There are a number of national holidays in the United States, which are
Federal holidays that are designated by Congress. While each state has
the jurisdiction to determine the schedules of official holidays, they
tend to all be observed nationwide. In addition, most retail and
private businesses observe the major celebrations and close. These
include the big holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter of
course, but there are also a great many others.
New Years Day
The first holiday of the year is the New Year's Day. As across the
world, the celebration of this day starts the night before, where
people gather with their family and friends to wish each other well and
greet the coming of what will hopefully be a prosperous year. Many
people also make resolutions for the upcoming year of course.
Valentines Day
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 and is the day of love and
romance. People traditionally give cards, gifts, flowers and candy to
their sweethearts. They can also go to a romantic dinner or movies to
celebrate their love, but there are no limits to how extravagant some
people can be.
Saint Patricks Day
March 17 is known for the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, and this
is huge in the US, particularly New York and Chicago. This is the day
of Irish culture and heritage and its roots go right back to the Roman
Catholic celebration of Saint Patrick. Today, it is most commonly
associated with wonderful parades, drink and food.
Easter
Easter is a Christian holiday which always falls on a Sunday between
March 22 and April 25. This holiday celebrates the resurrection of
Jesus for all Catholics, and there is a wide attendance of religious
services. People also gather with their family and, whilst traditions
vary, many also play games and activities such as coloring hard boiled
eggs, hiding them and having kids find them in the house or backyard.
Kids also get baskets of candy and other gifts.
Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, and has been marked since 1970.
This is the day where the environment is celebrated. It promotes
protection of our planet from sources of pollution. Its primary aim is
to encourage people to respect life on Earth and, as awareness has
grown over the years has become a bigger celebration in the country.
Arbor Day
Arbor Day has been celebrated since 1872 and is observed on the last
Friday of April. This is the holiday of planting trees, where people
are encouraged to plant and take care of trees. Though this started in
the US, today, many countries are observing this holiday and celebrate
it depending on their local climate and the best weather for planting
trees, in order people will get out there in good numbers.
Mothers Day
Every second Sunday of May is the celebration of Mother's Day. Another
day celebrated across the world, though on different days through the
year, this is the day when it is important that mothers feel the most
honored and loved.
Memorial Day
The last Monday of May marks the celebration of
Memorial
Day. Originally, it honored people killed during the American Civil
War. But, now it has become a day when people honor the dead of all
wars and generally all people that families have lost. A lot of special
services and ceremonies are held in churches, cemeteries and other
public places this day. Increasingly, this day has become ever more
important as war and sacrifice continues.
Flag Day
June 14 is the Flag Day. This holiday was Presidentially proclaimed in
1916. Even though this day is not a federal holiday, people are
encouraged to display the Stars and Stripes outside of their offices
and houses to honor the heritage and history of the American flag and
the nation that it represents.
Independence Day
One of the most favorite and most celebrated holidays of the year is
Independence Day. It is celebrated on July 4 and it honors the birthday
of the nation upon the signing of The Declaration of Independence in
1776. The day is filled with patriotic parades, concerts, picnics and
fireworks at night. A day that all American's hold close to their
hearts, it defines what the country stands for to this day.
Labor Day
Labor Day honors the working people in the country. It is celebrated on
the first Monday of September, and involves again a lot of parades
through cities across the country. For many people this holiday also
means the end of vacation season and the beginning of school year.
Columbus Day
On the second Monday of October people observe Columbus Day. This day
honors October 12, 1492, when Christopher Columbus reached the New
World for the first time. This holiday was first proclaimed by
President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937.
Halloween
One of the most favorite holidays for children is Halloween. It is
celebrated on October 31 and kids get to dress up in different spooky
or funny costumes and go from house to house saying "Trick or treat".
Their neighbors, usually, respond by giving kids candy. Over the years,
it has grown to be ever more celebrated by adults with many parties,
and is becoming ever more popular throughout the world
Veterans Day
November 11 is the Veterans Day. This federal holiday originally
honored the veterans of World War I. But today people honor veterans of
all wars America has fought in. A lot of parades are arranged by
veterans organizations and the President traditionally places a wreath
to the Tomb of the Unknowns. Again, this has increasing importance as
is a memorial which takes place in many nations.
Thanksgiving Day
The fourth Thursday of November is Thanksgiving Day. To all intents and
purpose, this day marks the start of the holiday season. People
traditionally give thanks to the Fall harvest and share a turkey dinner
with their loved ones. Americans consider the nations first
Thanksgiving to have taken place in 1621, when the Pilgrims had a feast
celebrating their generous harvest. The day after Thanksgiving is
called Black Friday. This is not actually a holiday, but it marks the
start of Christmas shopping season and many companies give their
workers a day off.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day, celebrated on December 25, is a Christian holiday
honoring the birth of Jesus Christ. Possibly the most widely celebrated
of all national holidays, people give gifts to their loved ones, put up
Christmas trees and decorate their yards and houses with beautiful
lights. They also send cards to their relatives and friends and attend
festive services in church. And of course, kids await the moment that
Santa Claus brings presents to their homes.
