Veterans Day is a holiday observed on November 11 in the United States. It is dedicated to all those who have fought for the United States and to the memory of those Americans who died in battle.

Veterans Day ceremonies involve gatherings of old soldiers with grateful citizens. In many cities and towns, there are parades and speeches to remind people of the sacrifices soldiers have made.

Often, flowers are laid at the gravesides of dead soldiers. Special Veterans Day services are held at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

In 1954 the name of the holiday was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor those who had served in World War II ( ) and the Korean War ( ). Today, the holiday honors all veterans. In 1968 Congress changed the date of the holiday to the fourth Monday in October to give Americans a three-day weekend. But because of the significance of November 11 to many people, the traditional date was restored.

Columbus Day is celebrated on October 12 th. It commemorates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492.

Today it is a legal holiday in America. Schools, banks, post offices and government offices are closed. Many schools hold programmers and special events. Cities and organizations hold ceremonies, parades, fairs, food festivals and banquets.

Traditionally this is a day to celebrate the contributions to the culture of the United States made by Italian immigrants. Pizza and pasta, opera and Italian fashion are part of the daily life of America.

Labor Day, legal holiday honoring workers, celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September. The observance includes parades and speeches reviewing labor’s contributions to society.

For some time Labor Day remained a time not only to commemorate labor’s contributions but also to draw public attention to the plight of workers and the struggle of labor unions to improve working conditions. One of the largest Labor Day parades in the United States takes place in New York City.

To many Americans, however, Labor Day signals the end of summer vacations and the start of a new school year. Many families observe Labor Day by gathering for the last picnic of summer or the season’s final trip to the beach.