Now we will learn more about U.S. history by reading about the
country's national holidays. Match the commemorations with their
description. Then, read in detail and look up in an online dictionary
all the words that are new for you.
a) Thanksgiving
b) Memorial Day
c) Independence Day or Fourth of July
d) Labor Day
1. ……………… is a United States federal holiday observed on the
first Monday in September (September 6 in 2010). The first ………… in the
United States was observed on September 5, 1878, in Boston, by the
Central Labor Union of New York, the nation's first integrated major
trade union. It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the
deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S.
Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put
reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority.
2. ……………………, commonly known as the 4th of July, is a
federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the
Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from
the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated
with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts,
baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies, and
various other public and private events celebrating the history,
government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the
national day of the United States.
3. ……………… is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the
United States and Canada. It was a holiday to express thankfulness,
gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all
have been blessed of material possessions and relationships.
Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful
harvest. In the United States, ………………… falls on the fourth Thursday of
November. In Canada it is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Americans commonly believe that the first Thanksgiving happened in 1621,
at Plymouth Plantation, in Massachusetts.
4. ……………… is a United States federal holiday observed on the
last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day,
it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service.
First declared to honor soldiers of the American Civil War – it was
extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.
In the United States, this day marks the start of the summer vacation
season, and Labor Day marks its end.
6) Complete these sentences
with anniversaries from the U.S. and other English-speaking countries
using the verb in parenthesis in the correct form. Use the Simple Past
or Simple Present tenses whenever needed.
• The United States National Day is
Fourth of July. This important date (commemorate) the adoption of the Declaration
of Independence on July 4th. On this date in 1776, some
colonies (declare)
their independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain and (open) the way for other
American colonies to do the same. At present, people in the U.S. (celebrate) with fireworks,
barbecues and picnics in public and private places.
• Labor Day in the United States is
federal holiday on the first Monday in September. However, for many other
worldwide countries this commemoration (take) the date of May, 1st , known
as International Workers' Day. On this day in 1886, in Haymarket in
Chicago, the Chicago police (fire)
on workers during a general strike for the eight hour workday and (kill) several
demonstrators.
• South African Independence from
the United Kingdom was gradual: the area called The Union, (declare) it in 1910 but
the process for the whole country (finish) with the Statute of Westminster on
December 11, 1931.
• American Football (be) so popular in the
United States that usually the first Sunday in February is considered a
holiday known as Super Bowl Sunday. The National Football League's
championship –the Super Bowl– (be)
the top prize in the sport of American Football. Festivities generally (include)
in-home parties and watching the game on television with beverages and
snacks.
• The Republic of Ireland (develop) its independence
from the United Kingdom initially in 1922. Constitutional changes
throughout the history of the new state led to its full independence.
• February 14
(represent) Valentine's Day, a traditional
celebration of love and romance. One or more early Christian martyrs (call)
Valentine (provide)
the name to the celebration, that was established by Pope Gelasius I in
500 AD. In 1969 Pope Paul VI (delete)
it from the Roman calendar of saints but its religious observance is still
permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love
for each other. Since the 19th century, mass-produced greeting cards and
valentine products (replace)
the old hand- written crafts.
• On March 17, Saint Patrick's Day
is a celebration of Irish heritage and culture. It is based on the Roman
Catholic feast of Saint Patrick. Primary activity is simply the wearing of
green clothing although drinking beer dyed green is also popular.
Historically, people usually (attend)
mass on this date but presently it is more popular to attend parades.
• April Fools' Day, on April 1, is a
day to play tricks on family, friends, and coworkers, if so inclined. This
day (mark)
the start of the New Year in past times. The tradition (start) when New Year's Day
was moved from April 1 to January 1.
• At Easter, religious people (celebrate) the
beginning of spring and the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus.
For some Christians, Easter (be)
a day of religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans (follow) the
tradition of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of
candy. Most businesses not
generally observe) it, as it always falls on a Sunday. Most
financial markets and some other businesses
(close) on the Friday prior, Good Friday.
Protestant Churches, and the Roman Catholic Church
(celebrate) Easter on a different Sunday
than the Eastern Orthodox churches. It falls on the first Sunday after the
first full moon after the vernal equinox.
• May 5
(commemorate) the anniversary of the
victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla in
1862. Primarily a celebration of Mexican culture by Mexican-Americans
living in the United States, Cinco de Mayo
(be) presently far more important in the
USA than in Mexico itself.
• The second Sunday in May (honor) Mother's Day and
motherhood in the US.
• On June 14 the United States (adopt) its
original flag in 1777. It is therefore, Flag's Day.
• Third Sunday in June, Father's Day in the US,
(honor) fathers and fatherhood.
• On the morning of September 11th,
2001 an airline attack on two buildings of the Word Trade Center (kill) 2,977 people. A
discretionary day of remembrance was designated in memory of the
casualties and it (receive)
the name of Patriot Day.