9. Put the following historic events in chronological order and supply them with dates:

American colonies proclaimed their independence from Britain

Boston “Tea Party”

Foundation of Jamestown, the first permanent British colony in America

George Washington was elected the first president of the United States

The Constitution of the USA was adopted in Philadelphia

The first battles of American Revolution

The Pilgrims reached America on board the Mayflower and founded Plymouth

General Grant took Richmond. The confederate army laid down arms

The first Thanksgiving celebration

Boston Massacre

The Civil War between the North and the South began

The First Continental Congress was convened in Philadelphia

Britain officially recognized the independence of American colonies

The colonial armies defeated the British troops at Yorktown

10. Check your knowledge:

1. When and how did the first British colonies in America appear?

2. What hardships did the colonists face in the New World? Who helped them cope with those hardships?

3. How did northern and southern colonies differ in their development?

4. What policy did Britain pursue as regards her colonies in America?

5. Which economic factors caused the colonists’ opposition to Britain?

6. What are the main events of American Revolution?

7. What was the background of Boston “Tea Party”?

8. What was the historic role of the First Continental Congress?

9. How can you interpret the famous words pronounced by Patrick Henry at the Virginia Assembly “Give me liberty or give me death”?

10. Why was the first part of the War of Independence not successful for the colonists? How did the situation change as the war went on?

11. What are the basic principles of the Declaration of Independence?

12. What were the causes which led to the Civil War in the United States?

13. Who won the Civil War and how long did it last? What was the major outcome of the war?

11. Holidays in the usa

Read about some of US holidays. Do we have similar celebrations in Ukraine? Point out the differences.

While reading, make a “holiday calendar” noting the date, the background and the meaning of each holiday, traditions associated with it (special activities, presents, symbols, dishes, etc.)

George Washington’s Birthday (February 22)

Americans celebrated Washington’s birthday while he was still alive. They were grateful for a strong leader who had proved that democracy was a feasible way to govern their growing country. And, while he was alive, legends grew up about him. The most famous one says that he was so strong, he threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River. Another story says that when George Washington was young, his father gave him a hatchet. He tried to cut down a cherry tree with it. His father noticed the cuts on the tree, and asked his son how they got there. “I can not tell a lie”, George said, “I did it with my hatchet”. Perhaps George Washington had no hatchet, and perhaps there were no cherry trees where he grew up. However, Americans pass this story to their children as a lesson of honesty, and cherry pies have become a favourite food associated with Washington’s birthday. Various communities observe the holiday by staging parades and performances of events from Washington’s life. Many stores run Presidents’ Day sales to attract shoppers who have the day off from work or school.

Mother’s Day (Second Sunday in May)

On the second Sunday in May, American children of all ages treat their mothers to something special. It is the day when children, young and old, try to show how much they appreciate their mothers. The establishment of this holiday in the United States was due largely to the perseverance and love of one daughter, Anna Jarvis. When her mother died, Anna was determined to honour her. She asked the minister at her church in West Virginia to give a sermon in her mother’s memory. Anna Jarvis began writing to congressmen, asking them to set aside a day to honour mothers. In 1910, the governor of West Virginia proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day; and a year later, every state celebrated it.

On Mother’s Day morning, some American children follow the tradition of serving their mothers breakfast in bed. Other children will give their mothers gifts which they have made themselves , or bought in stores. Adults give their mothers red carnations, the official Mother’s Day flower. If their mothers are deceased, they may bring white carnations to their grave sites. This is the busiest day of the year for American restaurants. On her special day, family members do not want Mom to cook dinner!