Comprehension
Exercise
1.
A. What
does the term «federal holiday» mean? Which level of government
decides on the dates of public holidays?
B. Fill
in the information about the present-day federal holidays in the US:
-
C. What
other types holidays exist in the country?
Exercise
2. Who are the
people commemorated on the following days and what is their role in
the country's history?
Martin Luther King Day
Presidents' Day
Columbus Day
Exercise
3. What is the
historical background of the following holidays and what are the
traditions connected with them?
-
|
Holiday |
Historical
background |
Modern
traditions |
|
Memorial Day
|
|
|
|
Independence Day |
|
|
|
Labor Day
|
|
|
|
Veterans'
Day
|
|
|
|
Thanksgiving
|
|
|
Self-Assessment
Exercise 1. Answer the following questions.
What are the public holidays in the USA?
What holidays are closely connected with the outstanding Americans?
What other people are honoured?
What food-stuffs and plant symbols are associated with the major
holidays?
Exercise . 2. Match the description of the holiday with its
name.
This
holiday is celebrated in January. It is an official national
holiday associated with merry-making, parties and get-togethers |
St.
Patrick’s Day |
On
this day tricks are played to fool people. |
Presidents
Day |
The
holiday is celebrated on June 14 and commemorates the adoption of
the first American flag on June 14, 1776. |
Halloween |
This
holiday is celebrated only in the USA. It takes place on the
third Monday in February. Some states observe it twice, but both
times in February. |
Easter |
The
holiday is widely celebrated by the people with Irish background.
They dress in green and wear shamrocks in their buttonholes. |
Election
Day |
The
holiday is always celebrated on a Sunday preceded by Good Friday
to commemorate Jesus Christ`s resurrection. |
Independence
Day |
This
holiday is not an official one. It is always celebrated on
October 31st.
On the day one can see young “ghosts” and “witches”
begging for fruit and candies. |
New
Year`s Day |
It
is celebrated on 11th
of November to honor the veterans of American Wars. |
Columbus
day |
The
holiday commemorates the birth of a prominent Civil Rights Leader
and is observed on the third Monday in January. |
Christmas
Day |
It
is a national holiday. The day falls on the fourth Thursday of
November and the Friday after it is also a day-off. Thus college
students often use this four-day weekend to come home and
re-unite with their families for large dinners. |
April
Fool`s Day |
It
is America`s birthday since 1776. |
Martin
Luther King Day |
It
is a Jewish holiday celebrating survival of Jews in Egypt. |
St.
Valentine`s Day |
The
holiday falls on the 25th
of
December and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. |
Patriots
Day |
The
day was set up for all national and most state and local
elections. It is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November. |
Mother’s
Day |
April
19 is celebrated in a few states of New England. It commemorates
the beginning of the American Revolution against Great Britain in
Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. |
Veterans
Day |
The
holiday is generally celebrated on the second Sunday in May. |
Thanksgiving
Day |
On
this day lovers exchange their vows of love through greeting
cards, flowers and small gifts. It is one of the most
commercialized holidays that are celebrated in winter-time. |
Memorial
Day |
The
holiday is observed on October 12 or second Monday in October
commemorating the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus on
October 12, 1942. |
Passover
|
The
holiday is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. |
Labor
Day |
This
national holiday falls on the first Monday in September and
commemorates the American working tradition. Many Americans have
picnics on this day or go on holiday for a three-day weekend. |
Flag
Day |
The
holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. It commemorates
Americans who fought and died in various wars for the nation. |
Father’s
Day |
Exercise 3. Group the most important holidays under the
following headings.
Winter Holidays
Spring Holidays
Summer Holidays
Fall Celebrations
