美国传统节日介绍(英文)

US traditional festival introduction

Every month of the year has something special to celebrate in the U.S. Throughout the years, the U.S.Congress has passed laws declaring special days as official observances known as federal holidays. Each federal holiday represents a day when federal employees and many other workers have a paid day off from their jobs. There are some holidays we celebrate that are not federal holidays but are very popular holidays to celebrate

January

The first day of January is New Year's Day. This federal holiday celebrates the beginning of each New Year. People in the U.S sometimes spend this day watching college football games and parades.

On the third Monday in January, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. 's birthday as a federal holiday. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked to change laws so that all people in the U.S would be treated fairly. He worked for change in the 1950s and 60s when many states had laws separating black and white people. Martin Luther King taught people to use peaceful demonstrations to change laws, instead of violence. Many laws were changed because of his work. Many people worked with him in the hope that the U.S could be a fair country for all people.

In January or February many people in the U.S celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year falls between January 10th and February 19th. The date changes because it is from a calendar based on the moon, not the sun. On this day, many families clean their homes of all the “old” and get ready for the New Year. They wear new clothes and share delicious food. They give each other red envelopes with money for good luck in the coming year. They also light firecrackers to chase away bad luck.

On January 1 new year (New Year's Day)

The new year is the entire US various states consistent celebration's main holiday. The American crosses the new year, what is liveliest is the lunar New Year's Eve evening. Is the night, the people gather at the church, the street corner or the square, sings the poem, the pray, the blessing, the confession, as soon as and welcomes that to abolish the old and establish the new together flickers. 12:00 o'clock at night, the nation church bell sounds together, the orchestra plays famous high remembers past times the song "Bon voyage". In the musical sound, the excited people hug in together, harbors is reluctant to part ways sad and to the new life yearned for that welcomes together the new year.

New year in the US is not the liveliest holiday, but still had many grand celebrations, California's rose flower show is the American scale greatest new year magnificent ceremony, at the appointed time uses the fresh flower is specially the parade float which the rose grips is continuous several miles, on the vehicle chocks up each kind of model which the fresh flower does, not only attracts California's everybody to crowd around the street corner, moreover is also attracting over a million television viewers. In the Philadelphia, has the hold to put on makeup parade's tradition, participates in parade's people, some dress up the comedian clown, some dress up the woman (according to ancient custom, this parade does not allow woman to participate), sings and dances along with the parade float, extremely busy.

The American also has an interesting custom, is makes a vow in the new year to resolve, they called that it “is determined the new year”. This determinations are usually not the grand plan lofty aspirations, but is some simple and the actual plan, for example “I stop certainly smoking”, “I to treat the neighbor well” and so on. They always frankly say for everybody listen, obtains by the time supervises and encourages.

It is said US's Indians also have the unique new year custom. When the New Year's Eve, they on the hold rich characteristic's bonfire party, the whole family encircle nearby the bonfire, sings and dances. Treats to the dawn micro dew, they commit to flames the worn-out clothing, the achievement eliminates the symbol which welcomes a newcomer old. February

February 14th is Saint Valentine's Day. Saint Valentine's Day began in Europe and has been celebrated for hundreds of years. In the U.S today, we remember friends and sweethearts with cards called valentines, flowers, chocolates or small gifts.

We celebrate Presidents' Day on the 3rd Monday of February as a federal holiday commemorating the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. We call George Washington “the father of our country” because he was the American general in the Revolutionary War who led us to victory against England. He was elected our first president. Abraham Lincoln was our 16th president. He kept our country together during the Civil War when the Southern states wanted to form a separate country. Lincoln freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation.

On February 12 Lincoln commemoration day (Lincoln's Birthday)

Abraham · Lincoln is the US Civil War's leader, to abolish the slavery to establish the immortal meritorious service. Its birthday date on February 12 presently is the US besides the south 26 state legal commemoration days.

on February 12, 1809, Lincoln was born in a Kentucky farmers' family. in 1834, Lincoln selects into the Illinois State Assembly, in 1847 was elected as the Congress member of the house of representatives. He attacks publicly gathers the slave system. in 1860, Lincoln was elected as the American 16th president. By now south the south 7 state composition the confederation government, attempted to split the US. The Lincoln cabinet then decided that maintains the federation with the military force to be unified. in 1861 the Civil War erupted. in January, 1863, Lincoln announced "Liberation Manifesto", caused American all slaves to obtain the freedom from the law. in 1865, the American civil war which struggled hard after 4 years ended finally, the north obtained the final victory, has swept clean the path thoroughly for the US capitalism's development. on April 14, 1865, Lincoln saw a play when the Washington Ford theater, by John · Boothe's south hoodlum double hit number gun, the bullet is hit a target the forehead, the wound and the cerebrum, next day before dawn will pass away.

