Holidays in Great Britain an the USA

There are many holidays in Great Britain. They are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, and Summer Bank Holiday. Public holidays in Britain are called bank holidays, because the banks as well as most of the offices and shops are closed. The most favourite holiday is Christmas. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December and symbolizes the birthday of Christ. This day is marked by setting the fur-tree and decorating it with different toys and candles. Children wait for Santa Claus who comes to every house and brings presents. Going to bed children leave their stockings and shoes to receive presents the next morning. There are a lot of parties organized by people to celebrate this wonderful holiday. Young people like to spend it together in good companies. There are a lot of fun and jokes on that day. Meeting the New Year Eve is held in family in England. Some people in Scotland go outside and meet New Year on squares singing songs or dancing. The first man coming to you after New Year Eve may bring you luck, especially if he comes with a piece of bread and coal. Bread symbolized wealth and coal- warmth. Children like this holiday very much.

The population of the USA is made of people of different nationalities. Centuries ago they brought with them their native celebrations. Some holidays, which are marked in the USA, originated in America. But there are holidays, which are common to all states. They are the New Year Day, Washington Birthday (President’s Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day. There are also many traditional holidays such as St’ Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ Day and Halloween. Perhaps the «two most American holidays» are the 4th of July and Thanksgiving Day. The Independence Day is like a big national party. It takes place through over the country: in neighborhoods, beaches or in parks. Some towns and cities have parades with bands and flags and many politicians try to give a patriotic speech. But what makes this holiday exciting is the atmosphere of enjoyment. Families have beach parties with hot-dogs and hamburgers, volleyball, fireworks and rockets at night. The national birthday is also the nation’s greatest annual summer party. Like X-mas Thanksgiving Day is the day for families to come together. Traditional foods are prepared for the feast — turkey or ham, cranberry sauce and corn dishes, breads and rolls, pumpkin pies.