Holidays in the usa

The population of the United States is made up of people of different nationalities. Their predecessors came to America from different countries, and they brought their native celebrations with them. They all became Americans, but kept many traditions of those countries they had come from. That is why the number of holidays in different states of America is different. But the most important holidays are celebrated throughout the United States.

One of the greatest holidays in the USA is Independence Day (July 4). In that day of 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed, proclaiming independence of thirteen British colonies from Great Britain. July 4 has become the greatest holiday since that time. Cities are decorated with flags on that day, there are parades in some places, but most people just go on picnics to the countryside.

Another great US holiday is New Year's Day. People see the old year off and the New Year in¹. Most people stay up all night, even children. At midnight many people go outside and shout "Happy New Year!". Some people blow automobile horns which are heard everywhere. Everybody exchanges presents and good wishes. Offices, factories, banks, and stores do not work on this day.

Christmas is a religious holiday. By this day people set fur trees in their houses and decorate them with toys and candies. Children wait for Santa Claus who comes to every house and brings them presents. Before going to bed, children leave their shoes to find in them what they want most of all the next morning. Most people prefer to stay at home with the whole family on this day. Some people visited churches.

Thanksgiving Day is kind of religious holiday too. It falls on the 4^th Thursday in November. Thanksgiving has been celebrated since the first harvest festival in America in the autumn of 1621. On this day family members gather at the house of an older relative, even if they live far away. People thanks God for his goodness and good harvest. It is a long-standing tradition to fry a large turkey for a festive meal on this day. Charitable organizations offer traditional rich meal to the homeless.

______________________

⁹ People see the old year off and the New Year in. – Люди провожают старый и встречают новый год.

Names:

Independence [,indi`pendəns] Day – День независимости США

Declaration [,deklə`rei∫(ə)n] of Independence – провозглашение (декларация) независимости

Santa Claus [,sæntə`clo:z] – Санта Клаус

Thanksgiving [`θæŋks,giviŋ] Day – День благодарения

Vocabulary:

at midnight [ət `midnait] – в полночь

automobile horn [`o:təməbail `ho:n] – автомобильный сигнал

charitable organization [`t∫æritəbl ,o:gənai`zei∫n] – благотворительная организация

colony [`сoləni] – колония

countryside [`kΛntrisaid] – сельская местность, деревня

different [`dif(ə)r(ə)nt] – другой, отличный

factory [`fæktəri] – завод, фабрика, предприятие

festive meal [`festiv ,mi:l] – праздничная еда

goodness [`gu:dnəs] – доброта, великодушие

harvest festival [`ha:vəst `festivəl] – праздник урожая

homeless [`həumləs] – бездомный

long-standing [,loŋ`stændiŋ] tradition – древняя, давняя традиция

nationality [,næ∫(ə)`næliti] – национальность

number [`nΛmbə] – число, количество

store [sto:] – зд.: большой магазин

throughout [θru:`aut] – предлог: через, по всему

to bring [briŋ] (brought [bro:t]) – приносить, доставлять

to decorate [`dekəreit] – украшать, to be decorated with smth. – быть украшенным чем-л.

to exchange [iks`t∫eind3] presents and good wishes – обмениваться подарками и добрыми пожеланиями

to go outside [`autsaid] – выходить на улицу

to go on picnic – устраивать пикник

to hear [hiə] (heard [hə:d]) – слышать, to be heard – слышаться, быть услышанным

to keep [ki:p] (kept) tradition – поддерживать традицию

to leave [li:v] (left) shoes – оставлять обувь

to live far away – жить далеко

to prefer [pri`fə:] – предпочитать

to shout [∫aut] – кричать

For self-examination

Answer the questions:

1. Why the number of holidays is different in the USA?

2. When is Independence Day celebrated?

3. How do the Americans celebrate Christmas?

4. How and when is Thanksgiven Day celebrated in the USA?

Fill in the blanks:

1. One of the greatest holidays in the USA is _______(July 4).

2. Another great US holiday is _______.

3. At midnight many people go outside and shout "_______!".

4. Children wait for _______ who comes to every house and brings them _______.

5. _______ is celebrated on the 4^th Thursday in November.

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence:

1. the most, important, are celebrated, holidays, throughout, United States, the;

2. the greatest, one of, USA, holidays, the, is, in, Independence Day;

3. everybody, presents, exchanges, wishes, and, good;

4. it is, tradition, to fry, a long-standing, large, a, turkey, on, Thanks- giving Day.

4. Make up a plan (logical scheme) and then summarize the content of the text "Holidays in the USA".

5. Read and translate the text "British Traditions". Make the annotation to it in writing.