American H H h hh Holidays
Let’s start speaking about American holidays with Independence Day. It’s on the fourth of July and considered as the American nation’s birthday. On that day in 1776 the United States of America were established, when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Each American city and town holds its own ceremony – a parade, tours through historic monuments, shows, boat-races and evening fireworks displays. There are also baseball games, water-melon eating contests, folk dancing and lots of lovely music.
Another interesting holiday is Thanksgiving Day, which was first celebrated in 1621 by English settlers of the Plymouth colony. The settlers had left their native England because they had been denied the right to separate from the Established Church. In 1620 they sailed to America on the “Mayflower” ship and landed at place which is now Plymouth, Massachusetts in November. When April came they began their planting, struggling with the rocky soil. When the fields produced a rich harvest, the Governor proclaimed “Day of Thanksgiving”. Since Lincoln’s time it has been the custom for the President of the United States to proclaim annually the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. Table decorations include bright-colored apples, oranges, chestnuts, purple grapes. The central piece is the traditional roast turkey.
Now some words about Valentine’s Day, the sweethearts holiday when people in love express their affection for each other in different ways. The young people can do it through a small gift or a card. Ogden Nash, an American poet wrote: “All you had to do was to take a sheet of paper and draw a heart with an arrow through it carrying the words “I love you” and sign it “Guess who” and shove it under the door of your only beloved and ring the bell and run like a rabbit”.
More than 19 million sentimental Valentine’s cards are sent on every 14th February. They put secret codes on the outside of the envelopes, like SWALK, which means: sealed with a loving kiss; ITALY: I trust and love you; or HOLLAND: hope our love lasts and never dies.
Few holidays tell us as much of the past as Halloween. Its roots date back hundreds of years to the Druid holiday when Lord of Dead gathered up the souls of all those who had died during the year to present them to Druid Heaven on October 31. The Druid New began on November 1, marking the beginning of winter and the reign of Prince of Darkness. Halloween customs today follow the ancient practices: children wear ghost and goblin costumes, masks, witches’ hats, tell ghost stories. The Druids called upon supernatural forces to placate the evil spirits, they lit huge bonfires atop hills to honour the Sun god and sitting around told each other terrible stories.
National symbols
The American flag. It was adopted in 1777. It is often called “The Stars and Stripes”. There are three colours on the flag of the USA red, white and blue. The red colour symbolizes courage, the white – purity, and the blue colour – firmness and justice. As there are 50 states in the United States, there are 50 stars on the flag: one star for each state. The flag has 13 stripes. There are 7 red and 6 white stripes: one stripe for each of the first 13 colonies of the USA.
The National anthem is the song “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The verses were written in 1814 during the war between Britain and America by Francis Scott Key, a lawyer from Baltimore.
National motto: “In God We Trust”.
The Seal of the USA is put on all official documents signed by the President. The seal shows an American eagle with a ribbon in its mouth bearing the Latin phrase “Epluribus unum”, which means: “Many made one”. The eagle is holding an olive branch (the symbol of peace) and 13 arrows ( the symbol of war).
Driving in the USA
Driving a car is the easiest way to travel because you can leave, stop, and go when you want. The highway system in the USA is very developed. The Interstate Highway System allows you to travel across the entire country without stopping for traffic lights. There are rest areas all along the Interstates.
The national speed limit is now 65 miles per hour, but there are local differences. Watch for signs showing the speed limit.
When driving in the U.S. it’s a good idea to have an international driver’s license if you don’t have a state license. Each state has its own traffic laws. For example, in some states you can pump your own gas at “self-serve islands”. In many states you may turn right on red, after stopping at a corner.
Some highways are toll roads which mean you must pay to use the road. American drivers are generally polite: they start and stop slowly, let other cars over. They are very careful at pedestrian crossings. If you see a person trying to cross at a cross walk, you must stop. Americans are usually very careful to obey traffic signs and regulations.
There are very strict laws against drinking just before or while driving a car. In some states it is illegal to have an open can or bottle of alcohol in a car.
Whenever you park in a large city, lock the car and keep your packages out of sight. Car stealing is a big problem in cities.
Quiz How well do you know the United States of America?
1) What countries made early settlements in America?
2) Who was the first American President? When did he become President of the USA?
3) What does the Statue of Liberty in New York harbour commemorate?
4) Describe the flag of the USA.
5) When does the American President take offence and how long does his term last?
6) What is the name given to the official residence of the President of the USA in Washington?
7) What is the national flag of the USA called?
8) On what river is the capital of the USA situated?
9) What is the largest river in the USA?
10) Which is the largest state of the USA?
Which is the smallest one?
11) What animal is a symbol of the US Government?
12) What is the nickname of the US Government?
13) What are the names of the two Houses of the legislative branch of the US Government?
14) When is the day of National Independence of the USA celebrated?
15) What is the name of the first child born in the USA?
16) What was the price the Dutch paid for the Manhattan Island to local Indians?
17) What was the first name of New York?
After whom was it called New York?