OTÁZKA Č. 12 - HOLIDAYS IN UK AND USA

Its name comes from the custom of giving postmen, milkmen, dustmen and the like small sums of money which they colected in their Christmas boxes. Lots of people go to the parties.

31 DECEMBER – NEW YEAR´S EVE

On New Year´s Eve the English people stay up till midnight to see the old year out and drink a toast to the New Year. In London some people gather in Trafalgar Squere and they sing and dance.

USA

3RD MONDAY IN JANUARY - MARTIN LUTHER KING´S DAY

M.L. King was a black leader who demanded racial equality. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968.

ST. VALENTINE´S DAY – same as in the UK

3RD MONDAY IN FEBRUARY – THE PRESIDENTS´ DAY

All presidents of the USA are honoured.

EASTER – same is in the UK

MOTHER´S DAY – same as in the UK

4TH MONDAY IN MAY – MEMORIAL DAY

It honours Americans killed in all the past wars and most recently all the dead.

4 JULY – INDEPENDENCE DAY

It commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the establishing of the USA. There are ceremonies, parades, band concerts and fireworks.

1ST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER - LABOR DAY

It honours all the working people and marks the end of the summer season.

HALLOWEEN – same as in the UK

11 NOVEMBER - VETERANS´ DAY

It honours the veterans of all wars

4TH THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER – THANKSGIVING

National holiday in the USA and Canada, firtst celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, on their first harvest.

Now i tis an occasion for the whole family to be together. It is celebrated by a traditional diner whose main course is roast turkey.cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

CHRISTMAS

In the USA Chrismas is not a family holiday, families invite friends to join them a Christmas diner and often give parties at Christmas time. On Boxing Day most shops are open although people have a day off. Americans also decorate their houses, they have some lights, trees and snowman in their gardens.