Independence Day (July 4)

Independence Day is regarded as the birthday of the United States as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it the "Fourth of July," on which date it always falls. The holiday recalls the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence, signed by leaders from the colonies, stated this clearly, and for the first time in an official document the colonies were referred to as the United States of America. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag (which also occurs on Memorial Day and other holidays) is widespread. On July 4, 1976, the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was marked by grand festivals across the nation.

New Years Eve and New Years Day

New Years Day is the first day of the year, January 1st.  It is a celebration of the old year and the new one to come.  People make New Years Resolutions each New Years and promise themselves that they will keep this resolution until next year.  New Years Eve is a major social event.  Clubs everywhere are packed with party-goers who stay out all night and go nuts at midnight.  At midnight it is a tradition to make lots of noise.  The traditional New Years Ball is dropped every year in Times Square in New York City at 12 o’clock.  This event can be seen all over the world on television.   

Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine's Day is a day that is set aside to promote the idea of "love".  It is celebrated on February 14th.   People send greeting cards or gifts to loved ones and friends to show them that they care.

Easter 

Easter is a major Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. The 40 days leading up to Easter are observed as Lent.  Besides the religious aspects of Easter, people also celebrate spring or the signs of new life. There are often Easter Parades such as the one in New York City where people dress up in their new spring clothes.  Children receive Easter baskets filled with candy Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and jelly beans!  The dying of eggs with food color is also an Easter tradition in many American families. 

St. Patrick's day

Many Irish people live in the United States. On March 17, St. Patrick's Day is their holiday.

St. Patrick's Day is not a national holiday in the United States. But it is a special day. Many people in the United States celebrate it. They remember the Irish people in the United States and Ireland. Ireland has a lot of green grass. So green is the color of Ireland. Many people wear green on St. Patrick's Day. Ireland also has a lot of shamrocks. They are small plants with three leaves. A shamrock with four leaves brings good luck. Many people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day.

On St. Patrick's Day, there are parades. People sing, dance, and eat Irish food. Some people make green drinks. In Chicago, they color the river green! Big cities with a lot of Irish people, such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, have huge St. Patrick's Day parades. The people in the parades wear Irish clothes. Bands play songs about Ireland.St. Patrick's Day honors St. Patrick. He was a priest in Ireland. He helped the Irish learn about Christianity.