- •Etymology
- •Symbols The American Flag
- •History of American Flag
- •Betsy Ross
- •The coat of arms of the United States
- •The Great Seal of the United States
- •Anthem of the United States.
- •Anthem History
- •Vocabulary notes
- •History discovery
- •English settlements
- •Colonial era
- •Revolution
- •Devising a constitution
- •New nation
- •Sectional conflict
- •Civil war
- •World War I, Great Depression, and World War II
- •Postwar superpower
- •The highlights (important dates) of American history
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Government
- •Introduction
- •The Constitution
- •The Executive Branch
- •The Legislative Branch
- •The Judicial Branch
- •State Government
- •Local Government
- •Political Parties
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Languages
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Religion
- •Introduction
- •Roots of Religions
- •Present Day Religious Affiliation
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Geography
- •Climate
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vegetation
- •Vocabulary notes
- •The Nation's Capital Washington, d.C. Facts from history
- •The capital today
- •Washington, d.C. Symbols and Emblems
- •Landmarks
- •Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Institutions
- •The capitol
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Famous cities
- •25 Biggest cities population
- •Anaheim, California
- •Lake Michigan
- •Entertainment and performing arts
- •Detroit, Michigan
- •Houston, Texas
- •Tourist attractions
- •Tourist attractions
- •New York City
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Culture
- •Popular media
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Usa Education
- •Universities in the United States
- •Top 20 Ranked universities.
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Famous American People Presidents
- •Literature
- •Arts and Entertainment
- •The Disney entertainment empire
- •Science and Inventions
- •Isaac singer's sewing machine
- •Henry Ford
- •Ford Motor Company
- •Ford Airplane Company
- •Other famous people
- •Vocabulary notes
- •American Traditions and Holidays
- •Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)
- •Independence Day (July 4)
- •New Years Eve and New Years Day
- •Valentine's Day
- •St. Patrick's day
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Cuisine
- •Problems with defining American cuisine
- •Particular American foods
- •The most popular American foods:
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Common Abbreviations
- •The united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland National symbols
- •Vocabulary notes
- •History
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Political system
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Languages
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Religion
- •Vocabulary notes
- •G eography and climate
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Plant and Animal Life
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Largest cities
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Culture
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Educational System
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Universities
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Famous people
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Traditions, customs, holidays
- •Vocabulary notes
- •British cuisine
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Canada National symbols
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Political system
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Languages
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Geography and climate
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Plant and animal life
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Educational system and universities
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Famous People
- •Canadian cuisine
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Speech habits Бытовая сфера
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Профессионально-деловая сфера
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Учебно-социальная сфера
- •Instructor’s Notes
- •Interview with an Expert
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Социально-деловая сфера
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Vocabulary notes
- •Особенности употребления формул вежливости
- •1. Приветствие / Прощание
- •2. Please, thank you, of course
- •3. Sorry, excuse me
- •4. Приказ, вежливая просьба, предложение
- •Business correspondence Деловое письмо
- •Служебная записка Memo
- •Электронное сообщение
- •Конверт Envelope
- •Письмо – запрос Letter of enquiry/request
- •Образец апим
- •Contents
Vocabulary notes
Requisite-необходимый
Intertwine-переплетать
Colonel-полковник
Skirmish-перестрелка
contribute-вкладывать
resign-уходить в отставку
expenditure-издержки, расходы
eliminate-уничтожать
harass-изводить
qualm-беспокойство
herald-уведомлять
military-военный
inscribe-надписывать, вписывать
malice-злоба
charity-благотворительность
strive-стараться
to be assassinated-быть убитым
arrogated-дерзко
plea-судебный процесс
guerrilla- партизан
threaten-угрожать
enunciate-уведомлять
assassin-убийца
descent-приличный, достойный
recuperate-выздоравливать
brink-край, обрыв
blackmail-шантаж
futility-тщетность
embroil-запутывать
overhaul-тщательный осмотр
insurgency-бунт, мятеж
achievement-достижение
divert-отклонять
embodу-воплощать
Uncle Tom's Cabin-Хижина дяди Тома
Injustice-несправедливость
Slave-раб
pen name-псевдоним
masterpiece-шедевр
poverty-бедность
depict-изображать
overwhelming-непреодолимый
inevitability-неизбежность
envy-зависть
despair-отчаяние
The Old Man and the Sea- Старик и море
A Farewell to Arms- Прощай оружие
For Whom the Bell Tolls- По ком звонит колокол
Grapes of Wrath- Гроздья гнева
feudal oppression-феодальный гнет
leaping ability-способность прыгать
endorsement-одобрение
orphanage-детский дом
versatile-разносторонний
mime-мим
adulation-лесть
vagrant-бродяга
entrepreneur-предприниматель
lung cancer-рак легких
sewing machine-швейная машинка
traffic light-светофор
profitable-прибыльный
alloy-сплав
fortune-состояние (богатство)
eradication-уничтожение, подавление
American Traditions and Holidays
HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL DAYS
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 King 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
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 but may not always be closed, for example, on President's Day or Veterans Day.
Ethnic & Religious Observances
The United States is a nation of many religions and ethnic groups. Many of these have feast days, holy days or special customs related to their religion or to their nation of origin.
The celebration of Mardi Gras - the day before the Christian season of Lent begins in late winter - is a tradition in New Orleans. The celebration, marked by a huge parade and much feasting, grew out of old French traditions, since Louisiana was once part of France's New World empire. In various places, other ethnic groups sponsor parades or other events of great interest, adding pageantry and merriment to American life. Just a few examples:St. Patrick's Day in the United States is a time of celebration for people of Irish descent and their friends. One of the biggest celebrations takes place in New York City, where a parade is held on the Irish patron saint's feast, March 17.In areas where Americans of Chinese descent live, and especially in the Chinatown sections of New York City and San Francisco, California, people sponsor traditional Chinese New Year's celebrations with feasts, parades and fireworks.
Memorial Day
This holiday, on the fourth Monday of every May, is a day on which Americans honor the dead. Originally a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered the same way. Cities all around the United States hold their own ceremonies on the last Monday in May to pay respect to the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country. On Memorial Day, the President or Vice President of the United States gives a speech and lays a wreath on the tombs. Members of the armed forces shoot a rifle salute in the air. Veterans and families come to lay their own wreaths and say prayers. It is a day of reflection. However, to many Americans the day also signals the beginning of summer with a three-day weekend to spend at the beach, in the mountains or at home relaxing.