Реферат: American Holidays (14ш,1.5и,10л)

Реферат: American Holidays (14ш,1.5и,10л)

Комсомольск-на-Амуре

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Реферат Referat

«American Holidays»

2 14ШР, ARIAL, 1.5ИНТ, 10Л

EDITED BY 2003-09-21

American Holidays

American Holidays is an introductory survey of the historical and social

background of American holidays.

People in every culture celebrate holidays. Although the word "holiday"

literally means "holy day," most American holidays are not religious, but

commemorative in nature and origin. Because the nation is blessed with rich

ethnic heritage it is possible to trace some of the American holidays to

diverse cultural sources and traditions, but all holidays have taken on a

distinctively American flavor. In the United States, the word "holiday" is

synonymous with "celebration! "

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.

Martin Luther King Day

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a black clergyman who is ranked

among the greatest of black Americans because of his crusade to win full

civil rights for his people. Preaching nonviolence, much in the same way as

had Mahatma Gandhi of India, Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke and campaigned

tirelessly to rid the United States of traditions and laws that forced on

black Americans the status of second-class citizens. Among these laws were

those in some states which required black people to take back seats in buses

or which obstructed voting by blacks.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, African Americans, led by Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr., used boycotts, marches, and other forms of nonviolent

protest to demand equal treatment under the law and an end to racial

prejudice. A high point of this civil rights movement came on August 28,

1963, when more than 200,000 people of all races gathered in front of the

Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to hear King say: "I have a dream that

one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of

former slaveholders will be able to sit down together at the table of

brotherhood....I have a dream that my four little children will one day live

in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by

the content of their character."

Not long afterwards the U.S. Congress passed laws prohibiting discrimination

in voting, education, employment, housing, and public accommodations.

The world was shocked when Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Ever since,

special memorial services have marked his birthday on January 15. By vote of

Congress, the third Monday of every January, beginning in 1986, is now a

federal holiday in Dr. King's honor.

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.

Memorial Day

This holiday, on the fourth Monday of every May, is a day on which Americans

honor the dead. Originally a day on which flags and flowers were placed on

graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War, it has become a day on

which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered the same way.

In 1971, along with other holidays, President Richard Nixon declared Memorial

Day a federal holiday on the last Monday in May. Cities all around the United

States hold their own ceremonies on the last Monday in May to pay respect to

the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country.

In many communities, special ceremonies are held in cemeteries or at

monuments for the war dead by veterans of military services. Some hold

parades and others hold memorial services or special programs in churches,

schools or other public meeting places.

Memorial Day is not limited to honor only those Americans from the armed

forces. It is also a day for personal remembrance. Families and individuals

honor the memories of their loved ones who have died. Church services, visits

to the cemetery, flowers on graves or even silent tribute mark the day with

dignity and solemnity.

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. Veterans and families come to lay their own wreaths

and say prayers. It is a day of reflection.

However, to many Americans the day also signals the beginning of summer with

a three-day weekend to spend at the beach, in the mountains or at home

relaxing.

Independence Day (July 4)

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. On July 4, 1976, the 200th anniversary of

the Declaration of Independence was marked by grand festivals across the

nation.

Independence Day 2001 commemorated the 225th anniversary of the signing of

the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Labor Day

This holiday, which always is observed on the first Monday of September has

been a federal holiday since 1894, but was observed in some places before

that day as a result of a campaign by an early organization of workers called

the Knights of Labor. Its purpose is to honor the nation's working people. In

many cities the day is marked by parades of working people representing the

labor unions.

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. For many students it marks the opening of the school year.

Columbus Day

This day commemorates Italian navigator Christopher Columbus' landing in the

New World on October 12, 1492. Most nations of the Americas observe this

holiday on October 12, but in the United States, annual observances take

place on the second Monday in October. The major celebration of the day takes

place in New York City, which holds a huge parade each year.

Veterans Day

Originally called Armistice Day, this holiday was established to honor

Americans who had served in World War I. It falls on November 11, the day

when that war ended in 1918, but it now honors veterans of all wars in which

the United States has fought.

Veterans' organizations hold parades or other special ceremonies, and the

president customarily places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at

Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Thanksgiving

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.

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.

Christmas

Christmas is a most important religious holy day for Christians, who attend

special church services to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Because

it is a religious holiday, it is not an official holiday. However, since most

Americans are Christian, the day is one on which most businesses are closed

and the greatest possible number of workers, including government employees,

have the day off. Many places even close early on the day before.

Naturally Christians observe Christmas according to the traditions of their

particular church. Besides the strictly religious traditions, however, other

common Christmas practices are observed by people who are not religious or

who are not Christian. In this way, some Christmas traditions have become

American traditions.

Gift-giving is so common at Christmas time that for most stores it means a

sharp increase in sales. Stores, in fact, are full of shoppers from

Thanksgiving time in late November until the day before Christmas. This

situation has caused many religious people to complain that the religious

meaning of Christmas is being subverted, that Christmas has become

"commercial." Despite the criticism, Christmas shopping is a major activity

of many Americans in the month of December. Gifts are given to children,

members of the family and close friends. They are given to people who have

done favors to others or who work for them. Some people bake cookies or make

candies or other special food treats for friends and neighbors. Many

businesses give their workers a Christmas "bonus" - gifts of extra money - to

show appreciation for their work. Christmas is also a time when most

Americans show great generosity to other less fortunate than they. They send

money to hospitals or orphanages or contribute to funds that help the poor.

Most Americans send greeting cards to their friends and family at Christmas

time. Some people who are friends or relatives and live great distances from

each other may not be much in contact with each other during year - but will

usually exchange greeting cards and often a Christmas letter telling their

family news.

The decorating of homes for Christmas is very common. Most American who

observe Christmas have a Christmas tree in their homes. This may be a real

evergreen tree or an artificial one. In either case, the tree is decorated

and trimmed with small lights and ornaments. Other decorations such as lights

and wreaths of evergreen and signs wishing a "Merry Christmas" can be found

inside and outside of many homes.

In 1971, the dates of many federal holidays were officially moved to the

nearest Monday by then-President Richard Nixon. There are four holidays which

are not necessarily celebrated on Mondays: Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Day,

Independence Day and Christmas Day. When New Year's Day, Independence Day, or

Christmas Day 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 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.

Federal holidays are observed according to the legislation of individual

states. The dates of these holidays, and others, are decided upon by each

state government, not by the federal (national) government. Each state can

agree on the same date that the President has proclaimed, such as

Thanksgiving Day. State legislation can also change the date of a holiday for

its own special commemoration. Cities and towns can decide not to celebrate a

federal legal holiday at all. However, the majority of the states (and the

cities and towns within them) usually choose the date or day celebrated by

the rest of the nation. There are other "legal" or "public" holidays which

are observed at the state or local level. The closing of local government

offices and businesses will vary. Whether citizens have the day off from work

or not depends on local decisions.