1. Thanksgiving and Fourth of July One of the most important holidays in United States Autor: Agnieszka Szewerniak Agnieszka Szewerniak

2. Thanksgiving One of the most important holidays celebrated in the United States is Thanksgiving. The celebration has its roots in the very beginnings of the first settlement by the English Pilgrims in the New World. The Pilgrims arrived to a land inhabited by American. One of the most important holidays celebrated in the United States is Thanksgiving. The celebration has its roots in the very beginnings of the first settlement by the English Pilgrims in the New World. The Pilgrims arrived to a land inhabited by American.

3. The pilgrims found what they were looking for - religious freedom. But the new land wasn’t good for them and they didn’t know how to manage in new area. They could all have died of starvation soon upon their arrival. In fact, during the first winter half of the colonists died. Unfamiliar with growing crops or hunting in new circumstances, they would not have survived the next winter of 1621 except for the help of the native inhabitants of the land. The pilgrims found what they were looking for - religious freedom. But the new land wasn’t good for them and they didn’t know how to manage in new area. They could all have died of starvation soon upon their arrival. In fact, during the first winter half of the colonists died. Unfamiliar with growing crops or hunting in new circumstances, they would not have survived the next winter of 1621 except for the help of the native inhabitants of the land.

4. The residents of America Wampanoag Indians had been living in the area for many centuries before. They lived in harmony with nature taking only what was necessary, respecting plants and animals whom they treated as their relatives. They could efficiently grow corn and other crops because they knew when is the right time to begin harvest, they also knew how to hunt and fish. Wampanoag Indians had been living in the area for many centuries before. They lived in harmony with nature taking only what was necessary, respecting plants and animals whom they treated as their relatives. They could efficiently grow corn and other crops because they knew when is the right time to begin harvest, they also knew how to hunt and fish.

5. First Thanksgiving The first Thanksgiving feast was in 1621 from pilgrims to their benefactors, the Wampanoag people. The pilgrims were really gratefull because Indians taught them how to hunt, grow crops and when they should plant vegetables, they also gave them some food supplies consisted of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins. The first Thanksgiving feast was in 1621 from pilgrims to their benefactors, the Wampanoag people. The pilgrims were really gratefull because Indians taught them how to hunt, grow crops and when they should plant vegetables, they also gave them some food supplies consisted of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins. This feast lasted for three days and people celebrated there a bountiful harvest. Wampanoag Indians brought deer and the Pilgrims provided fowl (probably turkey), seafood, vegetables, fruit and nuts. This feast lasted for three days and people celebrated there a bountiful harvest. Wampanoag Indians brought deer and the Pilgrims provided fowl (probably turkey), seafood, vegetables, fruit and nuts.

6. Thanksgiving is a family event, perhaps more than any other holiday in the United States. After a full morning of preparing the meal, the whole family gathers around the table. Religious families begin the meal by saying grace and a prayer said before or after a meal. This is not surprising considering the fact that the original Thanksgiving was a religious holiday. Thanksgiving is a family event, perhaps more than any other holiday in the United States. After a full morning of preparing the meal, the whole family gathers around the table. Religious families begin the meal by saying grace and a prayer said before or after a meal. This is not surprising considering the fact that the original Thanksgiving was a religious holiday. After the meal, a TV set is switched on in many households as there has been a long tradition to watch American football on that day. The tradition known as the Thanksgiving Classic was established by the National Football League which has played games on Thanksgiving every year. Some of families go on trips somewhere in country. After the meal, a TV set is switched on in many households as there has been a long tradition to watch American football on that day. The tradition known as the Thanksgiving Classic was established by the National Football League which has played games on Thanksgiving every year. Some of families go on trips somewhere in country.

9. Thanksgiving dinner The staple menu for Thanksgiving The staple menu for Thanksgiving dinner includes : roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed and sweet potatoes, mashed and sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce cranberry sauce pumpkin or pecan pie pumpkin or pecan pie Hundreds of recipes exist for each of these foods, and most households are faithful to family recipes handed down from generation to generation. Vegetarians are not left out. Thanksgiving recipes for delicacies such as butternut squash, mushroom lasagna, Brussels sprouts with white beans, green beans and walnuts.

