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As an international student in America, you may spend some holidays in the United States. Holidays in the United States can be quite confusing. There are various types of holidays. On the 10 official "National" (indicated with an N) holidays, all government offices and most businesses close. State holidays affect state government offices and some schools. Some holidays are both religious and national. Some orthodox religions may have the religious observances on different days. Other holidays relate to famous events and people in United States history. For example, people all over the country get the day off to honor men like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. These holidays, along with Memorial Day and Labor Day, are observed on Monday to give the American people the much coveted "three day weekend." America has a steady stream of holidays and observances throughout the year, many patriotic and some simply commercial in theme.
| January
1 (N) New Year's Day |
Celebrates the start of the New Year. This celebration actually begins the night before on New Year's Eve. By its very nature of renewal and celebration New Year's Eve/Day are the most jubilant time of the entire year. People bid farewell to the ups and downs of the past and welcome the possibilities and potential for a new beginning at the stroke of 12 o'clock midnight. It is also common for people to sing "Auld Lang Syne" embrace and kiss one another as a way of wishing them well in the New Year. More champagne is consumed on New Year's Eve than any other day. "Ring out the old and ring in the new" is an expression that reflects the old custom of ringing church bells to greet the New Year. Some people continue the tradition of starting the year spiritually by starting the year in church at what is a called a "Watch Night Service." |
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January
6 |
This traditional Christian feast day is a celebration of the visit of the Wise Men to the baby Jesus, the baptism of Christ, and the miracle at Cana. |
| January
15 (N) Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday |
Dr. King (1929-1968) was an African American minister and Civil Rights Leader who received the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. The official holiday began in 1986. Although King's birthday is the 15th the holiday is celebrated the third Monday in January. |
| Month
of February African American or Black History Month |
In 1926 Dr. Carter Woodson chose the week of Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12) to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to history. This observance has expanded to the entire month of February. |
| February
2 Groundhog Day |
This is 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) this is supposed to indicate six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow spring is at hand. In Pittsburgh the groundhog who tells the future of winter is Punxsatany Phil. His counterpart in Atlanta is Stonewall Jackson. |
| February
1 Abraham Lincoln's Birthday |
Abraham Lincoln the 16th President of the United States was in office during the war between the states, (1861-1865). Believing that "A house divided against itself cannot stand" Lincoln tried to bring the seceded states back into the union. |
| February
14 Valentine's Day |
Celebrated by friends and lovers by sending cards, giving candy, flowers, gifts, stuffed animals, rings, hearts and other signs of affection. It is named for St. Valentine, an early Christian martyr. It is one of the most commercial holidays in America. People spend small fortunes in one day on displays of affection yet no banks close for this holiday. |
| Third
Monday in February President's Day (N) |
Combines the celebration of the birthdays of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. |
| February
22 George Washington's Birthday |
The first President of the United States was the Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army that freed America from the colonial rule of England. |
| Week
before Lent Mardi Gras |
Week of celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Fat Tuesday | Day of celebration before Ash Wednesday |
| March
or April Ash Wednesday |
The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period of penitence and fasting for many Christians that immediately precedes the Easter celebration. Some Christians attend a worship service where the sign of the cross is made on their foreheads with ashes. |
| March
17 St. Patrick's Day |
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. This holiday was brought to America by Irish immigrants. There are holidays typical for the party atmosphere they provide. St. Patrick's Day, although a Christian Feast Day honoring an Irish saint is one of the biggest excuses for a party. Everyone becomes Irish for a day by wearing green, drinking green beer and eating corned beef, cabbage, Irish stew and potatoes, traditional Irish fare. The New York City, New York St. Patrick's Day parade down Fifth Avenue and the celebration in Savannah, Georgia are the largest in the world. |
| March
or April Palm Sunday |
The beginning of the Holy Week. For Christians this week marks the last week of Jesus Christ's life. |
| March
or April Good Friday Passover |
Good
Friday observes the day Christ died on the cross for Christians. The Jewish Passover begins at sundown. |
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March
or April |
It falls on a different Sunday each spring. The date also depends on whether you are orthodox or not. For the Eastern Orthodox Christians this is Palm Sunday. For Christians this is a holy celebration of the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion. Traditions now connect Easter with giving gifts to children, the Easter bunny, spring flowers, fancy clothes, bonnets, the Easter parade down Fifth Avenue in New York, decorating and hunting for eggs. The eggs symbolize new life. |
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March
19 March
20 |
Not really holidays, but interesting to know! |
| April
1 April Fools Day |
People play harmless practical jokes on each other. |
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April
15 |
Income Taxes are DUE. |
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April
22 |
A day to honor Mother Earth. |
| Second
Sunday in May Mother's Day |
On this day people show their love and gratitude to their mothers and shower them with gifts for all they have done. It was suggested by Julia Ward Howe (founder of the Girl Scouts) in 1872. It became a reality in 1907 due to the efforts of Anna Jarvis. She is considered the founder of Mother's Day. It is the busiest restaurant and telephone day of the year. People give mothers a break from cooking by taking them out. If they can't be there in person they call. Red and pink carnations indicate your mother is still alive. A white carnation means your mother is dead. On May 9, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day a nationally observed holiday. |
