Lecture 4.ppt

Lecture 4 American Holidays Introduction Like people in any other country in the world, American people celebrate holidays and special occasions throughout the year. Most of the holidays have evolved from the past. There are many special customs associated with them. Just as everyone knows, holidays are time when people get together and have reunion parties with their families friends. Focus Questions What are the major holidays in American? What are the special customs associated with the New Year’s celebrations? What are some of the traditions of the modern American Thanksgiving Day? How do American celebrate Christmas? What are some of the customs associated with Christmas? Major Holidays（1） New Year’s Day (January 1) Martin Luther King Day (the 4th Monday of January) Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12) St. Valentine’s Day (February 14) Washington’s Birthday (February 22) Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Day) (耶稣受难日） Major Holidays（2） Easter Day (复活节：3.21 起第一个满月后的第一个Sunday） Mother’s Day (the 2nd Sunday of May) Memorial Day (the last Monday of May) (阵亡将士纪念日） Flag Day (June 14) (国旗制定纪念日） Father’s Day (3rd Sunday) Independence Day (July 4) （独立纪念日） Major Holidays（3） Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October)(哥伦布纪念日） Halloween (October 31) （万圣节前夕） Veterans Day (4th Monday of October)（ 退伍军人节） All Saints Day (November 1) （万圣节） Thanksgiving Day (last Thursday of November) （感恩节） Christmas Day (December 25) （圣诞节） April Fools Day The History Unlike most of the other non-foolish holidays, the history of April Fools Day, sometimes called All Fools Day, is not totally clear. There really wasnt a first April Fools Day that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring. The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on Ma