Celebrations in English Speaking

Countries

JanuaryNew Year’s

DayNew Year’s day has been celebrated since 4241 B.C. The Egyptians had a celebration for the birth of the New Year during the Nile floods in July. In 46 B.C., when the Julian Calendar was established, the Romans proclaimed 1st January as the New Year’s Day. How do people in English speaking countries celebrate it?

Learn about more about New year’s. http://www.history.com/topics/new-years

FebruarySaint Valentine’s

Day

Get more information about Saint Valentine’s Day. http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

Saint Valentine’s Day originated from the Roman festivities in honour of the godess Juno, called Lupercalia. Later on, this festivity was related to two catholic priests called Valentine who were martyrs of Roman executions. It is celebrated on 14th February. What do people do on this date?

MarchSaint Patrick’s

Day

Find out about Saint Patrick’s Day. http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day

Saint Patrick’s Day is observed on 17th March. Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland and it is believed that he died on 17th March between the years 461 and 493. It is said that he used a clover to represent the Holly Trinity. This celebration started in Ireland and in 1737 Irish people living in the USA began to celebrate it in Boston. What does the celebration consist of? Do they have a symbol to identify it?

AprilEaster

Find some information about Easter. http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-easter

Easter commemorates Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension into heaven. Its date of celebration varies according to the vernal equinox. There are different customs and traditions to celebrate this date. What customs and traditions are there in places like England and the USA?

April Fool’s Day

Investigate about April Fool’s Day. http://projectbritain.com/year/aprilfools.html

April Fool’s Day is observed on 1st April. It originated from the Roman festival of Hilaria and the Medival Festival of Fools. It is celebrated in many countries around the world. How do English people celebrate it?

MayMother’s Day

Learn about Mother’s Day. http://projectbritain.com/easter/mothers.htm

Mother’s Day is observed to honor mothers, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. The date varies depending on the country where it is celebrated. In Canada and the USA is observed on the second Sunday of May. This date originated from the Greek cult to Cybele and the Roman festival of Hilaria. How is it celebrated? What does this date derive from in the USA?

Memorial Day

Find out about Memorial Day. http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history

Memorial Day is celebrated in the USA on the last Monday of May. It is a date for honoring all Americans who died defending their country in any of the wars in which the USA was involved. It originated after the American Civil War to commerate the Union soldiers who had died in this war. What do American people do on this date?

JuneFather’s Day

Get more information about Father’s Day. http://www.theholidayspot.com/fathersday/around_the_world.htm

Father’s Day is observed to honor fathers, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. The date varies depending on the country where it is celebrated. In Canada, the USA and the UK is observed on the third Sunday of June and in Australia and New Zealand on the first Sunday of September. This celebration complements Mother’s Day. How is it celebrated?

JulyIndependence

Day

Learn about Independence Day. http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml

Independence Day or 4th July is celebrated in the USA to commerate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, declaring independence from the United Kingdom. What do Americans do on July 4th? What customs and traditions do they have?

August

SeptemberLabor Day

Investigate about Labor Day. http://www.history.com/topics/labor-day

Labor Day is observed to honor the workers on the first Monday of September in the USA. In other countries it is celebrated on 1st May. Why does the USA have a different date for this celebration? What customs and traditions do they have for this date?

OctoberColumbus

Day

Get more information about Columbus Day. http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day

Columbus Day is celebrated in the USA to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America on 12th October, 1492. What celebrations are there in the USA?

Halloween

Recover more information about Halloween. http://www.history.com/topics/halloween

Halloween is observed in England and the USA on the night of October 31st, when it was believed that the spirits of the dead appeared. What do English and American people do to celebrate it?

NovemberGuy Fawkes

Night

Learn more about Guy Fawkes. http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/g/guyfawkesnight.asp

Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated in Britain on November 5th. It commemorates the night when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up Parliament in London in 1605. What do British people do on this day?

Thanksgiving

Find more information about Thanksgiving. http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is observed on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the USA. It is celebrated to thank God for the harvest. How do American and Canadian people celebrate it?

DecemberChristmas

Find out about Christmas. http://www.history.com/topics/christmas

Christmas is celebrated on 25th December and it commemorates the birth of Christ. What customs and traditions do people in English speaking countries have to celebrate it?