Introduction to American festivals

The New Year is an important festival celebrated by American states. Americans celebrate the new year, and the most lively thing is the night before the new year. At midnight, people gather in churches, streets or squares to sing poems, pray, bless and repent, to welcome the new year. 12 midnight, church bells rang all over the country, and the band played the famous nostalgic song "bon voyage". In the music, excited people embrace together and greet the New Year with farewell sadness and longing for a new life.

The New Year is not the most lively festival in America, but there are still many grand celebrations. California's Rose Festival is the biggest New Year's holiday in America. By then, floats made of flowers, especially roses, will stretch for miles, filled with models made of all kinds of flowers, attracting not only California men, women and children to fill the streets, but also millions of TV viewers. In Philadelphia, there is a tradition of holding a costume parade. People who took part in the parade, some dressed as clowns, some dressed as women (according to ancient customs, women were not allowed to participate in this parade), singing and dancing, which was very lively.

Another interesting habit of Americans is to make wishes and resolutions in the new year, which they call "New Year's resolutions". This kind of resolution is usually not ambitious, but some simple and practical plans, such as "I will definitely quit smoking" and "I will treat my neighbors well". They always tell everyone frankly in order to get supervision and encouragement.

It is said that American Indians also have unique New Year customs. Every year on New Year's Eve, they hold a special bonfire party, where the whole family gathers around the bonfire, singing and dancing. When the dawn came, they burned their worn-out clothes as a symbol of saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new.

February 18, Washington's birthday.

As the founding father and the first president of the United States, George Washington will always be remembered by the American people. His birthday, February 22nd, is a legal holiday in all states of the United States.

1732 On February 22nd, Washington was born in Virginia. He served in the British colonial army in his early years. 1756 ~ 63 during the seven-year war between Britain and France, he was promoted to colonel because of his active combat. During the war of independence from 1775 to 8 1, he was elected commander-in-chief of the continental army, led the colonial people to fight bloody battles, and forced Britain to formally recognize American independence in 1783. From 65438 to 0789, Washington was elected as the first president of the United States and was re-elected for two terms. During his tenure, he made great contributions to the consolidation of the new country. The US Supreme Court, the the State Council, the Ministry of Finance and other important government agencies were all established during the Washington administration. 1797, Washington stepped down, which played a decisive role in establishing the presidential cabinet system and abolishing the hereditary system in the United States. 1799 12 14 Washington died.

Before American independence, people celebrated the birthday of the king of England every year. After declaring independence, the American people turned to celebrate the birthday of General Washington. This habit began at 1778. At that time, Washington was leading troops to defend the Wali fortress, and an artillery band serenaded him on his birthday. Washington's birthday has become a legal holiday in federal states. At that time, States generally held grand public sacrifice ceremonies, grand banquets and other celebrations. On this day, Americans also like to eat cherry pie and play with paper axes. This custom comes from the story of Washington honestly apologizing to his father after cutting down a cherry tree with an axe when he was young.

Memorial Day in May (last Monday in May)

Memorial Day is a holiday to be commemorated in most American states. It turned out to be May 30th after 197 1 year. In order to ensure that all federal employees can enjoy this rest day, many States have changed it to the last Monday in May.

In the American Civil War, countless soldiers were killed in the war. After the war, many families in the south began to pay homage to the soldiers who died. In spring, regardless of the north and south, they offer flowers to the graves of the dead on both sides. Northerners are deeply moved by this and regard this as a symbol of national unity. May 30th, 1868, was officially approved as the day to offer flowers to the soldiers who died heroically defending the motherland.

After the First World War, people began to pay homage to all the war victims on Memorial Day, and later gradually developed into ordinary families to pay homage to their deceased relatives. Today has become a universal anniversary, which is very similar to Tomb-Sweeping Day in China.

On Memorial Day, American servicemen and veterans lined up to the cemetery, fired guns to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers, and blew out the lights to let the fallen soldiers rest in peace.

Independence Day is the national day of the United States. It falls on July 4th to commemorate the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th. 1776.

The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and signed by john hancock, President of the Continental Congress, on July 4th, 776. The Declaration of Independence states that all people are born equal and have the natural right to pursue happiness and freedom, and the power of the government comes from the people. The crimes of British colonial rule against North America 13 states are enumerated. Finally, the United States of America solemnly declared its independence from Britain. Since then, the day when the Declaration of Independence was adopted has become a festival that the American people will always remember.

