Holidays

Holidays in the United States

People in each culture celebrate holidays. Although the word holiday" literally means "holy day," most American holidays are not religious, but commemorative in nature and origin.

In the strict sense, there are no national holidays in the United States. Each of the 50 states establishes its own legal holidays. The federal government, through the president and Congress, can legally set holidays only for federal employees and for the District of Columbia. Most states, however, accept the federal legal holidays. Holidays for all federal offices, most state and local government offices, and many (but not all) businesses are: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King's Birthday (3rd Monday in January), Washington's Birthday, sometimes called "Presidents' Day" (3rd Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day (1st Monday in September), Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October), Veteran's Day (November 11th), Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25th).

When New Year's Day, Independence Day, or Christmas falls on a Sunday, the next day is also a holiday. When one of these holidays falls on a Saturday, the previous day is also a holiday. Federal government offices, including the post office, are always closed on all federal legal holidays, whereas schools and businesses close on major holidays like Independence Day and Christmas but may not always be closed, for example, on George Washington's Birthday or Veterans' Day.

New Year's Day
New Year's Eve, the beginning of the new year, has been welcomed on different dates throughout history. Ways of celebrating differ as well, according to the customs and religions of the world. People in Moslem societies, for example, celebrate the new year by wearing new clothes, white Southeast Asians release birds and turtles to assure themselves good luck in the twelve months ahead. Jewish people consider the day holy and hold a religious ceremony at a meal with special foods. Japanese prepare rice cakes at a social event the week before the new year. Whatever the custom, most people feel the same sentiment. With a new year, we can expect a new life. We wish each other good luck and promise ourselves to do better in the following year.

In the United States, the legal holiday is January 1st, but Americans begin celebrating on December 31st. Sometimes people have masquerade balls, where guests dress up in costumes and cover their faces with masks. According to an old tradition, guests unmask at midnight.

Most of the television channels show Times Square in the heart of New York City. At one minute before midnight, a lighted ball drops slowly from the top of a pole on one of the buildings. People count down at the same time as the ball drops. When it reaches the bottom, the New Year sign is lighted. People hug and kiss, and wish each other a "Happy New Year!" At parties, people sing this Scottish traditional song as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. The expression "auld lang syne" means "the old days gone by."

Martin Luther King's Day
Martin Luther King struggled for the equal rights of African-American and white citizens of the United States.

On August 23, 1963, a crowd of more than 2,500 people gathered in Washington, D.C., and marched to the Capitol Building to support the passing of laws that guaranteed every American equal civil rights. Martin Luther King was at the front of the "March on Washington." On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that day, Dr. King delivered a speech that was later entitled "I Have a Dream." The march was one of the largest gatherings of black and white people that the nation's capital had ever seen, and no violence occurred.

In 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated while he was leading a workers' strike in Memphis. Americans now honor his birthday to remember this great man of peace and equality.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday (February 12th) and George Washington's Birthday (February 22nd) (Presidents' Day)
Americans consider the birthdays of their outstanding citizens George Washington and Abraham Lincoln public holidays.

Washington is called "the father of the nation," for he was the first president of the United States. The capital of the country, Washington, D.C., was named in his honor.

Abraham Lincoln is considered by many the greatest of all American heroes. During his term as president, the Civil War broke out. The most outstanding achievements of the Lincoln presidency were the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery.

Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
This day was established to honor those who died in the American Civil War. It is not limited to honor only those Americans from the armed forces. Families and individuals honor the memories of their loved ones who have died with church services and visits to the cemetery, where they lay flowers on the graves. Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is the nation's largest national cemetery. Flags are placed on each grave in the early hours of the Friday morning before Memorial Day.

On Memorial Day, the president or vice president of the United States gives a speech and lays a wreath on the tombs. Members of the armed forces shoot a rifle salute in the air.

