HOLIDAYS

OF
UNITED STATES
The United States of America (USA)

Commonly known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a federal republic

composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and
various possessions.

At 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km2), the United States is the world's third- or
fourth-largest country by total area and just fractionally smaller than the entire
continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles. With a population of over 325 million
people, the U.S. is the third-most populous country.

The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York City.
Forty-eight states and the capital's federal district are contiguous in North America
between Canada and Mexico.

The State of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada
to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west. The State of Hawaii is
an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U.S. territories are scattered about the
Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, stretching across nine official time zones. The
extremely diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of
the world's 17 megadiverse countries.
 New Year's Day Facts
Date: Jan 01, 2019
National
Also Called: Happy New Year
Celebrations: Fireworks, Gift Exchange, Late Night parties

New Year's Day is celebrated on 1st January in most of the

countries around the world, as most countries follow the
Gregorian calendar.

However, in some countries like China, New Year's Day, or the

first day of the New Year, is celebrated according to their own
calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. However, most of
the countries in the world today observe the New Year's Day on
January 1 every year.
 Martin Luther King Day / M L King Day Facts
Date: Jan 21, 2019
National
Also Called: Día de Martin Luther King
Celebrations: volunteers in citizen action groups

Martin Luther King Day is a national holiday in the USA, celebrated on

3rd Monday of January each year. This day honors the birthday of the
veteran leader and a great man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King was born on 15th January, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was
excellent in studies. In his early life he faced racism, which made a deep
impact in his life, than he decided to fight against such social injustice
through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.
 Valentine's Day Facts
Date: Feb 14, 2019
National
Also Called: Saint Valentine's Day
Celebrations: Dating, Gift exchange

Valentine's Day is celebrated on 14th February every year

across the world. Largely a Western tradition, the day is now
celebrated in a major way in the eastern part of the world as
well in countries like India and China.

The day is named after a Christian martyr Saint Valentine and is

celebrated to commemorate the love between companions.
 President's Day Facts
Date: Feb 18, 2019
National
Also Called: Washington's Birthday
Celebrations: Historical celebrations; honoring the veterans, Congressional recognition

President's Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated every year on the
Third Monday of February to honor George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and also
all the Presidents of the country.

Until 1971 both 12th February and 22nd February were celebrated as public holidays to
honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington . In 1971 President
Richard Nixon declared the Presidents' Day as one federal public holiday to honor all
the Presidents of the United States.
 Easter Facts
Date: Apr 21, 2019
Religious
Also Called: Easter Sunday
Celebrations: Prayer, Donation to poor, Easter egg hunting

Easter is a festival celebrated by Christians to commemorate the

resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The date of the festival is not fixed. It is celebrated on the First Sunday of
a full moon day after March 21.

It usually falls between March 21 and April 25.

The festival celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and is considered as a

rebirth of Christianity.The earliest references of the celebration of this
festival date back to the 2nd century. In ancient history, many controversies
arose regarding the celebration of this festival.
 Mother's Day Facts
Date: May 12, 2019
National (USA & Other)
Also Called:
Celebrations: Sending gifts to Mother

Mother's Day is celebrated in honor of the mothers. It is celebrated every

year in USA and in some other countries on 2nd Sunday of May.

Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day suggested the idea of celebrating
Mother's Day in honor of mothers and motherhood in 1907. She succeeded
in making this nationally recognized in 1914.
 Father's Day Facts
Date: Jun 16, 2019
National (USA & Other)
Also Called:
Celebrations: Send gifts to father, Family reunions

Father's Day is celebrated in honor of Fathers and Father like figures. It is

celebrated on the Third Sunday of June in the USA and in some other
countries.

Mrs. Sonora Dodd is believed to be the first person suggested the idea of
celebrating Father's Day in honor of fathers in 1909.The first Father's day
was celebrated in USA on 19th June, 1910.

On this day people used to honor their fathers or the father like persons
who have a great contribution and a huge impact in their lives. Everyone has
their own way to celebrate Father's day.
 Independence Day (USA) Facts
Date: Jul 04, 2019
National
Also Called: The Fourth of July
Celebrations: Fireworks, Parades, Family reunions

Independence Day also known as the Fourth of July is the National holiday of
the United States of America. Independence Day honors the birthday of the
nation. On July 4, 1776 the United States claimed its independence from
England by signing the declaration of independence and the democracy was
born.

