Holidays in GB and USA

Holidays in GB  MARCH 1st – ST. DAVID‘S DAY – Patron saint of Wales, Welsh wear daffodils in the button holes.  MAY 1st – MAY DAY – Flowers and maypoles (Middle Ages - washing with dew (beauty), May Queen)  JUNE 24th – MIDSUMMER‘S DAY – Longest day of the year – Druids go to Stonehenge and they‘re having sunrise ceremony.  NOVEMBER 5th – GUY FAWKES‘ DAY – Bonfire night -> burning a model of Guy Fawkes (hated James I. -> 1605 tried to blow up the House of Parliament)  NOVEMBER 30th – ST. ANDREW‘S DAY – Patron saint of Scotland

Holidays in USA  JANUARY, 3rd MONDAY – M. L. KING BIRTHDAY – Equality and civil rights for black people -> Public holiday  MAY, last MONDAY – MEMORIAL DAY – Deads of all wars are remembered.  JULY 4th – INDEPENDENCE DAY – 1776 independence from England -> parades, picnics, fireworks  SEPTEMBER, 1st MONDAY – LABOR DAY – Day of the rest for working people -> Labour union parades.  OCTOBER, 2nd MONDAY – COLUMBUS DAY – 1492 Columbus discovered America (American flags)  NOVEMBER, 4th THURSDAY – THANKSGIVING – 1621 Pilgrim fathers thanked God for the harvest -> Parties, dinners (turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie)

Common holidays  FEBRUARY 14th – VALENTINE‘S DAY – St. Valentine (Christian) - Patron of people in love.  MARCH 17th – ST. PATRICK‘S DAY – Very popular for Irish people all over the world, everything is green.  MARCH/APRIL – EASTER – Jesus came back from the dead – symbol of spring and life. -> Eggs, cards. (USA – egg hunt – White House)  OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN – Ghosts and witches are free -> masks, pumpking lamps -> „Trick or treat!“  NOVEMBER 11th – VETERANS‘ DAY/ REMEMBRANCE DAY – Remembering people who fought in wars (London – World Wars Memorial – Queen – poppies)

CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 25th - GB  Christmas tree tradition since 1841 (Tree from Norway - Trafalgar Square)  Mistletoe – Kissing -> Luck  Opening presents in the morning of the 25th  Christmas dinner – Roast turkey with carrots and peas, christmas pudding  At 3 o‘clock – Queen makes a ten- minute-long speech on the radio DECEMBER 25th - USA  Christmas tree tradition since 1776  Opening presents in the morning of the 25th  Christmas dinner – Turkey or ham with vegetables, salads and desserts.  President‘s speech 24th on TV

Thank you for your attention!