How many years have passed by, Lincoln still held the lofty status in the American popular sentiment. On Lincoln birthday date, the people then hold speak, the publication commemoration article, goes to the Lincoln memorial hall to look at reverently is continuous.

On February 14 Valentine's Day (valentine day) (St. Valentine's Day)

On February 14, is the Western tradition Valentine's Day, said that “the valentine day”, it has the glorious history. The ancient Rome time's herd god festival, is a lovers' holiday. Is the date young men and young women happily gathers in one place, the girls place the expression love's congratulatory remarks in the bamboo tube containing lots for divination, does the young fellow draw lots in turn, which girl's congratulatory remarks pulls out to, that girl becomes him the lover.

Christianity emerges, the church thinks otherwise to the herd god festival custom. But because this holiday receives young people's being partial to, to the 7th century, the church then this holiday with Christianity related in together, named with the Christianity martyrologist Saint Bishop Valentine's name for this holiday, and changed the date by original on February 15 on February 14. The fable, the 3rd century, Roman emperor thought that the married man is not willing to leave home to become a soldier, therefore had issued the law which forbids to marry. Because Saint Bishop Valentine violates emperor the decree, the secret holds the wedding ceremony for the young people, but encounters the imprisonment, on February 14 dies in a.D. 273 years in the prison.

Valentine's Day once was the holiday which the English likes, along with the new continent development, the British immigrants this rich romantic color's holiday belt to North America, took root and blossomed gradually in the US.

The young people are the leads who the Valentine's Day deserves, they must treat a matter seriously in this holiday choose the gift, the present fresh flower for the lover, expresses sentiment of the own admire. The unreasoning passion girl will possibly defer to the ancient fable, will place in the Valentine's Day eve the bay leaf on the pillow, hope to meet in the dream with own one's beloved.

In the US, Valentine's Day already was not only young people's holiday, between the family member friend may give the small present to express the sentiment improve friendship mutually. Many stores sell this kind of present specially, like the decoration shape's chocolate sugar, or is intentionally satin ribbon's red rose and the tulip bouquet of flowers. As for all kinds of sweetheart card, is everywhere.

On February 18 Washington birthday date (Washington's Birthday)

The George · Washington founds a country Yuan Xun as the US and the first president, but forever commemorates for the American people, its birthday date February 22 is the American various states legal holiday.

on February 22, 1732, Washington was born in Virginia. Once colonized the military service long ago in Britain. in because 1756~63 year England and France seven year war battles rises active for colonel. 1775~81 year war of independence period, was elected for big commander in chief, led the colony people to fight a bloody battle, forces Britain in 1783 to acknowledge officially the US was independent. in 1789, Washington was elected as the American first president, continued as two sessions. In the tenure in office made the great contribution consolidated for the newborn country. The American Supreme court, the State Council, Ministry of Finance as well as other important government apparatus is in power in Washington time sets up. in 1797, Washington retired after meritorious service, established president for the US the cabinet system, abolished the hereditary system to play the decisive effect. on December 14, 1799 Washington died of illness.

Before American independence, the people must celebrate the birthday every year for British king. After declare independence, the American people transfer celebrate the Washington general's birthday. This custom began in 1778. At that time Washington was commanding the army perseveres the Valee fort, an artillery orchestra when his birthday has played the serenade for him. Now the Washington birthday date has become federal various states the legal holiday, at the appointed time various states generally hold grand celebrations and so on public ceremony, grand banquet. The American also likes in this day eating the cherry meat pie, plays the paper system hatchet, this custom originates is immature in Washington when with the axe chops the story which the bad cherry tree backward his/her father admits mistakes honestly.

August

During the month of August there are no major holidays to celebrate. Many families go on vacation or have picnics or go to the beach. August 26th is a day that is recognized and celebrated as Equality Day by individuals or groups because of the adoption of the 19th amendment to the Constitution in 1920. This amendment granted women the right to vote.

