美国传统节日The_Traditional_Festival_Of_America.ppt

* The Traditional Festival Of America New Year LincolnsBirthday St.Valentines Day Washingtons Birthday April Fools Day Mothers Day Independence Day Halloween Thanksgiving Day Christmas Happy New Year January 1, the beginning of a new year, as far back in history as we can tell, people have celebrated the start of a new year. The people of ancient Egypt began their new year in summer. That is when the Nile River flooded its banks, bringing water and fertility to the land. The people of ancient Babylonia and Persia began their new year on March 21, the first day of spring. And, some Native American Indians began their new year when the nuts of the oak tree became ripe. That was usually in late summer. Veduchina wish everyone in the world happy new year. Now, almost everyone celebrates New Years Day on January 1. Today, as before, people observe the New Years holiday in many different ways. 　 Like many people all over the world, Americans enjoy celebrating the arrival of each new year. Almost everyone makes an occasion of New Years Eve in order to [1] see the old year out and welcome the new one. In New York, a favorite gathering place on December 31 is New York Citys Times Square. Thousands of Americans and international tourists crowd this famous spot (at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue) and crane their necks [2] to watch for Happy New Year to flash across the electronically controlled sign that moves around. When the moment arrives bedlam breaks forth. Bells ring, whistles blow, people cheer with their happy excitement. 　The custom of visiting friends, relatives and neighbors is one of the popular activities on New Years Day. This activity is called Open House. The custom of Open House was inaugurated by George Washington during his first term as President. On January 1, 1789, President Washington first opened the do