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Holidays and Customs
A Few U.S. Holidays and Customs
One fun way to learn about a culture is to participate in its traditions.
Here are a few holidays that Americans celebrate throughout the
country:
1 January: New Year's Day. Welcome the new year
with parties starting the night before (New Year's Eve on 31 December).
3rd Monday in January: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Commemorate the birthday of the African-American civil rights leader,
who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
14 February: Valentine's Day. Celebrate love and
romance by exchanging tokens of love (usually cards, candy or gifts).
3rd Monday of February: President's Day. Honor
past presidents like George Washington (the nation's first leader),
and Abraham Lincoln (Civil War hero who helped abolish slavery).
17 March: Saint Patrick's Day. Celebrate the patron
saint of Ireland with parades and parties decorated in Irish green.
1 April: April Fool’s Day. Play a clever
(but harmless) trick or tell a joke to someone with a good sense
of humor.
Last Monday of May: Memorial Day. Remember the
men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
4 July: Independence Day. View public displays
of fireworks as Americans mark the date in 1776 when thirteen U.S.
states declared their independence from England.
1st Monday in September: Labor Day. Honor the contributions
and efforts of hard workers throughout the country.
2nd Monday in October: Columbus Day. Pay tribute
to Christopher Columbus, who is traditionally thought of as the
discoverer of the Americas in 1492.
Last Thursday in November: Thanksgiving Day. Feast
on a traditional meal that commemorates the dinner of Pilgrims (first
settlers of the thirteen colonies) and the Native Americans.
25 December: Christmas Day. Celebrate the birth
of Christ, leader of the Christian faith, by exchanging gifts with
family and friends.
Address:
International Student Services
One Angwin Avenue
Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA 94508
Phone: 1 707 965 7362
Fax: 1 707 965 7386
Email: isa@puc.edu
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