September

September has one federal holiday, Labor Day. It honors all working people in the U.S and Canada. It began with a New York City parade in 1882 and is now celebrated on the first Monday in September. National Grandparents Day, which honors grandparents and the love they show to their children's children, is celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day.

In September *** date Labor Day (Labor Day) (the September's first Monday)

Labor Day is the American nationwide holiday, is the September's first Monday, has a vacation for one day, shows to the laborer the respect.

in 1882, American carpentry fraternity President Peter · Maikuier first proposed that sets up a Labor Day. In the same year, the American work knight rolls also through the similar decision, and has held the celebration parade in New York. in 1884, the work knight rolled further decided that every year Labor Day must hold celebrations and so on parade.

in February, 1887, Oregon first through legislated to determine that Labor Day was the legal holiday, followed closely Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts to fill various states also to adopt the similar legislation, decided as Labor

Day's date the September's first Monday. in 1894, the United States Congress announced Labor Day officially for the nationwide holiday.

October

The 2nd Monday of October is Columbus Day, celebrating the historic trip of Christopher Columbus to the Americas in 1492. Because Columbus was Italian, this federal holiday is especially important to Italian-Americans but may not be celebrated in all states.

October 31st is Halloween. During the 19th century, immigrants to the United States brought Halloween customs. These customs have changed over the years. Children in costumes go from house to house saying “trick or treat.” The treat usually given is candy and tricks are rarely done. A common symbol of Halloween is the jack-o-lantern, which is carved out of a pumpkin.

On October 12 Columbus date (Columbus Day)

The Columbus date for October 12 or the October's second Monday, by commemorated Columbus to mount the Americas mainland for the first time in 1492.

Christopher · Columbus is the Italian navigator, is born in Genoa. in 1476 migrated Portugal. He believes makes excuses for, thought heads west from the European Atlantic coast, East may reach. in October, 1492, Columbus led ship 3, the sailor 87 people, crossed Atlantic, arrived in the Bahamian archipelago San Salvador, becomes human who Western first discovered the Americas new continent. 1493rd, 1498, in 1502 he three times navigated successively to the Americas mainland coast carries in-the-spot investigation. But he until death takes for the Americas mainland which he arrives is India, thus is called the local resident is “the Indian”.

The Columbus date was the US first initiates the commemoration in 1792. At that time was precisely Columbus arrives at the Americas 300th anniversary commemoration day, New York Tanzania admires the Nepali Association to initiate has conducted the commemorative activity. in 1893, Chicago held the Columbus exposition, has conducted the grand commemorative activity once more. Henceforth, every year this day, American majority states must hold the celebration parade, the church week and the school activity by commemorate this to have the historic importance day.

In October the *** date retires from the armed services the armed forces day (Veteran's Day) (the ten month fourth Monday)

The October's fourth Monday is retires from the armed services the armed forces day. This is the American nationwide holiday, by expresses the respect to all previous war's retired serviceman.

Retires from the armed services the armed forces day is evolves from original November 11 First World War phone system comes. after in 1919 a war ended, the American must hold the celebration as usual every year. But times have changed, to 1953, people's celebration warm already obviously dropped. on June 1, 1954, American President Eisenhower has signed an item of Congress bill, changes the name the truce commemoration day to retire from the armed services the armed forces day, will commemorate the significance also expands to express the respect to all retired serviceman. Henceforth on this day, American president and various states governors must announce that salutes to all US retired servicemen, cherishes the memory of them in the duration of war merit. This day, everywhere the flag flutters, the retired veteran in abundance collection team parade. Before Washington's Arrington national cemetery nameless soldier grave, the people also hold each kind of commemorative activity, in the American eye, the nameless soldier symbolizes is possessing the serviceman who died in battle for the security country.

in 1968, the United States Congress adopted “Sunday holiday law”, will retire from the armed services the armed forces day to change in the every year October's fourth Monday, enabled the people to be possible to pass three day of weekend. This legislation started from 1971 to become effective, at present American majority states used this date commemoration to retire from the armed services the armed forces day.

November

November 11th is Veteran's Day. This federal holiday honors the soldiers who fought in World War I and those who fought for the U.S in all wars. We celebrate by displaying the American flag from our homes, having parades and decorating graves with flowers and flags.

