Праздники в США
Хорошее видео от EnglishClass101.com
В этом видео рассказывается о the 4th of July, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday, and Groundhog's Day
Январь
January 1st - New Year's Day Новый год.
On this day families and friends meet for a meal. People usually make promises for the New Year. They say: "I will work harder" or "I won't tell lies this year." But they often forget these promises by January 2nd!
On New Year's Day there are big football games and parades. Not everyone can go to see them, so many people watch them on TV. There is usually a parade in the morning and the football game is in the afternoon.
January 15th ( in some states third Monday of January) — Martin Luther King's Day.
Martin Luther King was an important black leader who wanted equal rights for black people. His
work was very important. He was killed in 1968 and his birthday has become a public holiday
since 1968.
Февраль
February 2nd - Groundhog Day / День сурка
February 14th — St. Valentine's Day. День Святого Валентина.
Nobody knows much about St. Valentine. He was a Christian. He gave a poor girl some money before he died. So people called him the saint of love and began to celebrate St. Valintine's Day on the 14th of February.
On this day children write their names on cards with hearts on them and give them to their classmates. Schoolchildren and older people give cards, presents and flowers to their boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives. Some people do not put their names at the end of their cards because they want their name to be a secret.
Third Monday of February — President's Day. День Президента.
On this day students and pupils read about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other American presidents. George Washington was the first President of the USA. He was also a good soldier and a very honest man.
Март
March 17th — St. Patrick's Day. День Святого Патрика.
St. Patrick was an Irish saint, and St. Patrick's Day is very popular in cities where there are many people from Ireland. They are Irish Americans and they always celebrate this day. Green is the Irish colour and people often wear green on this day. If you don't wear green, someone may pinch you.
Узнать больше о Святом Патрике можно тут
Easter (late March - early April) Пасха
The Easter weekend is in late March or early April, but the date changes each year. Easter is a Christian holiday which celebrates the day when Jesus came back from the dead. On Easter Sunday people give coloured or chocolate eggs to each other and send cards.
Some cities have Easter parades with games and sports and a big Easter egg hunt.
Апрель
April 1st — April Fools' Day. День апрельского дурака.
As you know people make jokes on this day and have a lot of fun. People celebrate this day in America in the same way they celebrate it in England. When you've made a joke on your friend you usually say: "April fool." Nobody is sure when or why this tradition began. Some people believe it began in France in the 16th century. In 1564, the king of France decided to change the first day of the new year from April 1st to January 1st. Some people did not like it and celebrated the New Year on the first of April. They were "April's Fools", and other people made fun of them and played tricks on them. So it has been a tradition to celebrate this holiday for long.
April 15th - Tax Day. День налогов
April 22nd - Earth Day . День Земли
Май
Memorial Day - День Памяти (last Monday of May)
This is a special day for people to remember those who died in wars. Many people remember their dead friends and relatives on this day too. Many people pay special visits to the graves of their relatives and friends and leave flowers there.
Май - Июнь
Mother's Day and Father's Day.
One Sunday in May is Mother's Day and one Sunday in June is Father's Day. Children usually spend the day with their parents. They give them cards, flowers and presents.
Июнь
June 14th — Flag Day. День флага.
The American flag is often called the "Stars and Stripes". It has thirteen stripes (one for each first colony) and fifty stars, one for each state. In 1777 the "Stars and Stripes" became the official flag of the USA.
And when it was the flag's hundredth birthday Americans first celebrated Flag Day in 1877. You can see the 'American flag in many places-on this day, but as it is not a main holiday offices stay open.
Июль
July 4th — Independence Day. День Независимости.
On July 4th 1776 the United States became independent from England. It was the beginning of a new life. Families and friends celebrate this day. Every town and every city has parades, games and sports with prizes. There are often picnics too.
Август
Сентябрь
First Monday of September — Labour Day.
This is a day of rest for the workers. There are also parades on this day. This day is the end of the summer and the beginning of the school year.
Октябрь
Second Monday of October — Columbus Day.
From your school textbook you know how Americans celebrate this day. Don't forget that you can see the American flag everywhere on Columbus Day to honour the man who was the discoverer of their country.
October 31st — Halloween.
This is one of the most favourite holidays in America. You know how people celebrate it in England. In America they celebrate it in the same way. Children dress up, shout "Trick or treat", get sweets, fruit, cakes and people have pumpkins with candles in their windows.
Ноябрь
Tuesday after the first Monday of November - Election Day. День выборов
November 11th — Veterans' Day.
This is a special day to remember all the people who fought in the wars — the living people and the dead. People have -special dinners on this day.
Fourth Thursday of November — Thanksgiving. День благодарения (4-й четверг ноября)
Thanksgiving is a special day for families to get together and give thanks for different things. They usually do it in this way: "I give thanks for being here with my family and for being well," or " I give thanks for a healthy year, a good job and for meeting my new friends."
Декабрь
December 25th — Christmas Day. Рождество.
This is the biggest holiday of the year. Many people enjoy it most of all and say that this is the main holiday of the year. Soon after Thanksgiving people start sending Christmas cards and decorate their houses. Almost every home has a Christmas tree. The evening before Christmas Day is called Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve many people go to church and sing Christmas carols. The President gives his speech on TV. Parents tell their children that Santa Claus will come to their house at night and leave presents for them.
On Christmas Day people open their presents and then they prepare a traditional dinner of turkey with vegetables, salads, cookies, nuts, sweets and fruit. People eat Christmas dinner late in the afternoon. During the day many families watch special Christmas TV and children play with their new toys.
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