10 Czech, British and American traditions and festivals
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New Year's Eve - December 1st. On this day the English people stay up till midnight to see old year out and drink a toast to the New Year.
Hogmanay is Scottish name for New Year's Eve which is more celebrated that Christmas. Before midnight many townsfolk gather in the square, they sing and dance in
Scottish style. At midnight there is a great cheer, people cross arms, link hands for traditional song Auld Lang syne.
UNITED STATES
In the USA there are no national holidays and each state has the right to decide about its own holidays.
The first holiday is Martin Luther King's Day - 3rd Monday in January, federal public holiday.
Who he was? Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement. King was one of the leaders of the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Lincoln's Birthday - February 12th
Washington's Birthday - February 22nd
These holidays are commemorated by public ceremonies.
Presidents' Day - 3rd Monday in February, federal public holiday. On this day all presidents of the USA are honoured.
Easter - not a national holiday, but most Americans spend Easter Sunday with the family. Many people give children dyed eggs and sweets. In some families they organize an egg hunt – children look for eggs which adults hid somewhere in the house, yard or garden.
Memorial Day - 4th Monday in May, federal public holiday. It honours Americans killed in all the past wars and most recently all the dead. It also marks the beginning of the summer season.
Independence Day - July 4th, federal public holiday. Each city has its own ceremony and parades. This day commemorates the signing of Declaration of Independence in 1776, thus establishing the USA. People celebrate it together, have BBQs parties, garden celebrations, fireworks, bonfires, …
Labour Day - 1st Monday in September, federal public holiday. Honours all the working people. It's celebrated by the day of rest. It marks the end of the summer season.
Columbus Day - October 12th, federal public holiday. It's the anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492.
Halloween - October 31st, costumes, trick or treat, symbols of Halloween, …
Veterans Day - November 11th federal public holiday
Thanksgiving - 4th Thursday in November, federal public holiday. National holiday in the USA, first celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth Colony, on their first harvest. Now it's an occasion for the whole family to be together. It's celebrated by traditional dinner whose main course is roast turkey. Typical traditional food (roast turkey, sweet potatoes, …)
Christmas - December 25th. Christmas is not a national holiday in the USA, but since most Americans are Christian, almost all shops are closed and people have a rest day on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Christmas in the USA is not a family holiday, families invite friends to join them at Christmas dinner and often give parties Christmas-time.