1. Holidays, Festivals, Celebrations – the UK and the USA

2. January: New Year´s Day- 1st January
observed with fireworks in the midnight- new year starts
making New Year´s resolutions
calling one´s friends and family
First Footing
Martin Luther King´s Day-third Monday of January
Martin Luther King- american civil rights leader
educational establishments – work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism

3. February: Lincoln´s Birthday- on or around 12th February
re- enactments, concerts and birthday parties
Organizations
Valentine´s Day- 14th February
festival of romantic love
sending cards or letters, flowers or presents to their partner
arranging romantic meal in a restaurant or a night in a hotel
symbols: hearts, red roses, Cupid

4. February- March: Washington´s Birthday- 22nd February
= President´s day
schools- organized events and lessons for students about the presidents
St. David´s Day- 1st March
St. David- the patron saint of Wales
pinning daffodils or leeks to their clothes
children- wear traditional costumes
traditional meal: cawl
Welsh flag- often seen

5. March- April: St. Patrick´s Day- 17th March
St. Patrick- the patron saint of Ireland
celebrated in Irish pubs and cities (for example: Nottingham)
a parade, children´s workshops, arts festivals- London
St. George´s Day- 23rd April
St. George- the patron saint of England
celebrated with parades, dancing and other activities
flags with image of St. George´s cross
wearing a red rose on their lapel

6. April- May: Shakespeare´s Birthday- 23rd April
special pageants- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Holy Trinity Church
some schools- regular lessons about Shakespeare
not a bank holiday
May Day- 1st May
originated as a Roman festival honoring the beginning of summer season
maypole dancing

7. May: Mother´s Day- 2nd May
celebrates motherhood, time to appreciate mothers and mother figures
gifts, cards, flowers, candy, a meal in restaurant
Memorial Day- 30th May
formerly known as Decoration day
commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States
people visit cemeteries and memorials
people choose to hold picnics, sports events and

8. June: Queen´s Official Birthday- Saturday after 9th June
visiting friends and family
Australia- football matches
Midsummer Day- 24th June
the feast of St. John the Baptist
Stonehenge

9. July- September Independence Day- 4th July
1776- declaration of independence from Great Britain
patriotic displays, family events, fireworks
Labor Day- first Monday of September
fireworks displays, barbecues, sports events, public arts
start of the American football season

10. October – November: Columbus Day- 12th October 1492- Columbus arrival
church services
Guy Fawkes Day- 5th November
anniversary of discovery of a plot organized by a Catholic conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament- 1605
lighting bonfires, set off fireworks
popular foods

11. November: Remembrance Day- 11th November
commemorating a sacrifices in past wars
2 minutes of silence
symbol: poppy
Whitehall
Veterans´ Day- 11th November
signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I
masts- American flags
church services

12. November: Thanksgiving Day- fourth Thursday of November
The Indians helped the immigrants from Europe
families- special meal
St. Andrew´s Day- 30th November
St. Andrew- the patron Saint of Scotland
Scotland- Ceilidh Dancing = social event with couples dancing in circles
peeling apple

13. UK- Easter and Christmas
Easter- the first Sunday after the full moon
confectionery industry
rolling eggs
searching eggs, that the Easter Bunny hid somewhere
decorating Easter bonnets
Moris dancing
cross buns- bread buns with currants and spices
Christmas- Christmas Eve- 24th December
- Christmas Day- 25th December
- Boxing Day- 26th December
holly, ivy, mistletoe

14. Christmas Carols
Father Christmas or Santa Claus- children give mince pie
Wassailing- huge bowls
Christmas Day- roast turkey, roast vegetables, cranberry sauce, bread sauce
Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cracker, Christmas Cake

15. USA- Easter and Christmas:
Easter- church services
decoration eggs
Easter egg hunts- organized by local businesses or churches
Christmas- Christmas Pickle
Santa Claus- children sit on his knee
Christmas lights