JĘZYK ANGIELSKI: kalendarium

Święta

w Stanach Zjednoczonych

i Zjednoczonym Królestwie

The major federal, religious, traditional, and informal holidays

celebrated in the United States

YEAR 2014

January

1st January New Year’s Day

A federal holiday in the USA. It is the first day of the Gregorian calendar

year. It is a day of parades, sporting events and new years resolutions.

6th January Epiphany

Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi or wise men to the baby Jesus.

10th January Save the Eagles Day

It is commemorated to save the eagles ( American national symbol ) from extinction.

17th January Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday

This day is to celebrate the birthday of Benjamin Franklin.

20th January Martin Luther King Day

It is celebrated on the third Monday in January. A federal holiday that honors the late civil rights leader. It became a federal holiday in 1986.

31st January Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is the first day of the Chinese ( Lunar ) calendar. Celabrated by Chinese people around the world, it is a major holiday where friends and families gather for dinner and celebration.

Date: the second new moon after Winter Solstice ( January / February )

Zodiac Animal: HORSE

Chinese Year: 4711

February

2nd February Groundhog Day

It is a part of popular culture among many Americans and it centers on the idea of the groundhog coming out its home to ‘predict’ the weather. If the groundhog sees a shadow, there will be 42 more days of winter.

2nd February Candlemas

It is a traditional Christian festival commemorating the ritual purification of Mary 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

8 th February Boy Scout Day

It celebrates the birthday of Scouting in America. It was on February 8th, 1910 when William Dickson Boyce filed incorporation papers in the District of Columbia and created the Boy Scouts of America.

14th February Valentine’s Day

It is a festival of romantic love. Common symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts, red roses and Cupid.

17th February President’s Day

This Federal holiday is formally called ‘Washington’s Birthday’ and is celebrated on the third Monday in February. However, it is a common practice to celebrate the birthdays of both Presidents: Lincoln ( 12th Feb )

and Washington ( 22nd Feb ).

March

4th March Fat Tuesday ( Mardi Gras )

It is a celebration that is held just before the season of Lent. It is the day before Ash Wednesday.

5th March Ash Wednesday

It begins the season of Lent, the 40 days ( not counting Sundays ) of fasting and repentance and preparation for the celebration of Easter.

9th March Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time, also known as ‘Summer Time’, begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November ( but not in Arizona and Hawaii ). The clock goes forward one hour at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March ( Spring forward ), and back to normal time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November ( Fall back ).

17th March St Patrick’s Day

It is the national holiday of Ireland and celebrated by people with Irish backgrounds. Many people wear green clothes and other items on this day.

20th March First Day of Spring

In the United States and the rest of the northern hemisphere, the first day of the spring season is the day of the year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward. This day is known as the Vernal Equinox.

April

1st April April Fool’s Day

This is not really a holiday. People play lighthearted tricks on each other during this day.

13th April Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It is the sixth and last Sunday in Lent, and the first day of Holy Week. It commemorates the time when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and people waved palm branches and cheered Him as the coming King.

14th April Holy Monday

It commemorates Jesus’ cleansing of the temple, when he committed aggravated assaulted against money changers and other commercial interests who had tables within the Temple.

15th April Holy Tuesday

It recalls Jesus’ description to his disciples on the Mount of Olives of the destruction of Jerusalem.

15th April Passover

The ‘first month’ of the Jewish calendar is the month of Nissan, in the spring, when Passover occurs. It celebrates the survival of the Jews in Egipt. Jews celebrate it with a special ritual dinner called ‘Seder’.

15th April Tax Day

Many United States residents mark Tax Day as the deadline to file their income tax details to the IRS. The date is usually on or around April 15. However, this deadline may be extended to accommodate holidays or extreme weather conditions.

16th April Holy Wednesday

Holy Wednesday ( once called Spy Wednesday ) recalls Judas’ decision to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver.

17th April Maundy Thursday
It commemorates the Last Supper, Jesus agony in the garden and his arrest.

18th April Good Friday

It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

19th April Holy Saturday

It is the final day of Holy Week and of Lent.

20th April Easter

Easter Day is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs next after the vernal equinox.It is a religious holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death by crucifixion some 2000 years ago. Many people also decorate eggs. It is also common to organize Easter egg hunts. It is not a federal holiday but a numer of stores are closed.

21st April Easter Monday

It is not a federal holiday. Some Easter traditions continue on the Easter Monday, such as the egg rolling race at the White House. There is a big race held on the lawn of the White House in Washington DC. Sometimes even the President takes part in the ‘White House Easter Egg Roll’.

22nd April Earth Day

It is celebrated internationally on the first day of spring in March but in

the USA and several other countries it is primarily celebrated on April 22nd of each year. It is a global holiday celebrated as a day to bring awareness and appreciation for the Earth and its environment.

23rd April Administrative Professionals Day / Week

Administrative Professionals Week is always the last full week of April, with Wednesday of that week being designated Administrative aprofessionals Day. Praviously known as Secretary’s Day, it is celebrated to recognize and show appreciation of the work of administrative employees.

25th April Arbor Day

National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. It is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care.

May

1st May May Day

In the past it was a time when people celebrated the start of spring with games and dances. In the US, young children often dance around a Maypole, and leave small baskets of flowers at a friend’s door to be found on May Day morning. It is a celebration of spring as well as a day honoring organized labor.

5th May Cinco de Mayo

It is a celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over France during the Franco – Mexican War. The battle was fought at Puebla and it was a turning point in Mexico’s struggle for independence. Ironically, it is a holiday that is in fact more beloved by Americans than by Mexicans.

6th May National Teachers’ Day

It is part of a week – long celebration honoring teachers. It is celebrated on the first Tuesday in May during the first full week in May. On Teacher Day, be sure to honor the special teachers in your life for the hard work they do each day.

