B) Festivals and holidays in the USA.
In the strict sense, there are no federal (national) holidays in the United States. Each of the 50 states has jurisdiction over its holidays. In practice, however, most states observe the federal (“legal or public”) holidays, even though the President and Congress can legally designate holidays only for federal government employees.
The following ten holidays per year are proclaimed by the federal government.
New Year’s Day January 1
Martin Luther King Day third Monday in January
Presidents’ Day third Monday in February
Memorial Day last Monday in May
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day first Monday in September
Columbus Day second Monday in October
Veterans’ Day second Monday in November
Thanksgiving Day fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day December 25
Federal government offices, including the post office, are always closed on all federal holidays. Schools and businesses close on major holidays like Independence Day and Christmas Day but may not always be closed, for example, on Presidents’ Day or Veterans’ Day.
New Year’s Day
Most of the celebrating of New Year’s Day takes place the night before, when Americans gather in homes or restaurants or other public places to enjoy good food and to wish each other a happy and prosperous year ahead. Balloons and paper streamers, fire crackers and other noisemakers are all around at midnight when the old year passes away and the New Year arrives. Thousands throng to the Times Square celebration in New York to count down to the New Year - a celebration that’s carried live on TV networks across the U.S.
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Presidents’ Day
Until the mid-1970s, 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 (1861-1865), was a holiday in most states.
In the 1970s, Congress declared that in order to honor all past presidents of the United States, a single holiday, to be called Presidents’ Day, would be observed on the third Monday in February. In many states, however, the holiday continues to be known as George Washington’s birthday.
Independence Day
Independence Day is regarded as the birthday of the United States as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it the “Fourth of July,” on which date it always falls.
The holiday recalls the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. At that time, the people of the 13 British colonies located along the eastern coast of what is now the United States were involved in a war over what they considered unjust treatment by the king and parliament in Britain. The war began in 1775. As the war continued, the colonists realized that they were fighting not just for better treatment; they were fighting for freedom from England’s rule. The Declaration of Independence, signed by leaders from the colonies, stated this clearly, and for the first time in an official document the colonies were referred to as the United States of America.
It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag (which also occurs on Memorial Day and other holidays) is widespread.
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November, but many Americans take a day of vacation on the following Friday to make a four-day weekend, during which they may travel long distances to visit family and friends.
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The holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts, determined to practice their dissenting religion without interference. After a rough winter, in which about half of them died, they turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The next fall’s bountiful harvest inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a feast.
The Thanksgiving feast became a national tradition - not only because so many other Americans have found prosperity but also because the Pilgrims’ sacrifices for their freedom still captivate the imagination.
To this day, Thanksgiving dinner almost always includes some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, pumpkin pie. Before the meal begins, families or friends usually pause to give thanks for their blessings, including the joy of being united for the occasion
The United States is a nation of many religions and ethnic groups. Many of these have feast days, holy days or special customs related to their religion or to their nation of origin.
Some customs which hark back to traditions of other countries lend a great deal of color to American life. The celebration of Mardi Gras - the day before the Christian season of Lent begins in late winter - is a tradition in New Orleans, a major southern city located in the state of Louisiana. The celebration, marked by a huge parade and much feasting, grew out of old French traditions, since Louisiana was once part of France’s New World empire.
In various places, other ethnic groups sponsor parades or other events of great interest, adding pageantry and merriment to American life. Just a few examples:
St. Patrick’s Day in the United States is a time of celebration for people of Irish descent and their friends. One of the biggest celebrations takes place in New York City, where a parade is held on the Irish patron saint’s feast, March 17.
In areas where Americans of Chinese descent live, and especially in the Chinatown sections of New York City and San Francisco, California, people sponsor traditional Chinese New Year’s celebrations with feasts, parades and fireworks.
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Although the United States is young compared to other countries, its culture and traditions are rich because of the contributions made by the many groups of people who have come to its shores over the past two centuries. Hundreds of regional holidays have originated from the geography, climate and history of the different parts of the country. Each state holds its own annual fair with local themes and music; and some celebrate the day on which they joined the Union and became a state.
One other day that most Americans observe, even though it is not an official holiday, is February 14, Valentine’s Day, named for an early Christian martyr whose feast day was once observed on that day. On this day, Americans give special symbolic gifts to people they love. They also send special greeting cards called Valentines to such people. Most commonly, the gifts are candy or flowers.
Other holidays such as “Groundhog Day” (February 2) are whimsically observed, at least in the media. The day is associated with folklore which has grown up in rural America. It is believed, by some, if the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of its hole in the ground and sees its shadow on that day it will become frightened and jump back in. This means there will be at least six more weeks of winter. If it doesn’t see its shadow, it will not be afraid and spring will begin shortly.
ASSIGNMENTS
I. Answer the following questions:
1. What kind of state is the UK? 2. What title does the eldest son of the British Queen/King have? 3. Name the main branches of the British state system. 4. How can you explain the name “the Houses of Parliament”? 5. How often are general elections held in Britain? 6. Who is responsible for the state policy in Britain? 7. How is the government formed in the UK?8. What kind of state is the United States of America? 9. What principles is the U.S. Constitution based on? 10. What is the Bill of Rights? 11. What are the three branches of the U.S. Government? 12. What is the main function of the Congress? 13. What rights has the US President got? 14. What does the judicial branch include? 15. Name the two major political parties in the USA. 16. What is the density of population in Britain? 17. What are the most densely populated areas in Britain? 18. Are all people in Britain “English”? 19. Are there any national problems in Britain? 20. What social classes are found in Britain? 21. What Celtic languages are spoken in Britain? 22. What is the state religion in Great Britain? 23. What hobbies are popular with British people? 24. What is an eisteddfod? 25. When is the Ceremony of the Keys held? 26. What do you know about the Notting Hill Carnival? 27. What is the most popular holiday in Britain? 28. What is Hogmanay? 29. When and why is Eater marked? 30. When is Guy Fawkes’ Night celebrated? 31. What is the population of the USA? 32. Why was the US often called “a nation of immigrants”? 33. Why is it difficult to define an “average” American? 34. Explain the concepts of a “melting pot”, a “salad bowl” and a “pizza”. 35. What are the largest ethnic groups in the USA? 36. What living standards do Americans enjoy today? 37. What reputation do Americans have among other nations? 38. What are the most important values for the Americans? 39. What is the “American Dream”? 40. When is Thanksgiving Day celebrated in the USA? 41. What holiday is celebrated on July 4th? 42. How is St.Valentine’s Day celebrated in Britain and the USA? 43. What are the symbols of Halloween? 44. What carnivals are held in the USA?
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II. Explain in English what is meant by:
Legislature, judiciary, a constitutional monarchy, the Commonwealth, a constituency, a bill, the Question Time, a life peer, a hereditary peer, the lords spiritual, the Shadow Cabinet, a bylaw, statute law, common law, a system of checks and balances, amendment, the Courts of Appeals, a convention, the Anglican Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Nonconformist Churches, a “melting pot”, a “salad bowl”, the American Dream, DIY, RP, a bank holiday.
III. Choose a topic for project work or a report from those given below:
1. Elizabeth II.
2. The British monarchy in the 21st century.
3. British political parties.
4. American political parties.
- Public holidays in America.
- Holidays and festivals in Great Britain.
- British and American English.
- Celtic languages in the UK.
- The class system in Great Britain.
- The British character.
- The American character.
- Religious life in the UK and the USA.
- Family life in Britain and America.
- Native Americans today.
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