New Year's day

AMERICAN HOLIDAYS

The population of the USA is made up of people of different nationalities. Centuries ago they brought with them their native celebrations. Home holidays which are marked in the US originated in America, There is no provision tor national holidays in the USA. The number of holiday is different in different states — from 8 in the District of Columbia to 20 in Oklahoma.

People in every culture celebrate holidays. Although the word "holiday" literally means "holy day/ most American holidays are not religious, but commemorative in nature and origin. Because the nation is blessed with rich ethnic heritage it is possible to trace some of the American holidays to diverse cultural sources and traditions, but all holidays have taken on a distinctively American flavor In the United States, the word "holiday" is synonymous with "celebration!"

In the strict sense, there are no federal (national) holidays in the United States. Each of the 50 states has jurisdiction over its holidays. In practice, however, most states observe the federal ("legal or public") holidays, even though the President and Congress can legally designate holidays only for federal government employees.

The following ten holidays per year are proclaimed by the federal government:

New Year’s Day - January 1

Martin Luther Ling day - third Monday in January

Washington’s Birthday - third Monday in February

Memorial Day - last Monday in May

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - first Monday in September

Columbus Day - second Monday in October

Veterans Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day - fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Day - December 25

In 1971, the dates of many federal holidays were officially moved to the nearest Monday by then-President Richard Nixon. There are five holidays which are not necessarily celebrated on Mondays: Thanksgiving Day, Veterans Day, New Year's Day, Independence Day and Christmas Day. When New Year's Day, Independence Day, or Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the next day is also a holiday. When one of these holidays falls on a Saturday, the previous day is also a holiday. Federal government offices, including the post office, are always closed on all federal holidays. Schools and businesses close on major holidays like Independence Day and Christmas Day hut may not always he closed. for example, on President's Day or Veterans Day.

New Year's day

New Year's Day is January 1. The celebration of this federal holiday begins the night before, when Americans gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous coming year. The start of New Year's Day, at midnight, is heralded by fireworks, parties and special events, which are often televised. Very few people have to work on the day itself. For many it is a day of recovery from the New Year's Eve celebrations the previous night. In some towns and cities, parades are held and special football games are played. The birth of the first baby in the New Year is often celebrated with gifts to his or her parents and appearances in local newspapers and on local news shows. Many people make New Year's resolutions. These are usually promises to themselves that they will improve something in their own lives. Common New Year's resolutions are: drink less alcohol, get a better education, get a better job, get fit, health-e-cards for holidays and New Year, lose weight, manage debt, quit smoking now, reduce stress at work, reduce stress overall, save money, take a trip, volunteer to help others or to live a healthier lifestyle.

Government offices, organizations, schools and many businesses are closed in the USA on New Year's Day. Public transit systems do not run on their regular schedules. Where large public celebrations have been held, traffic may be disrupted by the clean-up operation. In general, public life is completely closed down.

A common symbol of New Year's Day is Baby New Year. This is often a white male baby dressed in a diaper, a hat and a sash. The year he represents is printed on his sash. He rarely a newbom baby, as many pictures show him sitting up or even standing alone. According to mythology. Baby New Year grows up and ages in a single year. At the end of the year he is an old man and hands his role over to the next Baby New Year. Other symbols of New Year's Day are spectacular fireworks exploding over landmarks and clocks striking midnight as the year begins.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16