Figure 1.--. |
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The standard holidays including New Year, Valentine Day, Easter, Veteran's Day (previously Armistace Day), and Christmas are important in America. Destinctly American holidays include Dr. King's birthday, President's day, St. Patrick's Day, the 4th of July, Columbus day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Both St. Patrick's Day and Coloumbus Day honor the contribution of ethnic minorities and their role in building America. St. Patrick's Day is of course a traditional Irish celebration, but it in fact was a minor event in Ireland until popularized by nostalgic immigrants in the large American cities like Boston and New York. The most American of holiday is the 4th of July and all the fireworks, parades, and associated hoopla. This major U.S. holiday is about fire works and the rockets red glare. Some one may dress up as Uncle Sam or the Revolutionary war soldiers with fide, drum, and
and bugle scene. The Cubs and Scouts particuate in parades. And of course before the fireworks are picnics and cookouts. Halloween is a major American holiday that has begun to spread to other countries. Thanksgiving is another uniquely Americam holiday. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, giving thanks for the bounty of the land. Children dress up in Pilgrim and Native American costumes at school to celebrate the holiday. At home the centerpice is a huge turkey dinner. Often the entire family gathers at their parents or grandparents house for the event. Unlike some other
holiday, however, the children do not generally dressup, even for the turkey dinner. Contrary to widely held views, America is a deeply religious country. Probably more Americans attend Church than the the citizens of any European country. Thus
the religious nature of Amristmas is important in many American families. Undeniably, however, Santa Claus now plays a central role in an American child's
Christmas. American children diligently take their Christmas lists to Santa Clause. Some now even have computerized lists. Some American children in fact see Santa and his raindeer as a much more important figure than Jesus. Given the media blitz, parents have to work hard to maintain traditions beyound tye commercial extravanganza.
The United States used to celebrate Washington and Lincoln's borthday separately. (Lincoln's birthday was not celebrated in the South.) Now we celebrate President's Day.
Both St. Patrick's Day and Coloumbus Day honor the contribution of ethnic minorities and their role in building America. St. Patrick's Day is of course a traditional Irish celebration, but it in fact was a minor event in Ireland until popularized by nostalgic immigrants in the large American cities like Boston and New York.
Religious celebrations vary widely in American, depending on the family's national and religious background. Palm fronds are blessed in some churches. Americans traditionally have an Easter "parade." Prople in towns and cities used to walk to church in their newest clothes. It became traditional to buy new spring clothes, including a new suit. Of course no parade was more famous than the parade down 5th Avenue in New York. New York was and continues to be the fashion hub of the United States. Men used to dress formally and women and girls traditionally had a brand new Easter bonnet. An example of a family all dressed up for Easter is a Pennsylvania family in 1966. Brightly colored eggs are important part of the celebration for the children. In some areas they are given out on Easter morning. Many families have a good time decorating the eggs. Commonly the eggs are then hidden--but not very well so they can easily bevfound. The children have an enjoyable time hunting for them. Egg-rolling is another Easter pastime. Beginning with the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, an egg-rollilng contest has been held each year on the White House lawn in Washington. Today pastic eggs are making inroads against real eggs. There are also loads of candy for easter, the two favorites are chocolate eggs and bunnies.
The most American of holiday is the 4th of July and all the fireworks, parades, and associated hoopla. This major U.S. holiday is about fire works and the rockets red glare. Some one may dress up as Uncle Sam or the Revolutionary war soldiers with fide, drum, and
and bugle scene. The Cubs and Scouts particuate in parades. And of course before the fireworks are picnics and cookouts.
Halloween has become one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals on the contemporary American calendar, and it is not even officially a holiday. No day off is given for Halloween, no federal decree is proclaimed establishing it as a national holiday. People simply do it. Halloween has a number of mostly European influences, none more important than the Irish who began emigrating to America in large numbers with their Celtic Halloween tradituons. In recent years, American Halloween has begun to spread to other countries. The Halloween that the Irish brought to America was a raukus, largely adult festival. Americands significantly transforned it. And it became a largely children's holiday by the turn of the 20th century. Kids of course loved dressing up and raking in candy for trick or treat. What more could a kid ask for than a fun day and coming home with a huge bag full of candy. In recent years Halloween has become increasingly popular with adults.
Veteran's Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the World War I Armistace on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Thanksgiving is another uniquely Americam holiday. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, giving thanks for the bounty of the land. Children dress up in Pilgrim and Native American costumes at school to celebrate the holiday. At home the centerpice is a huge turkey dinner. Often the entire family gathers at their parents or grandparents house for the event. Unlike some other
holiday, however, the children do not generally dressup, even for the turkey dinner. Contrary to widely held views, America is a deeply religious country.
Probably more Americans attend Church than the the citizens of any European country. Thus
the religious nature of Christmas is important in many American families. Undeniably, however, Santa Claus now plays a central role in an American child's
Christmas. American children diligently take their Christmas lists to Santa Clause. Some now even have computerized lists. Some American children in fact see Santa and his raindeer as a much more important figure than Jesus. Given the media blitz, parents have to work hard to maintain traditions beyound tye commercial extravanganza.
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