10. Pecan pie and pumpkin pie

11. Mashed and Cranberry sauce sweet potatoes

12. Some important dates In 1863 Thanksgiving became federal holiday and president Abraham Lincoln decided that on the last Thursday of each November Americans throughout the country should give thanks for all the good things that happened to them. In 1863 Thanksgiving became federal holiday and president Abraham Lincoln decided that on the last Thursday of each November Americans throughout the country should give thanks for all the good things that happened to them. Finally, in 1941 a congressional resolution moved the holiday to the fourth Thursday of November. Finally, in 1941 a congressional resolution moved the holiday to the fourth Thursday of November.

13. Thanksgiving is calebrated only in Canada and United States. In Canada it takes place on 2nd Monday of October. Thanksgiving is calebrated only in Canada and United States. In Canada it takes place on 2nd Monday of October.

14. 4th of July The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are America’s three most important documents. Together they are called the Charters of Freedom. Of the three, the Declaration of Independence was the first. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are America’s three most important documents. Together they are called the Charters of Freedom. Of the three, the Declaration of Independence was the first.

15. The rise of Constitution Thomas Jefferson, America's third president, prepared the text. He collaborated on the draft with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingstone and Roger Sherman. Jefferson based the Declaration on a list of grievances against the British crown prepared a little earlier by the First Continental Congress. Jefferson presented the draft for discussion at the Second Continental Congress held in Philadelphia. On July 2, 1776 the final version was agreed upon and signed. Two days later on July 4 the Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence and announced that America was breaking ties with England and forming a new nation, the United States of America. Thomas Jefferson, America's third president, prepared the text. He collaborated on the draft with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingstone and Roger Sherman. Jefferson based the Declaration on a list of grievances against the British crown prepared a little earlier by the First Continental Congress. Jefferson presented the draft for discussion at the Second Continental Congress held in Philadelphia. On July 2, 1776 the final version was agreed upon and signed. Two days later on July 4 the Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence and announced that America was breaking ties with England and forming a new nation, the United States of America.

16. The ringing of bells, ships firing guns, bands playing music and applause from the crowds that’s what was happening when the Declaration was about to be read. The document was read to the public in Philadelphia's Independence Square. The ringing of bells, ships firing guns, bands playing music and applause from the crowds that’s what was happening when the Declaration was about to be read. The document was read to the public in Philadelphia's Independence Square.

18. No other holiday in the U.S. is celebrated in an equally grandiose and spectacular way. July 4 has always been unique. Some people put the "blame" on John Adams, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence and the second president. No other holiday in the U.S. is celebrated in an equally grandiose and spectacular way. July 4 has always been unique. Some people put the "blame" on John Adams, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence and the second president.

19. Just after the signing of the Declaration, Adams wrote about the event in a letter to his wife: Just after the signing of the Declaration, Adams wrote about the event in a letter to his wife: I believe that it [the Declaration of Independence] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... It ought to be [celebrated] with pomp and parades, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illumination from one end of this continent to the other. Americans have taken these words to heart. Ever since 1777 (America’s first birthday) they have spared no cost on celebrations. When the War of Independence finished in 1783, Independence Day was made a holiday. However, it was declared a federal holiday in 1941.

20. Celebrating Today many cities organize grand fireworks shows. Today many cities organize grand fireworks shows. New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. are naturally in the lead, but the other end of the continent (again to prove John Adams right) does not stay behind. They organize BBQs and picnics, visit fairs, watch parades, fireworks and marching bands. But many people do travel and go on tours to national parks.

21. Answer the questions The kind of fowl which is eaten on Thanksgiving – Sweet pie made of corn syrup and nuts – Which Thursday do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving – When do Canadian celebrate Thanksgiving -

22. When is the holiday of Independence celenbated – Who was the president of USA during the preparation of the Declaration –