Holidays, Festivals, Celebrations – the UK and the USA

January: New Year´s Day- 1st January observed with fireworks in the midnight- new year starts making New Year´s resolutions calling one´s friends and family First Footing Martin Luther King´s Day-third Monday of January Martin Luther King- american civil rights leader educational establishments – work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism

February: Lincoln´s Birthday- on or around 12th February re- enactments, concerts and birthday parties Organizations Valentine´s Day- 14th February festival of romantic love sending cards or letters, flowers or presents to their partner arranging romantic meal in a restaurant or a night in a hotel symbols: hearts, red roses, Cupid

February- March: Washington´s Birthday- 22nd February = President´s day schools- organized events and lessons for students about the presidents St. David´s Day- 1st March St. David- the patron saint of Wales pinning daffodils or leeks to their clothes children- wear traditional costumes traditional meal: cawl Welsh flag- often seen

March- April: St. Patrick´s Day- 17th March St. Patrick- the patron saint of Ireland celebrated in Irish pubs and cities (for example: Nottingham) a parade, children´s workshops, arts festivals- London St. George´s Day- 23rd April St. George- the patron saint of England celebrated with parades, dancing and other activities flags with image of St. George´s cross wearing a red rose on their lapel

April- May: Shakespeare´s Birthday- 23rd April special pageants- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire Holy Trinity Church some schools- regular lessons about Shakespeare not a bank holiday May Day- 1st May originated as a Roman festival honoring the beginning of summer season maypole dancing

May: Mother´s Day- 2nd May celebrates motherhood, time to appreciate mothers and mother figures gifts, cards, flowers, candy, a meal in restaurant Memorial Day- 30th May formerly known as Decoration day commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States people visit cemeteries and memorials people choose to hold picnics, sports events and

June: Queen´s Official Birthday- Saturday after 9th June visiting friends and family Australia- football matches Midsummer Day- 24th June the feast of St. John the Baptist Stonehenge

July- September Independence Day- 4th July 1776- declaration of independence from Great Britain patriotic displays, family events, fireworks Labor Day- first Monday of September fireworks displays, barbecues, sports events, public arts start of the American football season

October – November: Columbus Day- 12th October 1492- Columbus arrival church services Guy Fawkes Day- 5th November anniversary of discovery of a plot organized by a Catholic conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament- 1605 lighting bonfires, set off fireworks popular foods

November: Remembrance Day- 11th November commemorating a sacrifices in past wars 2 minutes of silence symbol: poppy Whitehall Veterans´ Day- 11th November signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I masts- American flags church services

November: Thanksgiving Day- fourth Thursday of November The Indians helped the immigrants from Europe families- special meal St. Andrew´s Day- 30th November St. Andrew- the patron Saint of Scotland Scotland- Ceilidh Dancing = social event with couples dancing in circles peeling apple

UK- Easter and Christmas Easter- the first Sunday after the full moon confectionery industry rolling eggs searching eggs, that the Easter Bunny hid somewhere decorating Easter bonnets Moris dancing cross buns- bread buns with currants and spices Christmas- Christmas Eve- 24th December - Christmas Day- 25th December - Boxing Day- 26th December holly, ivy, mistletoe

Christmas Carols Father Christmas or Santa Claus- children give mince pie Wassailing- huge bowls Christmas Day- roast turkey, roast vegetables, cranberry sauce, bread sauce Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cracker, Christmas Cake

USA- Easter and Christmas: Easter- church services decoration eggs Easter egg hunts- organized by local businesses or churches Christmas- Christmas Pickle Santa Claus- children sit on his knee Christmas lights