Major US Holidays
Appendices | Handbook |New Year's
Day: January 1
Official holiday for schools, offices,
and stores. New Year's Eve, December 31, is more important to Americans
than New Year's Day itself. Everyone gathers with family and friends to
"ring out the old and ring in the new," an expression that reflects the
old custom of ringing church bells to greet the new year.
Martin Luther
King, Jr.'s Birthday: January 15 (celebrated on the third Monday in
January)
Official holiday that began in 1986, Martin Luther King, Jr. organized
and led the civil-rights movement in America during the 1960s.
Groundhog Day:
February 2
Not an official holiday. The groundhog is a small burrowing animal
that hibernates during the winter months. Legend has it that he emerges
on February 2. If he sees his shadow ( a sunny day) he will be frightened
and return to his burrow. this is supposed to indicate six more weeks
of wintry weather. If he doesn't see his shadow, then spring is at hand.
Lincoln's Birthday:
February 12
Official holiday in many states; often celebrated in conjunction with
George Washington's birthday or "President's Day." Abraham Lincoln was
president during the civil war (1861-1865), a period that had a profound
effect on the history of the nation. Believing "a house divided against
itself cannot stand," Lincoln acted to free the slaves and bring the seceded
states back into the union.
Valentine's Day:
February 14
Not an official holiday. A lover's holiday celebrated by sending cards
and giving candy or flowers.
Washington's Birthday:
February 22 (but celebrated on the third Monday in February)
Official holiday. Commemorates the birthday of George Washington, commander-in-chief
of the Revolutionary Army which freed America from the colonial rule of
England. Washington was also the first president of the United States.
Saint Patrick's
Day: March 17
Not an official holiday. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland,
and this holiday was brought to America by Irish immigrants. People celebrate
this holiday by wearing something green and getting together with friends
to party and sing Irish folk songs.
April Fool's Day:
April 1
Not an official holiday. As in many other countries, this day is marked
by the custom of playing practical jokes on friends and colleagues.
Easter: A Sunday
in March or April
Not an official holiday. A religious holiday for Christians who believe
that on this day Christ rose from the dead. Many folk traditions are now
connected with Easter, including the decoration of brightly colored eggs
and giving gifts to children.
Mother's Day:
Second Sunday in May
Not an official holiday. On this day Americans honor their mothers
by sending flowers, buying small gifts, and taking their mothers out to
eat so they don't have to cook or do work around the house.
Father's Day:
Third Sunday in June
Not an official holiday. Fathers are honored on this day. Children
give them cards and gifts.
Memorial Day:
Last Monday in May
Official holiday. Memorial Day is the day Americans remember those
who died in military service to their country. Many families visit graves
and decorate them with flowers. The day is also marked with patriotic
parades. This day is considered the beginning of the summer season.
Independence Day:
July 4
Official holiday. Independence Day commemorates the day the Declaration
of Independence was signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The holiday
is celebrated all over the country with picnics, political speeches, and
community get-togethers culminating with a fireworks displays.
Labor Day: First
Monday in September
Official holiday. This holiday was established in recognition of the
labor movement's contribution to the productivity of the country. This
day is the last holiday of the summer season and is celebrated with picnics
and other outings.
Rosh Hashanah
and Yom Kippur: Late September/Early October
Rosh Hashanah, commemorating the creation of the world, is the first
of the Ten Days of Penitence, which end with Yom Kippur, the most solemn
of Jewish holidays. For Rosh Hashanah, families gather for a feast in
which an apple is dipped in honey to express hope for a sweet year ahead.
In Judaism, Yom Kippur is a day of judgement; on the eve of Yom Kippur,
Jews ask forgiveness from those they may have wronged. The keynotes of
the holiday are fasting and a collective confession, repeated several
times throughout the day.
Halloween: October
31
Not an official holiday. This was originally a religious holiday,
but its religious character has been lost in the United States and is
now celebrated mostly as a children's holiday. Traditions include carving
out pumpkins with funny faces as well as dressing up in costumes and going
around the neighborhood to receive treats of candy, fruit, and cookies.
When people come to the door, children say "trick or treat," meaning
"if you don't give me a treat, I will trick you."
Thanksgiving Day:
Fourth Thursday in November
Official holiday. The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the
Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1621 to give thanks for
the bountiful harvest and their triumph of survival over the wilderness.
Now it is a time when Americans give thanks for the good life they enjoy.
They celebrate by getting together with family to eat traditional foods
such as turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
Hanukkah: Eight
Days, usually in December
One of the less solemn of the Jewish holidays, but one widely observed
even by non-religious Jews. The only Jewish holiday connected with war,
Hanukkah celebrates the victory of Jewish Maccabees over their Syrian
rulers in 167 BC Hanukkah is marked with parties, games, gifts for
children, and the lighting of the nine candles of the menorah.
Christmas: December
25
Official holiday. Many people regard Christmas as the most important
holiday of the year, with the holiday season extending from a few days
before Christmas to New Year's Day. Although its origins are religious
in nature, it is a holiday celebrated by almost everyone in the country.
Family members travel great distances to be together on this day. Gifts
are exchanged, and a traditional dinner is shared. Even families who do
not have strong religious convictions decorate a Christmas tree and join
in the festivities of the Christmas season.
Source: Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE)