Holidays in America

Someone asked what holidays/festivals are important to Americans... there are some major holidays that almost everyone celebrates and then there are ones that only some groups of people observe.

Some holidays are connected to religious celebrations, like Christmas or Hanukkah, or Easter or Idul Fitri, so those are particularly important for those in a particular religious community. But holidays like Christmas or Easter also have a secular (non-religious) side to them, and in some ways have become very commercialized (Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny).

Then there are holidays specific to the U.S., like Independence Day (4th of July), Memorial Day, Veterans Day, President's Day, M.L. King Day.

And then there's New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentines Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Labor Day, April Fool's Day, Flag Day, St. Patrick's Day, Columbus Day . . . the list goes on and on.

On certain holidays, schools and offices/businesses are closed. On other days, only federal government offices are closed. It's good to ask about this if you are not sure. For example, one year some students did not come to class on Election Day because in their country Election Day is a true holiday. In most states in the U.S. (like in Michigan) it is not a day off.

Some holidays are fixed, meaning they occur on the same date each year, for example Christmas is always December 25, but Thanksgiving is always the 4th Thursday in November, so the date could change from year to year.

There's a lot to say about each holiday, and there are many more than the ones I've mentioned here. So, ask some specific questions, and I'll answer. What holiday do you want to know more about?