CUSTOMC AND TRADITIONS IN THE USA
CUSTOMS
Every nation has different customs and traditions, its own way of life.
In Europe there are people who have lived in the same house and been in the same job for 20, 30 or more years. That’s not the American way of life. The Americans love change, they call it the spirit of adventure, a spirit that they think is more characteristic of America than of Europe. They like to move away, to change houses and jobs.
While the Englishman thinks it is ill mannered to ask private questions, the American doesn’t feel that at all. He will tell you all about himself, his wife and family, and ask where you have come from, what your job is, how you like America and how long you are staying. The American prefers sociability. In his home he doesn’t object to being seen by everyone — he actually likes it.
With this sociability goes overwhelming hospitality
And, of course, no nation can exist without humour. As they themselves say, an American must have one wife, two cars, three children, four pets, five suits, six acres, seven credit cards — and is lucky to have eight cents in his pocket.
Сustoms and traditions
in the USA
Holidays in the USA
New Year’s Day (January 1st)
Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January)
Washington’s Birthday (third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
Veterans’ Day (November 11th)
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
Christmas Day (December 25th)
People in every culture celebrate their holidays. American people mostly commemorate something by their holidays. There are no federal (national) holidays in the USA. There are no such days when all employees in America get a day off at work and when all businesses stop. Each of 50 states has its own laws about the holidays. In practice, however, most states observe ten federal (“legal or public”) holidays, which are set by the Government:
1 January
New Year's Day
New Year’s Day is on January 1st, but Americans begin celebrating it on December 31st, on New Year’s Eve with masquerade balls or watching TV broadcast of Times Square in the heart of New York City. At midnight people hug and kiss and wish each other “Happy New Year!” On January 1st Americans visit their friends, relatives and neighbours to wish the best for the year ahead and have plenty to eat and drink.
Martin Luther King Day
Third Monday in January
Martin Luther King Day is observed on the third Monday of January. He was a minister who fought against discrimination and for equality of black people. On this day there are quiet memorial services and ceremonies in honour of Dr. King and his lifelong work for peace in the States.
Washington’s Birthday Third Monday in February
Until 1971 Americans had two federal public honour days in February: the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12th and the birthday of George Washington on February 22nd. Since 1971 there is one single federal public holiday, the Presidents’ Day, observed on the third Monday of February in honour of all past Presidents of the United States of America.
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
It is dedicated to the memory of those who died for America in different wars. The national flags are put on the graves of soldiers on this day.
Independence Day
July 4th
Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th. On this very day in 1776 the USA announced that it would be free and independent from England and the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
Labor Day First Monday in September
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Columbus Day
Second Monday in October
On Columbus Day, Americans celebrate the discovery of America made by Christopher Columbus. Officially, the people of the USA are invited to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. In some towns and cities, special church services, parades and large events are held. Most celebrations are concentrated around the Italian-American community. The celebrations in New York and San Francisco are particularly noteworthy. In Hawaii Columbus Day is also known as Landing Day or Discoverer's Day.
Veterans’ Day
November 11th
It is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918.
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November
Thanksgiving Day comes on the fourth Thursday of November. When the first settlers landed in America, their first year was very hard and 50 of 100 people died. But the Indians taught people how to plant corn and wild vegetables and in autumn they got a large harvest. Thanksgiving Day was their holiday, the day of giving thanks to God.
A national Thanksgiving Day is perhaps the only holiday spent by the Americans at home. Table decorations follow a traditional pattern — a harvest of Indian corn, apples, oranges, walnuts and grapes. Flowers also bring the fall scene indoors. The centrepiece is the traditional roast turkey.
Дети в этот день мастерят праздничные поделки
Christmas Day December 25th
Christmas Trees are decorated and children wait for their presents from Santa Claus.
Americans celebrate Christmas Day on December 25th. It is a religious Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a day of giving and receiving presents.
Non-official holidays
in the USA
St. Valentine’s Day (14 February 14th)
April Fools’ Day / All Fools’ Day (April 1th)
Easter
Mother’s Day(second Sunday in May)
Father’s Day (third Sunday in June )
Halloween - All Saints’ Day (31 October )
St. Valentine’s Day
(February 14th)
On February 14th there is St. Valentine’s Day . It is a traditional celebration of love and romance when people send cards, flowers, sweets and other gifts to their sweethearts and friends.
Some facts
Some facts
Valentine's Day is a day to share loving feelings with friends and family. It is also known as a holiday honoring lovers. It is celebrated on the 14th of February. This is a happy day because it is specially dedicated to celebrate love, affection and friendship.
There is a wide-spread custom of sending greeting cards or gifts to express affection. Every February 14, millions of people send Valentines to those whom they love. The cards, known as Valentines, are often designed with hearts to symbolize love.
Easter
Easter is the time for holidays, festivals and time for giving chocolate Easter eggs, the day of parties, and above all a celebration that Jesus raised from the dead and lives forever.
At Easter there is a tradition for people to buy new clothes. After church services many people take walks along the streets of their towns, wearing their new Easter hats and suits. This is usually called the "Easter Parade".
Eggs play an important part in Easter celebration; they are predominantly given to children. The eggs are either hollow or have a filling, and are usually covered with brightly colored silver paper. Many Americans follow old traditions: colour hard-boiled eggs and give children baskets of candies.
Mother’s Day
(second Sunday in May)
There is a nice holiday for mothers on the second Sunday in May called Mother’s Day. On this day American children of all ages do something special for their mothers to show their love.
Father’s Day
(third Sunday in June )
Many people send their fathers a card or a gift. Americans are great letter-writers. Whatever happens in a family, they congratulate all the members. They congratulate people on Easter, Christmas and Whitsun. They do not have to possess great literary talent themselves, because one can find printed texts for all possible occasions. One may select and check any of these suggested texts: “Here’s to Father: always loved, respected, and admired”. “Warmest wishes for your happiness on Father’s Day and ever after”. About 1909, the churches of Spokane, Washington, set aside the day to honour fathers. The custom soon spread throughout the United States and Canada. During the autumn, some colleges celebrate Dad’s Day. They set aside a Saturday during the football season. On Dad’s Day, they honour the fathers among the members and friends of the college.
Halloween - All Saints’ Day
(31 October )
Most people think Halloween is a fun time to put on costumes and have parties. Costumes can be scary or funny, and the best costumes are not bought in a store – the best costumes are made at home.
Children and adults wear costumes, and while the adults are partying, the children go from house to house and ask for candy. This is called Trick-or-Treating, because when the children go up to a house to ask for candy, they are supposed to shout “Trick or Treat!”
Another Halloween tradition is the Jack-o-lantern. That tradition started in Ireland, where people would carve turnips (репа) into lanterns to scare away spirits. In the USA now, pumpkins (тыква) are carved instead of turnips. Then, people put these jack-o-lanterns on their porches with a candle inside. Jack-o-lanterns are an important symbol of Halloween.
Some religious people don't like Halloween, because Halloween started hundreds of years ago as a pagan (not Christian) holiday. They say that people that wear costumes and carve jack-o-lanterns are actually celebrating the devil. Not very many people say things like this – but they say it very loudly. Most people in the USA only see Halloween as a time for fun and games, nothing else.
