 It is on the third Sunday of June.  Children sent their fathers gifts, cards, take them to dinner or spent time with them.  It is not a federal holiday. Organizations, businesses and stores are like any other Sunday.  Public transit systems run to their normal Sunday schedules.

 A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was an influential figure in the establishment of Father's Day. (Her father raised six children by himself after the death of their mother. Sonora was inspired by the work of Anna Jarvis, who had pushed for Mother's Day celebrations. She felt that her father deserved recognition)  The first time Father's Day was held in June was in  Father's Day was officially recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon

 Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 and is often known as "the Fourth of July "  It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776  It is a federal holiday.  Government offices and schools are closed. Some businesses may be closed as well.

 Many people display the American flag on their homes.  Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States.  Many communities arrange fireworks that are often accompanied by patriotic music.  Many politicians appear at public events to show their support for the history, heritage and people of their country.

 Activities associated with the day include o Watermelon o hotdog eating competitions o sporting events; o baseball games o swimming activities o tug-of-war games.

 It is on the first Monday of September.  It commemorates the American working tradition.  The first Labor Day was held in  Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers.  It became a federal holiday in  All Government offices, schools and organizations are closed.

 Some public celebrations, such as fireworks displays, picnics and barbecues, are organized  It is a day of rest or the last chance for many people to go on trips before the summer ends.  The football season starts and many teams play their first game of the year during Labor Day weekend.

 Columbus Day is on the second Monday of October.  It remembers Christopher Columbus' arrival to the Americas on October 12,  It is a public holiday.  Government offices and schools are generally closed, but businesses may be open.  The flag of the United States is displayed on Government buildings

 In some towns and cities, special church services, parades and large events are held.  This holiday is controversial because the European settlement in the Americas led to the demise of the history and culture of the indigenous people.

 It is celebrated on October 31.  It is not a holiday, but rather a festival.  Many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is a time when magic is most potent and spirits can make contact with the physical world.( Ghosts and witches can be seen.)  People carve lanterns with 'scary' faces out of pumpkins or other vegetables. These were traditionally intended to ward off evil spirits

 Many children dress up in fancy costumes and visit other homes in the neighborhood.  At each house, they demand sweets, snacks or a small gift.  If they do not get this, they threaten to do some harm to the inhabitants of the house.

 One cause that ties with Halloween is collecting donations for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).  The money collected is given to UNICEF and used to help needy children worldwide.

on November 11. It is a federal holiday. Veterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel It is marked by parades and church services the American flag is hung at half mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am.

What do people do? 4 Thursday of November federal holiday a time for many people to give thanks for what they have. a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal.

Thanksgiving Day Recipes The meal often includes; a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables

Tradition of Gifting a time for gifting family and friends. a time to show your gratitude and respect to your elders, friends, your siblings and also your colleagues. Popular gifts ; thanksgiving flowers, jewellery, baked cookie hampers, chocolate gift baskets, candy-wreaths, wine etc.

Public life Most government offices, businesses, schools and other organizations are closed. Thanksgiving day is the official beginning of the Christmas season offices and businesses are also closed on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.Friday after Thanksgiving Day The following Friday after thanksgiving is famously known as 'Black Friday'.'Black Friday'.

Black Friday a busy shopping day and a holiday Many stores have special offers and lower their prices on some goods, such as toys Busiest periods for travel in the USA.

Thanksgiving Day parades are held in some cities and towns mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. have a four-day weekend time for trips and to visit family and friends

backgraund Thanksgiving celebration started when the pligrams to Massachusetts survived the harsh winter in 1621 with the help of native Americans. They helped them learn how to grow corn,a new food for the colonists. They showed them other crops to grow such as beans and pumpkins and how to hunt fish. The colonists had much to be thankful for, so a feast was planned.

Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday honoring African culture and traditions. December 26 through January 1 not public holiday.

Steps of celebrating Kwanzaa Decorate around the room with Kwanzaa flags, called Bendera, and posters emphasizing the seven principles. Starting on December 26, greet everyone by saying "Habari Gani" which is a standard greeting meaning "what is the news?" A Kwanzaa ceremony often also includes performance of music and drumming.

Women often wear brightly colored traditional clothing. Have the Kwanzaa Karamu (feast) on the sixth day (New Year's Eve). It is traditionally held on December 31 st. The gifts are usually exchanged between the parents and children and are given out traditionally on January 1st, the last day of Kwanzaa.

Symbols A mat, on which to put the things needed for the celebration, the unity cup used to pour libations, a candle stick holding seven candles, ears of corn, the Kwanzaa flag and a poster depicting the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa unity self-determination and collective work Responsibility co-operative economics Purpose creativity and earth.

on December 25 Federal holiday Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The biggest festival of the year Most businesses are closed

What do people do? decorate their homes and gardens with lights, Christmas trees and much more. It is common to organize a special meal, often consisting of turkey and a lot of other festive foods, for family or friends exchange gifts with them.

This has led to Christmas Day becoming an increasingly commercialized holiday, with a lot of families spending a large part of their income on gifts and food. Many Sunday schools, churches and communities organize special events like concerts. Some groups arrange meals, shelter or charitable projects for people without a home or with very little money.

Symbols baby Jesus, the Nativity (The birth of Jesus ) the Three Kings, Santa Claus, Reindeer. Common objects at this time of year are; pine trees, holly, decorations, fairy lights, candles and presents.