1. Presidents Day Saint Patrick's Day Memorial Day Independence Day October 31 is Halloween Thanksgiving Day Mother's Day

2. Presidents Day started as a holiday to celebrate George Washington's birthday on February 22, but was changed to the third Monday in February in 1971. Presidents Day is a federal holiday, so federal offices, schools, post offices, and many banks are closed. In the middle of February, grade schools have assemblies, concerts, and plays about Presidents Washington and Lincoln. Some stores have special Presidents Day sales and many towns have patriotic parades or assemblies.

3. When is Presidents Day? It is on the third Monday of February. Presidents Day is an American holiday to honor George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and all the other presidents. Over time, the holiday has expanded to honor Abraham Lincoln, and it is gradually starting to include all of the U.S. Presidents. Who was Abraham Lincoln? He was the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln was president during the Civil War.

4. Saint Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday, but it is celebrated by people from many different countries. Here in the United States we celebrate it by wearing green, watching parades, and eating corned beef. Everyone can be Irish on Saint Patrick's Day! Who is Saint Patrick? Saint Patrick was a missionary who lived in Ireland. He died around March 17, 493. When he was 16 years old, Saint Patrick was captured and made a slave. He was a slave for six years. The first celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in the United States was in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737.

5. Memorial Day is a special American holiday to honor soldiers who died serving their country. It is celebrated in the United States on the last Monday in May. Politicians give speeches and bands play patriotic music. Memorial Day is also the start of the American recreational season. Many families have picnics or backyard barbeques.

6. When did people in the United States first start celebrating Memorial Day? They first started celebrating it after the American Civil War, which was from 1861-1865. How do relatives and friends remember deceased soldiers on Memorial Day? They decorate their graves with flowers and flags.

7. The Fourth of July is also called Independence Day. It is a federal holiday. Schools, banks, post offices, and government offices are closed on the Fourth of July. The Fourth of July is our most important national holiday because it celebrates the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence announced America's independence from Britain. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thomas Jefferson was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence.

8. What are these men doing? They are having a watermelon eating contest. Watermelon is popular on the Fourth of July. What are the children in this picture doing? They are watching fireworks. Be careful with fireworks. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

9. October 31 is Halloween. On Halloween, children wear costumes and go trick-or-treating. They knock on doors and say "Trick or treat." On Halloween, people cut faces on pumpkins and put candles inside of them. They light the candles at night. What are these children doing? They are trick-or-treating. They are waiting for someone to open the door and give them candy. What is the skeleton doing? He is holding a lantern and waiting for the ship. Ghosts live on the ship.

10. It was first celebrated in the autumn of 1621 when the Wampanoag Indians and the pilgrims got together for a three-day feast and festival of fun. Today, families celebrate Thanksgiving by eating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, corn, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November. It is a federal holiday, so schools, banks, post offices, and government offices are closed. Thanksgiving was the first holiday celebrated in America.

11. Most Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. What other foods are popular on Thanksgiving? stuffing mashed potatoes turkey gravy yams corn cranberry sauce

12. Mother's Day is a special holiday to honor mothers and grandmothers. It is on the second Sunday in May. Some children cook breakfast for their mothers on Mother's Day. Many mothers wear corsages and receive flowers, cards, and gifts on this day. Remember to tell your mom that you love her.

13. What are popular gifts for Mother's Day? Cards, pins, and flowers are popular Mother's Day gifts How can you let your mother know you love her? Give her a big hug. Give her a big smile. Is Mother's Day for grandmothers, too? Yes, it is. Be sure to hug your grandmother, too.