Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

258

Special dayS Set aSide for celebration and fun are called

holidays. the word comes from the anglo-Saxon for “holy day,”

because the first holidays honored sacred events or holy people.

today, there are holidays to mark important historical events, honor

special people, give thanks, or celebrate a new season or a new year.

other holidays—Valentine’s day, april fools’ day, and Halloween—

have their own special traditions that are celebrated just for fun.

Many countries have national holidays, established by tradition or

law and observed every year on the same day. in the United States,

the president and congress have declared 10 public holidays, but it is

up to each state to decide the legal holidays within its borders.

Honoring HiStory

Most countries celebrate the anniversaries of

important historical events with public holidays.

government employees and many other workers

are given the day off, and schools may close so

that most people can celebrate the day. in north

america, public holidays marking a nation’s

independence are celebrated in canada on July 1,

and in Mexico on September 15 and 16. in the

United States, independence day is marked on

July 4 – huge fireworks displays light up the sky

and people celebrate with picnics and parties.

celebrating Special liVeS

Some holidays remember america’s heroes.

the first president, george Washington,

explorer christopher columbus, and civil

rights leader Martin luther King, Jr., are

all honored with public holidays. america

remembers its war dead on Memorial

day, and celebrates the lives of those

who served in the armed forces on

Veterans’ day. labor day is a

holiday to honor working people.

traditional HolidayS

Some holidays are celebrated just for fun. on

Valentine’s day, people exchange special cards

with their loved ones. Mother’s day and father’s

day are set aside to remember parents. on

Halloween, children dress up in costumes

and go from house to house collecting treats.

NatioNal holidays

New year’s day January 1.

Martin luther King day third

Monday in January.

Presidents’ day 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.

Valentines

made from

lace were popular

in Victorian times.

Korean War

memorial

Holidays

religioUS HolidayS

each religion has its own holidays. christians

celebrate the birth of Jesus christ at christmas,

and christ’s resurrection at easter. for Jewish

people, rosh Hashanah, the new year, and yom

Kippur, a day of reflection and hope, are special

holidays. ramadan is a sacred Muslim holiday, a

time for fasting and reflection. buddhists

celebrate events in the life of the buddha.

New Year revelers celebrate

in New York’s Times Square. neW year

the passing of one year and

the start of another is celebrated

throughout the world. in Western

countries, new year’s eve is observed

on december 31. people celebrate

the stroke of midnight with toasts and

parties, and many cities hold huge

street celebrations. on new year’s

day ( January 1), many people draw

up lists of resolutions—their wishes

and promises for the upcoming year.

Hispanic Americans hold an

Easter parade in New York.

declaration of independence

King, jr., martin luther

religions

United states, history of

Washington, george

Find out more

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