| Last
Monday in May Memorial Day (N) |
This Monday after the last weekend in May Americans remember those who died in military service to their country. Many families visit graves and decorate them with flags and/or flowers. This day is marked with patriotic parades. It is also considered the beginning of the summer season. |
| Third
Sunday in June Father's Day |
A day to honor fathers was thought of by Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington, in 1909. She was listening to a Mothers' Day sermon. Having been raised by her father Henry Jackson after her mother died she wanted him to know how special he was to her. Sonora's father was born in June so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June Father's Day. Roses are the Father's Day flower. Just like Mother's Day, a flower of a certain color is worn, in this case a rose to indicate whether your father is living or dead. |
| June
14 Flag Day |
A day to honor the American flag, sometimes called "Old Glory." |
| June
19 Juneteenth |
This is the oldest known African-American celebration of the ending of slavery. June 19,1865, is when Galveston, Texas received word of the emancipation of the slaves. This is where the holiday originated. |
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June
20 June
21 |
Not really holidays, but interesting to know. |
| July
4 Independence Day 4th of July (N) |
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With this document, the 13 colonies declared their independence from England and became the United States. This holiday is celebrated with parades, picnics and fireworks. |
| September
or October Rosh Hashanah |
Begins the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah begins the Days of Awe, a period of reflection about the past year and the year to come. |
| September
or October Yom Kippur (10th day after Rosh Hashanah) |
The holiest Jewish holiday. Also called "Day of Atonement." |
| First
Monday in September Labor Day (N) |
Established in recognition of the labor movement's contribution to the productivity of the country. This last holiday of the summer season is celebrated with picnics and outings. |
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September
21 September
22 |
Not really holidays, but interesting to know. |
| October
12 Columbus Day (N) |
Birthday of Christopher Columbus, the man history credits with discovering America even though Native Americans were already here. He is a controversial figure. |
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October
24 |
Marks the founding of the UN in 1945. |
| October
31 Halloween |
Originally a religious holiday. Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day - the feast day for all saints in Christianity. Its religious character has been lost in the US. It is now a time for carved pumpkins, costumes, masquerade parties and going door to door asking for candy by saying "Trick or Treat." |
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November
1 |
Honors all the saints in the world. |
| November
11 Veterans Day (N) |
Honors veterans of the United States armed forces. On this day in 1945 the treaty was signed ending World War II in the Pacific. |
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Fourth
Thursday in November |
Celebrated first in 1621 in Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts by the Pilgrims to give thanks for their survival because of the assistance of the Native Americans. The tradition of giving thanks is continued. It is a time for family and friends to get together and have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. This meal consists of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, string beans, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. |
| Late
November or December Hanukkah (also Chanukah) |
Eight day Jewish festival that commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians in 165 BC and the rededication of the Temple at Jerusalem. It is celebrated with parties, games, gifts and the lighting of the nine candles of the menorah. |
| December
8 Immaculate Conception |
Doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin and preserved without sin her entire life. |
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December
20 December
21 |
Not really holidays, but interesting to know. |
| December
25 Christmas (N) |
Major holiday in the US that began as a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is now also celebrated as a day of feasting and gift giving. Santa Claus, a mythical figure based on St. Nicholas, is said to visit children's homes on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts while they sleep. Christmas is celebrated according to a variety of traditions some old, others comparatively recent, some devout and some secular. National observance of the Christmas holiday usually begins immediately following Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day are the period known as "the holiday season". Each community has its own way of getting into the holiday spirit. The lighting of the Christmas tree on the White House lawn in Washington DC by the President of the United States ushers the country into the season. In Atlanta, lighting the Rich's Department Store Christmas tree downtown was a tradition. The tree is now at Lenox Square. Christmas brings out the hope for "Peace on earth, Goodwill towards men". |
| December
26-January 1 Kwanzaa |
Kwanzaa
is a seven-day African American cultural holiday. It is a celebration to
reaffirm traditional Afrikan social values. The word is derived from the
Kiswahili phrase, "Matunda Ya Kwanza" meaning first fruits. In
Africa, harvesting the first fruits or crops of the season was reason to
celebrate. An extra "a" was added to Kwanzaa to distinguish the
African American celebration. Each day one of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
is discussed. They are: 1.Umoja-Unity 2. Kujichagulia-Self-determination 3. Ujima-Collective Work and Responsibility 4. Ujamaa-Cooperative Economic 5. Nia-Purpose 6. Kuumba-Creativity 7. Imani-Faith |
Don't
feel you have to forget about your celebrations. Just try to embrace some of
these new and possibly different holidays. Add them to your traditional observances.
Many of the holidays in the United States allow the participants to revel in the freedom they enjoy. They also serve a reminder of the message of the special days and their significance in daily life.
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Did you know... |
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