Western FestivalsHolidays西方节日和假期.pptVIP

Western Festivals Holidays A Big Difference There are very big differences between a holiday and a festival, and you must know them. Festivals are international, celebrated in all western countries, holidays are national, peculiar to individual countries. Festivals are based on major religious events, holidays are decided by the government of an individual country. For example, Christmas is a Festival, Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Bank Holidays In the UK, the main holidays are known as Bank Holidays, and they all fall on a Monday. (This goes back to the days when banks used to close on Mondays in order to bring their accounts up to date.) There are 4 Bank Holidays: Easter Monday Day after Easter May Day Bank Holiday First Monday in May Spring Bank Holiday Last Monday in May Summer Bank Holiday Last Monday in August* UK: Special Holidays In addition to the Bank Holidays, there are four other special holidays. New Years Day January 1 Good Friday Friday before Easter Christmas Day December 25 Boxing Day December 26 UK: National Holidays England does not have a National day, but Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland celebrate their National Saints Days. Ireland: St. Patricks Day March 17 Wales: St. Davids Day March 1 Scotland: St. Andrews Day November 30 (England: St. Georges Day) April 23 U.S.A. Holidays In the States, national holidays are known as Federal Holidays. These are some the more important. New Years Day January 1 Inauguration Day January 20 every 4 years Washingtons Birthday Third Monday in February Independence Day July 4 Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day December 25 Events not Holidays Two events are often mistaken by Chinese students for holidays, or even festivals. April Fools Day: Goes back to the mediaeval practice of new years day being a day for nonsense when the kings jester was king for a day. Not a holiday since New Years moved to Jan