The early celebrations of Independence Day were mainly parades and speeches. Later, outdoor activities and sports competitions were added. Setting off firecrackers and fireworks was once very popular, but it was cancelled after the 20th century to prevent fire and other dangers.

Today, Independence Day is a very lively holiday in America. On this day, church bells rang all over the country. The first one was liberty bell in Philadelphia. Residents from all over the country spontaneously held a celebration parade, and all kinds of floats, small bands and happy people lined up in a vast team. The scene is spectacular.

Labor Day in September (the first Monday in September)

Labor Day is a national holiday in the United States. This is the first Monday in September, and we have a day off to show our respect for the workers.

1882, Peter mcguire, president of the American Woodworking Brotherhood, first proposed the establishment of Labor Day. In the same year, the American Knights of Labor passed the same decision and held a celebration parade in new york. 1884, the Knights of Labor further decided to hold a parade and other celebrations on Labor Day every year.

1887 In February, Oregon was the first state to pass legislation to make Labor Day a legal holiday, and then Carolina, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts all set the date of Labor Day as the first Monday in September. 1894, the US Congress officially declared Labor Day as a national holiday.

1October 12 Columbus Day.

Columbus Day is the second Monday of 10, 12 or 10 to commemorate Columbus' first landing on the American continent in 1492.

Christopher Columbus was an Italian navigator, born in Genoa. 1476 moved to Portugal. He believes in the theory of the earth circle and thinks that from the west of the Atlantic coast of Europe, he can reach the east. 1492 10, Columbus led three ships and 87 sailors across the Atlantic Ocean and reached San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, becoming the first person in the west to discover the new American continent. On 1493, 1498 and 1502, we sailed to the coast of the American continent for on-the-spot investigation. But until his death, he mistakenly thought that the American continent he arrived in was India, so he called the local residents "Indians."

Columbus Day was first commemorated by the United States in 1792. At that time, it was the 300th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in America, and the Tammuni Association of new york launched a commemorative activity. 1893, the Columbus exhibition was held in Chicago, and a grand commemorative event was held again. Since then, every year on this day, most states in the United States will hold celebrations, parades, church services and school activities to commemorate this historic day.

June 6, 438 * * * Veterans' Day (/kloc-the fourth Monday in October)

10 The fourth Monday in June is Veterans Day. This is a national holiday in the United States, paying tribute to the veterans of previous wars.

Veterans' Day evolved from165438+1October 1 1. 19 19 After World War I, Americans celebrated as usual every year. However, times have changed, and by 1953, people's enthusiasm for celebration has obviously declined. On June 1954 and 1, US President Eisenhower signed a congressional bill, renamed Armistice Day Veterans Day, and extended the commemorative significance to pay tribute to all veterans. Then, on this day, the President of the United States and the governors of all states announced that they would pay tribute to all American veterans and remember their achievements in the war. On this day, flags were flying everywhere, and veterans lined up to gather. In front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., people also held various commemorative activities. In the eyes of Americans, the unknown soldier symbolizes all the soldiers who died to defend their country.

1968, the us congress passed the "Sunday holiday law", which changed veterans day to the fourth Monday in June every year 10, so that people could spend three weekends. This legislation came into effect on 197 1, which is adopted by most states in the United States to commemorate Veterans Day.

165438+ Thanksgiving Day in October (last Thursday in November)

165438+ The fourth Thursday in October is Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is an ancient festival created by the American people, and it is also a festival for Americans to reunite with their families, so Americans always feel very cordial when they mention Thanksgiving.

The origin of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the beginning of American history. 1620, the famous "Mayflower" arrived in America with 102 Puritans who could not bear the persecution of English religion. In the winter at the turn of 1620 and 162 1, they encountered unimaginable difficulties and were hungry and cold. After winter passed, only 50 immigrants survived. At this time, the kind Indians brought necessities to the immigrants, and specially sent people to teach them how to hunt, fish and grow corn and pumpkins. With the help of Indians, the immigrants finally got a bumper harvest. On the day of celebrating the harvest, according to religious traditions and customs, immigrants set a day to thank God and decided to invite them to celebrate the festival together to thank the Indians for their sincere help.