Thanksgiving Day is the 4th Thursday in November and a federal holiday. On this day we remember how the Indians helped the Pilgrims by teaching them how to farm and hunt. On this day, we give thanks for food, our country, and our families. On November 1 Halloween (Halloween)

On November 1 Halloween is West's traditional festival. Time Halloween the eve, namely on October 31 the night, is the children amusement is to one's heart's content good. It in the children eye, is one is full of mystical color the holiday. The night falls, the children then impatiently put on colorfully put on make-up the clothing, puts on all sorts of strange and unusual mask, raises one “the Jake lamp” to run plays. “Jake lamp” the appearance is lovable, makes the law is very pulls out spatially the pumpkin, outside engraves the eye which and the big mouth smiles, then inserts a candle in the melon, lights it, the people can see this darling smiling face in the very far place convenience.

After tidying up readily, crowd of dress up the demons and monsters the child is portable “the Jake lamp”, before running up to the neighbor main house gate, threatens is shouting: “wants the practical joke to give receives cordially”, “gives for the money eats”. If adult does not need the candy, the pocket money to receive cordially them, these mischievous children live up

to one's words: Good, you do not receive cordially, I make fun of you. Sometimes they spread others' door knob the soap, sometimes spreads others' cat the color. These small practical joke Mr. Chang Ling does not know whether to laugh or cry. Certainly, majority others are glad receive cordially these innocent young visitors. Therefore Halloween eve's children always belly fills full, the pocket can pack fully.

In order to protect the child and guides to them, US's school and the family often organize the richly colorful party and the recreational activity in Halloween eve for them. Children begin to arrange the conference site, the decoration environment, then dresses up appearances and so on sorceress either pirate performs each kind of program or makes the game to play. Halloween the eve most popular game is “nips the apple”. When game, the people let the apple float in pack the water in the trough, then lets the children, in does not need under hand's condition to nip the apple with the mouth, who nips first, who is a winner

In November *** date Thanksgiving Day (Thanksgiving Day) (in November month last Thursday)

The November's fourth Thursday is the Thanksgiving Day. The Thanksgiving Day is one ancient holiday which the American people originally create, is also the American entire family joyful reunion's holiday, therefore the American mentions Thanksgiving Day always feels urgently kindly.

Thanksgiving Day's origin must trace the American history the start. in 1620, famous “in May flower” the ship full load was unbearable the Britain domestic religious persecution Puritan 102 people to arrive at the Americas. in 1620 and junction's of 1621 winter, they have encountered the difficulty which imagines with difficulty, in occupies suffers hunger and cold, in the winter the past tense, lives the immigration has 50 people. By now, the good-hearted Indian had sent the daily necessity to the immigration, but also how sends for to teach them especially to hunt, to catch fish with the planter corn, the pumpkin. Under Indian's help, the immigrants have obtained the abundant harvest finally, is joyfully celebrating abundant harvest the day, according to the religious tradition custom, the immigration had stipulated thanks God's day, and decided to thank Indian's sincere help, invites them to celebrate together the holiday.

In the first Thanksgiving Day this day, the Indian and the immigrant happily gathers in one place, they when daybreak fires the salute, lines up in formation enters one to serve as the church the room, to the God express thanks, then selects the bonfire hold grand banquet devotionally. Second day and the third day held has tripped and fallen, the race, to sing, to dance and so on activities. The first Thanksgiving Day is successful. And many celebration ways have spread for more than 300 years, has retained today.

Initially when the Thanksgiving Day does not have the fixed date, decides temporarily by various states, after the American independence, Thanksgiving Day only then becomes the nationwide holiday.

On Thanksgiving Day this day, US whole nation from top to bottom lively very, the people go to the church according to the custom to do feel grateful the pray, the city and countryside small town everywhere have put on makeup the parade, the play to perform or the athletic contest and so on. Will separate one year family member also from all over the country to return, the whole family reunited, the Thanksgiving Day turkey which tasted the delicacy.

Thanksgiving Day's food rich traditional features. The turkey is Thanksgiving Day's traditional piece de resistance, usually is borderland each kind of seasoning and mixes the turkey belly in good food, then entire only roasts, apportions everybody by the male master with the knife slice. In addition, Thanksgiving Day's traditional food also has the sweet sweet potato, the corn, the pumpkin cake, the red raspberry liver moss sub-jam and so on.

