day people send Valentine cards and presents to their husbands, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends. You can also send a card to a person you don't know. But traditionally you must never write your name on it.

СЛАЙД 5. THIRD MONDAY OF FEBRUARY – PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Until the 1975, the February 22 - birthday of George Washington, hero of the Revolutionary War and first president of the United States, was a national holiday. In addition, the February 12 - birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the president during the Civil War, was a holiday in most states. The two days have been joined, and the holiday in honour of all past presidents is celebrated on the third Monday in February.

СЛАЙД 6. EASTER

The Easter weekend is in late March or early April, but the exact date changes every year. Easter is a Christian holiday which celebrates the day when Jesus Christ came back from the dead. It is an ancient symbol of spring and new life. On Easter Sunday people give coloured and chocolate eggs to each other and send cards. Some cities have Easter parades with games and sports and a big Easter egg hunt. In the U.S.A. many homes organise Easter egg hunt. Children look for hard-boiled eggs hidden around the house. The President himself has an annual Easter egg hunt on the lawn around the White House.

СЛАЙД 7. MOTHER’S DAY AND FATHER’S DAY 

One Sunday in May is Mother's Day and one Sunday in June is Father's Day. Children usually spend the day with their parents. They give them cards, flowers or presents. Many shops give presents to parents on these days.

СЛАЙД 8. JUNE 14TH – FLAG DAY 

In 1777 the "Stars and Stripes" became the official flag of the U.S.A. Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877 on the flag's hundredth birthday. Many people display a flag on this day, but it is not a major holiday and shops stay open.

СЛАЙД 9.  JULY 4TH – INDEPENDENCE DAY 

On this day in 1776 the United States declared its independence from England. It was the beginning of a new nation. On the Fourth of July families and friends celebrate, and every town and city has parades, games and sports with prizes. There are picnics and barbecues and in the evening there are big fireworks displays.

СЛАЙД 10. THE FIRST MONDAY OF SEPTEMBER – LABOUR DAY 

It is a holiday in honour of the nation's working people. This is a day of rest for the workers. It is celebrated by labour union parades. It also marks the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Public schools below the college level open just after this day.

СЛАЙД 11. THE SECOND MONDAY OF OCTOBER – COLUMBUS DAY 

 On October 12, 1492, Italian navigator Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the Santa Maria and landed in the Bahamas in the New World. On Columbus Day people display a flag to honour the man who discovered their country.

СЛАЙД 12. OCTOBER 26TH 1886 – THE STATUE OF LIBERTY 

On this day America received a gift from the people of France - The Statue of Liberty, which became a symbol of the New World. It is standing on Liberty Island in New York.

СЛАЙД 13.  OCTOBER 31ST – HALLOWEEN

October 31st is Halloween, and you can expect to meet witches and ghosts that night. Halloween is an old word for ”Hallows Evening”, the night before ”All Hallows” or ”All Saints' Day”. On that one night of the year, ghosts and witches are free. A long time ago people were afraid and stayed at home on Halloween. But now it is a time for fun. There are always a lot of parties on October 31st. At these parties people wear masks and they dress as ghosts and witches, or as Dracula or Frankenstein's monster. Some people make special Halloween lamps from a large fruit - pumpkin. First they take out the middle of the pumpkin. Then they cut holes for the eyes, nose and mouth. Finally they put a candle inside the pumpkin. Children in America have a special custom of ”Trick or Treat”. They knock on the people's door dressed as ghosts and witches and holding a big bag. They shout ”Trick or Treat!”. If you give them money or sweets, they will go away. If not they will play a ”trick" on you, such as drawing pictures or writing something on the house or car windows with soap.

СЛАЙД 14. THE FOURTH THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER – THANKSGIVING DAY 

On the fourth Thursday of November a national holiday with big dinners and parties is held in the U.S.A. It is called Thanksgiving day. In 1621, the Pilgrim Fathers who were among the first European settlers in North America, celebrated their first harvest and thanked God. It was a difficult year but people still had food to eat. William Bradford, the Governor of Massachusetts, decided to have a thanksgiving dinner for all the people. He wanted to share this good fortune with the neighboring Indians who helped them and taught how to plant corn and other crops. The meal lasted three days. Today the traditional Thanksgiving meal is similar to the first. Usually there is a turkey, sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is a special day for families to get together.

СЛАЙД 15. CHRISTMAS 

This is the biggest holiday of the year and the one that many people – especially children – enjoy very much. Soon after Thanksgiving people start sending Christmas cards and decorate their houses. Almost every home has a Christmas tree. German soldiers started this tradition in the U.S. during the Revolutionary War of 1776. Christmas is a very nice time in the U.S.A. The stores are beautiful and full of toys and gifts. The streets are decorated with coloured lights, balls, stars and bells.

- December 24th – Christmas Eve. The evening before Christmas Day is called Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve many people go to church and sing Christmas carols. The President gives his message on TV. Parents tell children that Santa Claus will come to their house at night and leave presents for them. Santa Claus is pictured as a cheerful fat man with a long white beard, dressed in a red suit. He is a mystical man who lives at the North Pole where he makes toys during the year. Sometimes children leave some milk and chocolate cakes for Santa Claus. When children sleep, Santa comes with a big bag of presents and he leaves something for each child.

- December 25th – Christmas Day. On Christmas Day people open their presents and they prepare a traditional dinner of turkey or ham with vegetables, salads and desserts. There are also special cookies, candies, nuts and fruit. Christmas dinner is eaten late in the afternoon. During the day many families watch special Christmas TV and children play with their new toys. Some people go ice-skating, drive around the town to look at the decorations or go to see their relatives.

- December 31st – New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Eve people celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. Many people go to private parties, but some go to large public celebrations. Thousands of people gather in Times Square in New York and congratulate each other.