Independence Day in the USA is always observed on July 4, unless that date
falls on a Sunday, in this case it is observed on the following day.
 Labor Day Facts
Date: Sep 02, 2019
National
Also Called: Labour Day
Celebrations: Parades, Family reunions, Picnics, Fireworks and Public art events

Labor Day is one of the ten federal holidays in the United States. It is
observed on the first Monday of September.

Labor Day celebrates workers and their various labor unions that contribute
to the growing American economy. It is a national tribute to workers'
contributions to the prosperity and the well being of the country. The holiday
came to be through tireless efforts of the labor movement in the 19th
century. The day has a bloody history as workers fought for their rights.
 Halloween Facts
Date: Oct 31, 2018
National
Also Called: 31st October
Celebrations: Bonfires, Games, Trick-or-Treat, Wearing Costumes,

Halloween is celebrated on 31st October every year. Halloween is the

modern name of an ancient Celtic holiday "Samhain".

People celebrate this day as a spiritual beginning of a new year. The various
activities done in Halloween are mostly associated with the idea to obtain
good fortune.
 Thanksgiving Day (USA) Facts
Date: Nov 22, 2018
National
Also Called: Harvest Festival
Celebrations: Family get together
Thanksgiving Day bears its origin from the harvest festival. Generally,
Americans give thanks to God for their autumn harvest and every other
success they have achieved in the year.

Thanksgiving Day in the US is observed on the fourth Thursday in November.

The day was declared a federal holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It is also
a day off to American workers.

When Is Thanksgiving?

Americans observe Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of

November every year. The day is usually preceded by the Black Friday. This
makes an ideal time to start Christmas shopping.Why is Thanksgiving in
November?
 Christmas Facts
Date: Dec 25, 2018
Religious
Also Called: 25th December
Celebrations: Wearing costumes, Home decoration, Family gathering, Gift exchange

Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated by the Christians, on 25th December,

in the major part of the world, to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Christians
believe that Jesus is the son of God, the Messiah sent from Heaven to save the
world.

It is believed that Jesus was born to Mary in Bethlehem around two thousand years
ago. Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for him and for his
parents, Mary and Joseph. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an
early English phrase that means Mass of Christ.
THANKSGIVING
 THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

• Thanksgiving is a special holiday where families

and friends get together to celebrate the things
they are thankful for in their lives.
• Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of
November but in Canada, it’s celebrated on the second
Monday in October.
 THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

• Thanksgiving is a federal
holiday, so schools, banks, post
offices, and government
offices are closed.
HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING

• In 1620 a group of men, women and

children left England and came to North
America on a big ship called the Mayflower
with food, rifles, and tools to build.

• They decided to left England to start a new

life where they could have religious
freedom. They were called the Pilgrims.
 HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING

• The first Thanksgiving was in November

1621 when the Pilgrims invited the Native
Americans to a three-day feast to
celebrate the autumn harvest.

• They also used this holiday to thank God

for what they had in their lives.
 TODAY’S THANKSGIVING FEAST

• On Thanksgiving, families usually eat a big meal. The most

popular thing to eat on Thanksgiving is turkey.
• The turkey is usually prepared whole, filled with fruit,
vegetables or other stuffing. It’s also usually seasoned,
which means covered in herbs for flavor and smell.
• The turkey is then roasted, meaning cooked in an oven
or over an open fire.
 THANKSGIVING FOODS

• Popular foods that they eat on Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Stuffing Mashed Pumpkin Pie

Sauce Potatoes and
Gravy
 THE FIRST THANKSGIVING FEAST

The Pilgrims and Native Americans did not eat turkey for their first
Thanksgiving dinner. Pilgrims hunted ducks and deer to eat. Everyone also
ate seafood, cabbage, onions, corn, fruits, nuts, and squash.

Deer Duck Squash Seafood Fruits and Nuts

 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THANKSGIVING

1. Each year at Thanksgiving, the President of the United States receives a gift of a live
turkey to pardon its life.
 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THANKSGIVING

2. Some people volunteer to serve food at homeless shelters on Thanksgiving Day.

 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THANKSGIVING

3. Many families watch the New York City Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade includes
marching bands, floats, songs and performances. People also enjoy televised football games.
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