On the first Thanksgiving, Indians and immigrants gathered together. They fired a salute at dawn, marched into a room used as a church, expressed their sincere thanks to God, then lit a bonfire and held a grand banquet. On the second and third days, wrestling, running, singing and dancing were held. The first Thanksgiving was a great success. Many of these celebrations have been circulated for more than 300 years and have been preserved to this day.

At first, there was no fixed date for Thanksgiving, which was decided temporarily by the states. It was not until the United States became independent that Thanksgiving Day became a national holiday.

On Thanksgiving Day, the whole country in America is very lively. People go to church to pray for gratitude according to custom, and there are costume parades, theatrical performances or sports competitions everywhere in urban and rural towns. Old Yan Fei's relatives who have been flying for a year will also come back from all over the country, and the whole family will be round and round, enjoying the delicious Thanksgiving turkey.

Thanksgiving food is full of traditional characteristics. Turkey is the traditional main course of Thanksgiving. Usually, the turkey will be stuffed with all kinds of spices and mixed food, and then the whole turkey will be roasted and sliced by the owner with a knife and distributed to everyone. In addition, traditional Thanksgiving food also includes sweet potato, corn, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and so on.

After Thanksgiving dinner, people sometimes play some traditional games. For example, in the pumpkin competition, contestants push pumpkins with small spoons. The rule is not to touch the pumpkin, and the first one to reach the finish line wins. The smaller the spoon used in the game, the more interesting the game is.

For many years, the custom of celebrating Thanksgiving has been passed down from generation to generation. Whether on the rocky west coast or in beautiful Hawaii, people celebrate Thanksgiving in almost the same way. Thanksgiving Day is a traditional festival celebrated by Americans of all faiths and nationalities.

February 25th Christmas 65438+

65438+February 25th Christmas is the biggest and most lively holiday in America. It can be said that after Thanksgiving, Americans have been busy with Christmas.

Many customs of Christmas come from legends in the Bible. According to the saying that Jesus was born at night, the celebration of Christmas began on the evening of February 24, 65438 and reached its climax at midnight. This night is called Christmas Eve. Americans usually hold celebrations all night. Some of them gather in pubs, dance halls and clubs to have fun; Some families will have a big dinner, and then sit around the fireplace to enjoy family happiness; There are also devout believers attending midnight service to commemorate the birth of Jesus in brightly lit churches.

The most interesting activity on Christmas Eve is "Good News", which symbolizes that angels report the good news of the birth of Christ to shepherds on the outskirts of Bethlehem. Late at night, the church choir sang Christmas carols from door to door in unison. So the family came out and joined the chorus. After singing, the host invited everyone into the house and entertained them with refreshments. After talking and laughing, the choir goes to other people's houses to sing, and the host family often goes together. The "good news" team is getting bigger and bigger, singing from door to door, and the atmosphere of joy is getting stronger and stronger, often lasting until dawn.

The most typical decoration of Christmas is the Christmas tree. People will hang gifts and colored lights on small fir trees or small pine trees, and put a big star on the top of the tree. These decorations are symbolic. The colored lights on the tree symbolize that Jesus brought light to the world, and the big star at the top of the tree represents the star that led the three wise men of the East to Bethlehem after Jesus was born. Besides the Christmas tree, holly and mistletoe are also common decorations for Christmas. Americans often hang wreaths of holly branches on their doors or put some holly branches on the dining table as holiday decorations. Some families will hang a bunch of mistletoe on the door frame or ceiling. According to traditional customs, anyone can kiss a woman standing under mistletoe at Christmas. Naughty boys often deliberately lead girls under mistletoe and give her a confident kiss.

Christmas is so important in America that it is hard for people to imagine that their ancestors once banned it. At that time, the English Puritans were persecuted by the Anglican Church and came all the way to the New World. They hate the depravity of the Anglican Church, so much so that they oppose all practices of the Anglican Church, so it is strictly forbidden to celebrate Christmas. They stipulate that anyone among immigrants who dares to celebrate Christmas must be fined. It was not until the19th century that a large number of German and Irish immigrants moved to the United States that this ban was lifted. Nowadays, Christmas has become one of the favorite festivals of the American people, and this past event has also become a historical anecdote.