After Thanksgiving Day banquet, the people will sometimes make the traditional game, for instance the pumpkin race will be the racer pushes the pumpkin with a small bucket to run, the rule cannot use the hand to bump the pumpkin, will arrive at the end point to win first. The competition uses the ladle is smaller, the game is more interesting.

How many years, the celebration Thanksgiving Day's custom is the continuation, regardless in rock rugged West coast in sight fluttering flags' Hawaii, the people in celebrate joyfully the Thanksgiving Day by the similar way, the Thanksgiving Day are nearly no matter He Zhong believes the traditional festival which, what kind of nationality's Americans celebrate. December

In December we celebrate holidays of light and hope in the dark winter. There is an eight-day Jewish holiday known as Chanukah during which candles are lit on each day. December 12th is the holiday of the Virgin of Guadalupe, who appeared to a poor Indian in Mexico among winter flowers.

December 25th is Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Many people decorate their houses with Christmas trees and lights and give presents to family members. Children hang stockings for Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) to fill with gifts. Christmas is a federal holiday. The African-American holiday of Kwanzaa is the last week of December. Candles are lit to represent the virtues of the African-American people.

As you can see, we have much to celebrate in the U.S. Many holidays are uniquely our own and many have been borrowed from other countries. We are a country of many cultures and many holidays!

On December 25 Christmas day (Christmas)

On December 25 Christmas day is the American most greatly liveliest holiday. May say that from the Thanksgiving Day, the American will start from now on for the Christmas day very busy to be busy especially.

Christmas day's many customs originate from "Holy Bible" the fable. Is born according to Jesus in night this view, Christmas day's celebration starts at night from December 24, the mid-night reaches the high tide, this night is called the Christmas night. The American usually all night long holds the celebration or. Some of them gather in the tavern, the ballroom, the club heartily happy; Some entire family has the sumptuous supper, then sits in a circle nearby the fireplace enjoys family happiness; Also has these reverent followers in the brilliantly illuminated church, participates commemorates the midnight week which Jesus is born.

The Christmas night the most interesting active factor “the newspaper good news”, the symbolic angel in the Bethlehem suburb to the shepherd reported Christ is born good news. Late at night approaches, in before the church choir arrives at the believer main house gate, to sing the Christmas ode with one voice from house to house. Therefore this family person then walks joins the chorus. Sings, the master invites into everybody in the room, by snack entertainment. After chatting, the choir arrives others home to sing again, master also often accompanies goes, “newspaper good news” the troop is getting bigger and bigger, a their each family sing, the happy atmosphere increases steadily, continues the dawn frequently.

Christmas day in the most typical decoration is a Christmas tree, the people hang all over the gift and the colored lantern on the small Pine or the knobcone, the top of the tree install a big star again. These decorations have the symbolic significance, on tree's colored lantern symbolizes Jesus to bring the light to the world, top of the tree's big star is born after Jesus directs three Eastern virtuous gentlemen Bethlehem's that star. Except the Christmas tree, the Chinese ilex and the pavilion parasitism are also in the Christmas day the common embellishment. The American uses the Chinese ilex branch forming garland to hang frequently on the front door, perhaps places several Chinese ilexes on the dinner table takes the holiday the decoration. Also will have some families is hanging a bunch of pavilion parasitism on the doorframe or the ceiling, when according to traditional custom, Christmas day, every female will stand under the pavilion parasitism, anybody may kiss her. The mischievous boy directs intentionally frequently the girl under the pavilion parasitism, kisses her righteously.

Christmas day so receives the human in the US to take seriously, the people are very perhaps difficult to imagine, their ancestor forbade to cross the Christmas day. In the past the British Puritan experienced suffering the British national religion persecution, from afar arrived at the new continent, they abhorred the British national religion's perverse actions, down to developed, they who every national religion implemented perform to oppose, also therefore strictly forbade to Christmas day's celebration. They stipulated that in every immigration some people dare to celebrate Christmas day, must fine. After this prohibition rule yizhi dao the 19th century Germany and the Irish immigrants moved in the US, massively only then gradually relieved. Today Christmas day has become one which of holidays the American people most like, this past events also became a historical interesting rumor.