Independence Day (July 4th)
This is the most important holiday of the nation, which celebrates its birthday. On this day in 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the famous Declaration of Independence. Communities have day-long picnics with their favorite foods like hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, and all the fixings. The afternoon activities could not be complete without lively music, a friendly baseball game, three-legged races, and a pie-eating or watermelon-eating contest. Some cities have parades with people dressed as the original founding fathers who march in parades to the music of high school bands. At dusk, people in towns and cities gather to watch the fireworks display. Wherever Americans are around the globe, they get together for a traditional 4th of July celebration!

Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
On September 5th, 1882, the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Today some cities have parades and community picnics. Many politicians "kick off their political campaigns by holding rallies on the holiday. Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.

Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October)
Christopher Columbus, an Italian, discovered the American continents in 1492 by accident, while seeking a short route to Asia. Thus, he called the natives the "Indians" and the islands he explored the "West Indies," which bear this name to this day. This event is widely celebrated in most Latin American countries as well. The District of Columbia was named in his honor, as well as many cities, squares, and streets.

Veterans' Day (November 11th)
This day, like Memorial Day, is a solemn occasion in honor of all American veterans of all wars. In many communities veterans march in parades, national flags are displayed, and special ceremonies, observing a two-minute silence, are held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
It is the oldest national holiday. The Pilgrims, the first English settlers searching for religious freedom, came on the Mayflower to Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts, in 1620. They suffered a very hard year. By the autumn of the next year, assisted by the Indians, they had a good harvest. A feast of turkey and pumpkin pie was given to celebrate the harvest and to give thanks to God for their survival. The old traditions of their feast are observed throughout the country today.

Thanksgiving is a time for tradition and sharing. Even if they live far away, family members gather for a reunion at the house of an older relative. All give thanks together for the good things that they have. Civic groups and charitable organizations offer a traditional meal to those in need, particularly the homeless. Foods eaten at the first Thanksgiving have become traditional.

Thanksgiving Menu:
roast turkey stuffed with herb-flavored bread crumbs
cranberry jelly
white mashed potatoes
pumpkin pie
Other menus vary as to regions: ham
sweet potatoes creamed corn mincemeat pie

Christmas Day (December 25th)
Christmas is a joyful religious holiday, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The story of Christmas comes from the Bible. The angel Gabriel appeared to shepherds and told them that a Savior had been born to Mary and Joseph in a stable in Bethlehem. Three wise men from the east (the Magi) followed a wondrous star which led them to the baby Jesus, to whom they paid homage and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

To people all over the world, Christmas is a season of giving and receiving presents. In Scandinavia and other European countries, Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas comes into houses in the night and leaves gifts for the children.

Immigrant settlers brought Father Christmas to the United States. This name was gradually changed to Santa Claus. Americans gave him a white beard, dressed him in a red suit, and made him a cheery old gentleman with red cheeks and a twinkle in his eye.

American children believe that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with his wife. All year he lists the names of children, both those who have been good and those who have been bad. He decides what presents to give to the good children. He oversees the manufacturing and wrapping of the presents by his little helpers.

On December 24, Christmas Eve, Santa delivers presents to children all around the world. Giving these presents is a Christmas tradition. Special Christmas songs, or carols, are sung and heard all during the holiday season.

Another important custom of Christmas is to send and receive Christmas cards. Some are religious in nature; others are more secular. Americans begin sending cards early in December to friends, acquaintances, and co-workers.

Going home for Christmas is the most cherished tradition of the holiday season. This means that the house will be full of cousins, aunts, and uncles that might not see each other during the year.

On Christmas Eve, there are evening church services called Midnight Mass, which everyone attends. Attention is focused on the nativity scene, while all join in singing carols. Many churches and communities also perform a Christmas Pageant, where people play the parts of those present at the birth of Christ, such as Mary, Joseph, and the three wise men.

The Christmas table looks much like a Thanksgiving feast of turkey or ham, potatoes, and pie. No Christmas is complete without a lot of desserts.

Lilo Zsolnay - USA Country Studies