Holidays and Celebrations

in the United States

Lesson Two By Brooke Zhang

There are many holidays that

people in the United States

celebrate!• People often throw parties or get together for many different holidays.

• For some of these holidays, government services close, stores close, and school might close as well.

• Celebrating holidays is very important in the United States, and each holiday has a history and its own characteristics.

Do the United States and China celebrate any of the same holidays?

What do you all think?. . .Type your answer!

Federal holidays (on these holidays all government offices, banks, and schools are closed)

New Year's Day

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Washington's (President’s Day) Birthday

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

Other Observations and CelebrationsValentine's Day

April Fool’s Day

Easter Sunday

Mother's Day

Father's Day

Halloween

Teacher’s Work Day

Celebrates beginning of the year. This is a time for people to make new “resolutions” Resolutions are goals

for them to reach in this new year.

Common resolutions are exercising more, getting a better job, living more happily

New Year’s Day

Unlike Chinese New Year, New Year’s Day is on January first (January 1st)

The Ball Drop at Times Square in New York City has become a national celebrationMany Americans

watch it on TV (Television) is they cannot see it in New York City

Festivities include counting down to 12:00

midnight on the night before, New Year’s Eve,

often with big fireworks.

Independence Day• Celebrates the signing of the Declaration

of Independence• Also called the Fourth of July.

• Fourth of July Barbecues and Parties

• Fireworks celebration are held in many cities throughout the nation.

• On July 4th

Thanksgiving Day• Fourth Thursday in November

• Traditionally celebrates the giving of thanks for the autumn harvest.

Includes the sharing of a dinner with turkey.

• Harvest holiday for the fall season

A long time ago, people from Europe (we call them “pilgrims”) arrived in the Americas. When they arrived, they met the native

americans.

The native americans helped the pilgrims start a colony and they all celebrated with a

feast to thank each other, and show how grateful they were for their help.

• Celebration of the rebirth of Jesus (resurrection of Jesus) in most Western Christian churches.

Easter (Sunday)

• Sunday following the Paschal full moon, the date changes

• Many Americans decorate hard-boiled eggs and give baskets of candy, fruit, toys and so on, especially to children.

Christmas• December 25

• The most widely celebrated holiday • Christmas is observed as the birth of Jesus in

Christianity.

• During this holiday, there is a “Christmas feeling” in the air, and it is a holiday of kindness, and warm feelings, joy, and celebration!!

This is a very, very popular holiday! Everyone who celebrates this holiday puts up festive decorations of common symbols of Christmas, listens and sings to

Christmas music, and enjoys being together in the winter season.

How to Make a Christmas Tree!

Sing (and follow) these Classic Christmas Songs!

#1: Santa Claus is coming to townYou better watch out, you better not cryYou better not pout, I'm telling you whySanta Claus is comin' to townSanta Claus is comin' to townSanta Claus is comin' to townSanta Claus is comin' to townHe's making a list and checking it twiceGonna find out who's naughty and nice.

Santa Claus is comin' to townSanta Claus is comin' to townSanta Claus is comin' to townSanta Claus is comin' to townHe sees you when you're sleepingHe knows when you're awakeHe knows if you've been bad or goodSo be good for goodness sake

Sing (and follow) these Classic Christmas Songs! (Top 3)

#2: Rockin’ Around the Christmas TreeRocking around the

Christmas Treeat the Christmas party hopMistletoe hung where you can seeEv'ry couple tries to stopYou will get a sentimental feelingWhen you hear voices singing"Let's be jolly; Deck the

halls with boughs of holly"Rocking around the Christmas TreeHave a happy holidayEveryone's dancing merrilyIn a new old fashioned way

Sing (and follow) these Classic Christmas Songs!

#3: We Wish You a Merry ChristmasWe wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding

and a cup of good cheerWe won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

What is your favorite holiday

to celebrate? Tell me a good

reason why

Do you have any

questions? Comments?

Ideas?