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The United States of America is not a very young country: it got its Independence in 1776. The first States were only thirteen and now there are 50 states in the USA. People from different countries come to the USA. They came there with their own customs, beliefs and traditions. Maybe that’s why there are few holidays that are observed all around the States. Every state has its holidays but there are still holidays which are celebrated everywhere in the country. Thanksgiving and Independence day are among them.
Thanksgiving comes on the 4th Thursday of November. It is a real family holiday. On this day people gather in their families. The closest friends can be asked to participate. There is a traditional dinner on this day and people eat traditional food such as roast turkey with dressing and apple or pumpkin pie. People thank God and thank each other for everything they have done for them. After dinner men usually watch a traditional (American) football match on TV that every year on this day is played, and women chat (speak about nothing). The origin of this holiday dates back to 1621 when the first Pilgrims came to the New World. The first year of their staying was very difficult. A lot of people died. Native Americans (Indians) helped them to survive. They brought them food, gave the seeds and taught them to grow new plants. Next year they all gathered and thanked God that helped them to survive on the lands of their new Motherland.
Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July. On this day in 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the famous Declaration of Independence. It is the birthday of the country. Americans are proud of their country, so on this day you can see a lot of national (Stars and Stripes) and State flags floating over the state and private buildings. In many towns parades are organized. People dressed as original founding fathers march in parades to the music. In the evening concerts are organized and people wait for traditional fireworks. The fireworks are really beautiful and they may last for hours. People go on picnics and eat a lot of traditional food: hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecues, potato salad, baked beans, sausages and so on. People organize some funny competitions such as three lagged race, pie or water melon eating. They play baseball and frisbee. This holiday is very popular and it is celebrated all over the country.
St. Valentine’s Day is not a national holiday but it is observed not only in the USA but in many other countries as well. It is a holiday of sweethearts, of those people who love each other. On this holiday people exchange Valentine’s where they write the words of love and respect. Valentine was a Roman priest who was jailed in the 3rd century for marrying young couples. Imperator Claudius thought that single soldiers fight better than married ones, so from his point of view to marry soldiers was a crime. There are some legends about Valentine. One of the legends say, that while in jail he fell in love with the jailor’s blind daughter. He could restore her sight and before his execution he sent her a short message with simple words: “From your Valentine”.
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