Holidays
There are several national legal holidays in the United States in which government offices, banks, and many businesses are closed:
q New Year's Day, January 1st
q Martin Luther King Day, 3rd Monday in January
q Presidents' Day, 2nd Monday of February
q Easter, dates vary between March and April
q Memorial Day, last Monday in May
q Independence Day, July 4rh
q Labor Day, 1st Monday in September
q Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October
q Veteran's Day, November 11th
q Thanksgiving, 4th Thursday in November
q Christmas, December 25th (Old Dominion University will be closed during the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day).
Not all Americans observe the same holidays, and there are many holidays which are not legal holidays. Also, some holidays are celebrated only by certain religious or cultural groups. Some of the more common U.S. holidays including the ones listed above are:
New Year's Day (January 1st). The big celebration is the night before, New Year's Eve. The new year is often "rung in" with bells and noisemakers. On New Year's Day itself, there are many parades and college football games on the television.*
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (mid-January). This holiday celebrates the birth date of one of the leaders of the American civil rights movement.*
Valentine's Day (February 14). A day to celebrate love. Cards are given to close friends and loved ones.
St. Patrick's Day (March 17). An Irish holiday brought to America by immigrants. The U.S. version of this holiday includes wearing something green, eating corned beef and cabbage, and drinking green beer.
Easter (March or April). Although primarily a Christian holiday, it is widely celebrated in the U.S. This is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. The secular Easter tradition is to dye eggs different colors and give baskets of candy to children.
Passover (March or April). Jewish holiday celebrated in commemoration of the Hebrews' liberation from slavery in Egypt.
Memorial Day (late May). This day is dedicated to the memory of all soldiers who died during wars.*
Independence Day (July 4). The celebration of the day the American Declaration of Independence was signed.*
Labor Day (early September). This day honors the country's working men and women.*
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (September or October). The Jewish New Year and Day of Atonement, respectively, are the High Holy Days in the Jewish religion.
Columbus Day. (mid October) In honor of Christopher Columbus, who discovered the Americas in 1492.
Veteran's Day (November 11th). A day set aside to honor all men and women who served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Halloween (October 31). A day when children (and adults) dress in costumes and have parties. Children go "trick or treating" to homes for candy, and pumpkins are carved into jack o'lanterns.
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November). This holiday dates from America's earliest days, when the Pilgrims had a feast to celebrate their first good harvest and give thanks. Large family dinners are common, with turkey and pumpkin pie; more Americans will travel home for the Thanksgiving holidays than for Christmas.
Hanukkah (late November or early December). An eight-day Jewish holiday marking the re-dedication of the Temple.
Christmas Day (December 25). The celebration of the birth of Christ in the Christian faith. This is also a time when families decorate trees and exchange gifts. The Christmas tradition is that Santa Claus brings gifts to good children.
Your own holidays are important as well, and most Americans would be very interested in hearing about the celebrations and occasions that are important in your culture. If you are in the United States with your own children, and you would like to keep them home from school for a holiday observance, you should notify the school officials ahead of time. Also, if you are observing a holiday that may in some way affect your schooling, you should let your professors know in advance.
