Presidents' Day

Traditionally people celebrated the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States on February 22. February 12, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln was a holiday

in most states.

In the 1970s, Congress declared that in order to honour all the past presidents of the United States, a single holiday, called Presidents' Day, would be observed on the third Monday in February. In many states, however, the holiday is still known as George

Washington's birthday.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a legal holiday that takes place every year on the last Monday in May. It is the day on which Americans honour the dead. Originally it was a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War

and was called Decoration Day. Later it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered. Some places hold parades and others hold memorial

services in cemeteries or at monuments or special programmes in churches, schools and other public places.

Independence Day

Independence Day (fourth of July) is celebrated every year in the US on July 4th. It commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The first Independence

Day was celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This is when the declaration was read aloud. Parades, patriotic speeches, fireworks and pageants are all ways of celebrating today. Many families celebrate the Fourth of July by having picnics and going to the beach. You will also find fireworks being displayed in many towns and cities.

Columbus Day

This day commemorates Christopher Columbus' landing in the New World on October 12, 1492. It takes place on the second Monday in October. The major celebration of the day is held in New York City, which holds a huge parade each year.

Veterans' Day

This holiday honours the veterans of all the wars in which the United States has fought. It was established to honour those Americans who had served in World War I. Originally it was called Armistice Day. It falls on November 11 when the war ended in 1918. Veterans' organizations hold parades or other special ceremonies, and the president places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.