Which American Holidays are Important
New Year’s Day-January 1: Federal holiday for schools, offices and banks. Stores are open. New Year’s Eve, December 31, is more important to Americans than New Year’s Day itself. Everyone gathers with family and friends to “ring out the old and ring in the new,” an expression that reflects the old custom of ringing church bells to greet the new year.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (Observed on the 3rd Monday in January): Federal holiday that began in 1986. Martin Luther King, Jr. organized and led the civil-rights movement in America during the 1960s.
Valentine’s Day-February 14: Not a federal holiday. Lover’s holiday celebrated by sending cards and giving candy or flowers.
Saint Patrick’s Day-March 17. Not a federal holiday. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and this holiday was brought to America by Irish immigrants. People celebrate this holiday by wearing something green and getting together with friends to party and sing Irish folk songs.
April Fool’s Day-April 1. Not a federal holiday. As in many other countries, this day is marked by the custom of playing practical jokes on friends and colleagues.
Easter- Date Varies. Not a federal holiday. A religious holiday for Christians who believe that on this day Christ rose from the dead. Many folk traditions are now connected with Easter.
Mother’s Day-varies in May: Not a federal holiday. On this day Americans honor their mothers by sending flowers and buying small gifts.
Memorial Day-last Monday in May: Federal holiday. Memorial Day is the day on which Americans remember those who died in military service to their country. Many families visit graves and decorate them with flowers. The day is also marked with patriotic parades. This day is considered the beginning of the summer season.
Father’s Day varies in June: Not a federal holiday. Fathers are honored on this day. Children give them cards and gifts.
Independence Day-July 4: Federal holiday. Independence Day commemorates the day the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The holiday is celebrated all over the country with picnics, political speeches, and community get-togethers that culminate with fireworks displays.
Labor Day- first Monday in September: Federal holiday. This holiday was established in recognition of the labor movement’s contribution to the productivity of the country. This day is the last holiday of the summer season and is celebrated with picnics and other outings.
Halloween-October 31: Not a federal holiday. This was originally a religious holiday, but its religious character has been lost in the United States and it is now celebrated mostly as a children’s holiday. Traditions include carving out pumpkins with funny faces, as well as dressing up in costumes and going around the neighborhood to receive treats of candy, fruit and cookies. When people come to the door, children say “trick or treat” meaning “if you don’t give me a treat, I will trick you.
Thanksgiving Day- fourth Thursday in November: Federal Holiday. The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the pilgrims at Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1621 to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and their triumph of survival over the wilderness. Now it is a time when Americans give thanks for the good life they enjoy. They celebrate by getting together with family and friends to enjoy turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
Christmas-December 25: Federal holiday. Many people regard Christmas as the most important holiday of the year because it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ with the holiday season extending from a few days before Christmas to New Year’s Day. It is a holiday celebrated by almost everyone in the country. Family members travel great distances to be together on this day on which gifts are exchanged, and a traditional dinner is shared. Even families who do not have strong religious convictions decorate a Christmas tree and join in the festivities of the Christmas season.