Christmas
It is one of the most important holidays of the year. It is a Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. Giving presents, Christmas tree with coloured lights and decorations – these are typical examples of traditions.
On 24th December, on Christmas Eve, In UK and US children put their socks on the chimney place and believe that Father of Christmas (Santa Claus) puts there a small present (fruits and nuts).
On 25th December, on Christmas Day, the family has a big turkey dinner followed by Christmas pudding.
On 26th December, on Boxing Day, people visit their friends and relatives.
In the USA, Christmas becomes more and more commercial then all over the world.
In the Czech Republic it is different. On 24th December, on Christmas Eve, Ježíšek comes and brings presents. Children find them usually after a traditional dinner, which consists of fried carp and potato salad. On 25th December, second Christmas feast (Boží hod), is the time for visiting relatives.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
New Year’s Eve is the evening before New Year’s Day. In UK, people traditionally take a shower in the fountains on Trafalgar Square. It is followed by fireworks and drinking Champagne. In US, people have a big party on Time Square. Scottish New Year isa called Hogmanay [hogmony].
St. Valentine’s Day
It is celebrated on 14th February and is a holiday of people falling in love. Many people send cards to the people they love. These cards can be unsigned – people try to guess who sent them. People buy flowers, the most favourite one is a red rose.
Pancake Day
Pancake Day is celebrated forty days before Easter. It is beginning of lent (půst). It contains lots of fun, racing with pancakes, frying pancakes and rating them.
Mother’s DayIt is a day honouring mothers, celebrated on various days all around the world. In UK it falls three weeks before Easter Sunday. Mother’s Day in US was inspired by the British Mother’s Day and was introduced after the Civil War (1861 – 65).
Trooping the colour
It is a British military ceremony and is also known as the Queen’s Birthday Parade. It is celebrated in June to remember Queen’s birthday. It takes place on Horse guards Parade in London.
Bank holiday (legal holiday, public holiday)
Gun Powder Pot
It is also called Guy Fawkes Night. It is celebrated on 5th November. It is remembrance of 5th November 1605 when King James I. opened the Parliament. On the same day, Guy Fawkes was arrested because he wanted to blow up the Houses of Parliament, so he put gunpowder to the cellar of Houses of Parliament. But hi did a mistake: he called his friends and told them not to go to Houses of Parliament. The people warned the King.
Rememberence Day
It is a British holiday celebrated on Sunday close to 11th November. It was introduced after 1st World War to honour people who died there. People wear poppies (vlčí máky) in their pockets. Every city has its own cenotaph. We can find the most famous Cenotaph in Whitehall in London.
Veterance Day
It is an American holiday similar to Remembrance Day in UK.
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day was first celebrated in 1621 by Indians who survived last winter which was very hard. They wanted to thank the God for their first harvest too. Nowadays it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. The dinner consists of roast turkey with dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Halloween
Halloween means “holy evening”. It is a Celtic feast celebrated on 31st October. It is connected with witches and ghosts. There are many orange pumpkins with candles inside. Children are dressed up in disguise and usually say “trick or treat” when they knocked on the door. They get sweets or candies and go to next door.
Independence Day
Independence Day is celebrated till Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776. It celebrates the birth of a free and independent United States of America. Each city organise its own ceremony, fireworks, competitions, dancing, live music and shows.
Easter
It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon. It is celebrated because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On Easter Sunday chocolate Eggs are given.
On Good Friday hot cross buns (mazance) are made, they are toasted and eaten with butter.
Easter Monday is a public holiday in many countries.
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