most important national holidays in the USA?
Question by Olivia O: most important national holidays in the USA?
I’m from chile and need to know about the most important national holidays in the united states and about them, what do you celebrate and the traditions, for ex on thanksgiving you eat turkey.
thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by S P
Fourth of July is a pretty big deal, fireworks all over the place, it’s a bit like New Years, just all day long.
Christmas is also a pretty big deal, though it’s pretty secular these days. Commercialism is crazy around Christmas, they start months in advance. Everyone gains about 10 pounds by the time it’s over from all the food and candy.
Halloween is another (though not a federal holiday), everyone dresses up, either parties, or if they’re young, go around door-to-door to get treats. Keeps dentists in business.
What do you think? Answer below!
Halloween, kids dress in costumes and get candy
on the 4th of July we eat and blow things up with fire works
on thanks giving we eat turkey and watch tv
then there are others that we just get mondays off from work and school
July 4 (Independence Day) – Barbecue, Picnics, Fireworks
Thanksgiving – Dinner with Turkey, Parades
Christmas – Eat, Presents, Drink, Party (probably similar in other countries)
Howdy from Texas! Below is probably more than you wanted, but choose what you may:
Holidays and Popular Dates -
“(Top of page starts with U.S. Federal Legal Holidays because on these dates many government offices, banks and businesses will be closed. After federal, many popular holidays & observances are listed.)”
United States Legal Federal Holidays
Federal Legal Holidays 2008
• January 1, 2008: New Year’s Day – We eat black eyed peas for good luck, watch football and go to parties.
• January 21, 2008: Martin Luther King Day [3rd monday in Jan] – School’s are closed also.
• February 18, 2008: Presidents Day (observed) [3rd monday in Feb]
note: Presidents Day is also Washington’s Birthday (observed)
• May 26, 2008: Memorial Day (observed) [last monday in May] – To honor our people who have served our country. We fly our flags, put flowers on graves, have parades, ceremonies, etc.
• July 4, 2008: Independence Day – To celebrate our independence. We fly our flags, have parades, etc.
• September 1, 2008: Labor Day [1st monday in Sept] – In honor of our working people. We fly our flags, have ceremonies, etc.
• October 13, 2008: Columbus Day (observed) [2nd monday in Oct]
• November 11, 2008: Veterans’ Day [Nov. 11 every year] – We fly our flags, have ceremonies, etc.
• November 27, 2008: Thanksgiving Day [4th thursday in Nov] – We fly our flags, yes – eat turkey and a bunch of other stuff, spend time with family and watch football.
• December 25, 2008: Christmas Day [Dec. 25 every year] – Before this comes we decorate our Christmas Tree, our yards, etc. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on this day. Open gifts, eat lot’s of food and be with family.
about Inauguration Day …
It comes after each U.S. presidential election, held every 4 years.
Quick note regarding federal holidays listed above: the term (observed) means the day the holiday is celebrated and a lot of people get a day off of work. Usually your bank is closed, no mail delivery, many government offices are closed, schools and the stock market might be closed, etc. … observed might not be the traditional or “real” date.
Be Aware if a federal legal holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
Sometimes … many Federal, State, City, Postal, Bank employees, other workers take an extra day off work. When the holiday falls on sunday, they might not work on the following monday. When the holiday falls on saturday, they might not work on the preceding friday.
Just for fun & some important:
Additional US Holidays, Celebrated Dates, Important Days
• January 24 [every year]: Belly Laugh Day
• February 2 [every year]: Groundhog Day – there is a designated groundhog that comes out and if he sees his shadow then we are to have we are headed for 6 more weeks of winter!
• February 12 [every year]: Lincoln’s Birthday
• February 14 [every year]: St. Valentines Day – We give candy, flowers, gifts, go out to dinner, etc.
• February 5, 2008 [Feb 24, 2009]: Fat Tuesday (a.k.a. Paczki Day) – day before Lent starts
• February 22 [every year]: Washington’s Birthday (traditional date, not observed date)
• March 17 [every year]: St. Patrick’s Day – We are suppose to wear something green or you get pinched hard. Also fountains are turned green and bars serve green beer.
• March 21, 2008 [April 10, 2009]: Good Friday (U.S. stock market is closed on this day)
• March 23, 2008 [April 12, 2009]: Easter Sunday – Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and go to church. A couple of days before we decorate eggs. Everybody has an Easter basket for hunting the hidden eggs Easter morning after the “Easter Bunny” hides them the night before.
• April 1 [every year]: April Fool’s Day – People play tricks on you.
• April 22 [every year]: Earth Day
• April 23, 2008 [April 22, 2009]: Administrative Professionals Day (National Secretary’s Day) – Usually the bosses take them out to lunch or buy flowers for them, etc.
• May 5 [every year]: Cinco de Mayo – A big celebration for the Mexicans living here.
• May 11, 2008 [May 10, 2009]: Mother’s Day [2nd sunday in May] – Call our moms, send them cards, give them gifts, take them to brunch or dinner.
• May 17, 2008 [May 16, 2009]: Armed Forces Day [3rd saturday in May]
• June 14 [every year]: Flag Day – We fly our flags!
• June 15, 2008 [June 21, 2009]: Father’s Day [3rd sunday in June] – Same as Mother’s Day
• July 27, 2008 [July 26, 2009]: Parents’ Day [4th Sunday in July]
• September 7, 2008 [Sept. 13, 2009]: Grandparents’ Day [first sunday after Labor Day] – Same as Mother’s & Father’s Day
• September 16 [every year]: Stepfamily Day
• September 17 [every year]: Citizenship Day
• Native American Day: 4th friday in September, celebrated (observed) many different days
• October 16 [every year]: Boss’s Day (National Bosses Day)
• October 18, 2008 [Oct. 17, 2009]: Sweetest Day [3rd saturday in Oct]
• October 31 [every year]: Halloween – for costumes parties, handin