American Holidays

Monday the 18th of Feb 02 was a holiday for some of the offices due to President’s day. Some of my friends wanted to know the reason for this holiday. To assist everyone to understand about the kind of holidays available in US today’s article will focus on American Holidays and Observances.

New Year's Day

On Dec. 31, celebrations across the nation ring in the change of the year at midnight. Elaborate parties, theatrical displays, musical extravaganzas and fireworks are some of the festivities that fill the cities with excitement. On New Year's Day, most people join their families for a day of rest and relaxation, watching football on TV and eating a nice meal. One superstition says that whatever you do on New Year's Day you will do the rest of the year. So don't work, do any chores or pay any bills! Instead, count your blessings, make resolutions for the coming year — losing weight or stopping smoking are common — or play with your children. Look forward to the New Year and to new beginnings. Post offices and government offices are closed. Businesses are closed. Stores may have limited hours.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The third Monday in January, we celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King Jr. King was instrumental in changing the way Americans thought and acted toward black people. He was a strong leader, and a person who believed in peace, justice and freedom for black Americans. His speeches and passionate direction led to new laws that ended the practice of keeping people of different backgrounds apart. Across the nation, we celebrate the legacy of peace and equality that he preached by gathering together to sing songs, march and make speeches. We reaffirm the ideals written in the Declaration of Independence, which King expounded, "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Post offices and government offices are closed. Most businesses and stores are open normal hours.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day has its origins in an old European tradition known as Candlemas Day, a day half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. If the weather was fair on Candlemas, the last half of winter was to be cold and stormy. In the Pennsylvania Dutch area of Pennsylvania, the mix of this folk tradition and the Native American regard for the groundhog — believed to be their ancestral grandfather — became the foundation for today's Groundhog Day. Each Feb. 2, the groundhog pokes his head out of the ground, and if he sees his shadow — it's sunny — there will be six more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy and he doesn't see his shadow, the weather will remain fair through spring. Punxsutawney, Pa., has a large celebration that is usually shown on TV, featuring the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. Most other areas of the nation do not celebrate. Businesses and stores are open normal hours.

Valentine's Day

It is hard to trace the origins of Valentine's Day, but many believe it began as a pagan Roman feast called Lupercalia. This was observed on Feb. 15 and in part had a celebration where boys would pick a young lady's name from a box and the couple would be considered partners for the year. Later, the ancient pagan celebration was Christianized and church officials gave it the name St. Valentine's Day. Stories vary as to who St. Valentine was, but most agree that he was put to death on Feb. 14. Some say he performed a miracle, restoring a blind girl's sight. Others say that when Roman Emperor Claudius forbid marriages, a priest named Valentine married couples in secret. Today, Valentine's Day is a day of romance and love. Flowers, candy and poetic messages of love called valentines are given to sweethearts. Children give candy and simple valentines to their classmates and parents. Many people propose marriage to their loved one on this day. The symbols associated with Valentine's Day relate to love: hearts, red roses, lovebirds and doves, and Cupid. Businesses and stores are open normal hours.

Presidents Day

This holiday is on the third Monday of February and commemorates the birthday of George Washington, Feb. 2, the first U.S. president. Many states also recognize President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, Feb. 12, on this day. The holiday is celebrated on a Monday so a three-day weekend can be enjoyed. Post offices and government offices are closed. Most businesses and stores are open normal hours.

Ash Wednesday

This Christian holiday is the first day of Lent, which lasts 40 days. Ash Wednesday is a day of public penance and is marked in the Catholic Church by the priest smudging ashes in a cross on the forehead of each worshipper. Businesses and stores are open normal hours.

To be continued next week

Till then have a wonderful weekend