11th May Mother’s Day

It is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It is a day to honor mothers. It is a day to show thanks for all that mothers do.

12th May Nurses Day

Nurses week begins on the 6th and ends on the 12th ( Florence Nightingale’s birthday ) which has been designed as International Nurses Day.

17th May Armed Forces Day

It is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. It is a day to recognize and honor the military forces in the nation. Armed Forces Day is a day to recognize members of the Armed Forces that are currently serving.

19th May Victoria Day

Victoria Day is a Canadian holiday celebrated on the first Monday on or before May 24th ( Queen Victoria birthday ). It is celebrated with fireworks and marks the unofficial start of the summer season in Canada when many seasonal businesses and parks open.

22nd May National Maritime Day

It is a day for the US to observe its proud maritime heritage and honor the men and women who serve and have served as merchant mariners.

26th May Memorial Day

It is a federal holiday which is observed on the fourth Monday in May.It is a holiday to honor the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country.

June

14th June Flag Day

The flag is one of the nations’ most powerful and significant symbols, and as such, is celebrated every June 14 in the USA. It i san American holiday celebrating and showing respect to the flag and the people who designes and created it. This flag represents their independence as Americans and their unity as a nation.

15th June Father’s Day

It is recognized on the third Sunday in June. On these days, American children show their appreciation by treating fathers, mothers, or those who have served as parental figures in their lives, to sth special.

19th June Juneteenth also called Freedom Day

It is the oldest celebration in the nation to commemorate the end of slavery in the USA.

July

4^th July Independence Day

It is a federal holiday. The USA declared its independence from Great Britain on July 4^th, 1776. It is a very important day in the history of the USA.

It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks.

27^th July Parents’ Day

It is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July. It is an American holiday celebrating parents who provide for strong families to make a strong America.

August

3rd August Friendship Day

It is recognized on the first Sunday in August. On this day, people spend time with a friend they would like to honor as a good friend.

15th August Assumption Day

It is a Christian holiday commemorating the Virgin Mary being taken up into heaven.

26th August Women’s Equality Day

It is observed to remember the day women gained the right to equality.

September

1^st September Labor Day

7^th September Grandparents Day

It is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in September. A day dedicated to celebrating grandparents. Many families gather together

to have picnics or dinner.

11^th September Patriot Day

September 11^th, 2001 was a defining moment in American history. On that day, terrorists hijacked 4 commercial aerliners to strike targets in the USA. Nearly 3,000 people died as a consequence of the attacks. Patriot Day is observed in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of

the terrorist attacks. Americans should display their flags at Half – Staff.

17^th September Constitution Day

Constitution Day is also known as Citizenship Day. It is celebrated in honor and remembrance of the signing of the USA Constitution ( September 17^th,

1787 ) and in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

21^st September International Day of Peace

It is a day where individuals around the world unite in a worldwide movement to create a Global Ceasefire and a day of peace and nonviolence.

WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO PEACE

23^rdSeptember First Day of Autumn

Day when night and day are of equal length.

October

8^th October National Children’s Day

It is a day to celebrate our appreciation for children and to be reminded how precious they are.

13^th October Columbus Day

It is a federal holiday which is observed on the second Monday in October. The day commemorates October 12^th, 1492, when Italian navigator Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. The holiday was first proclaimed in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

16^th October National Boss Day

It is an observance day to show appreciation to a boss, manager, supervisor. This is a great day to treat your boss to a special lunch, a gift basket, flowers, or just give them a note of ‘thanks’.

18^th October Sweetest Day

It is celebrated on the third Saturday in October. A day for spreading joy and happiness to those who are in need.

27^th October Navy Day

A day to celebrate the United States Navy.

31st October Halloween

It is not a holiday, but rather a festival. After it gets dark, children walk through neighborhoods asking for candy. They are often dressed in scary costumes, such as a witch or a ghost, or costumes like fairies, cartoon characters. On this night, children shout ‘trick – or – treat!’ It means that if candy is not given to them, the adult will be subject to a trick or prank. However, saying this is more a formality. In practice, no one refuses to give candy and children don’t generally play tricks. You will also see pumpkins outside people’s houses.

November

1st November All Saints’ Day

It is a feast honoring all of the saints both known and unknown. It is also called All Hallows Day.

2nd November All Souls’ Day

The celebration is also called Day of the Dead. It is dedicated to prayers for the dead. It is a day of prayer for deceased souls. Many Christians visit cemeteries where their loved ones are buried.

2nd November Daylight Saving Time

We set clocks back one hour.

11th November Veterans Day

It honors the veterans who fought for America in various wars. Originally called Armistice Day, it was established to honor Americans who had served in World War I. It falls on November 11, the day when that war ended in 1918, but now it honors veterans of all wars in which the USA has fought.

20th November Great American Smokeout

The Great American Smokeout is an informal holiday promoted by the American Cancer Society on the third Thursday of November each year. Smokers are encouraged to make a plan to quit, even if for one day.

27th November Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a federal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. It is traditionally a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal. The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie and vegetables. It is a time for many people to give thanks for what they have.

28th November Black Friday

It is after Thanksgiving Day. It is the day of the biggest sales. It is the official start of the Christmas shopping season.

30th November First Sunday of Advent

Advent is the season in which the faithful must prepare themselves for the coming of the Savior on Christmas. The four Sundays before Christmas are marked by special church services.

December

1st December World Aids Day

It is a day to increase awareness and education and remind the world that HIV still exists and much more needs to be done.

7th December Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

It is a day to remember and honor all those who died as a result of their service at Harbor Day. December 7, 1941 is the date America was attacked making the day America entered into World War II. It is a tradition to fly the US Flag at half-staff until sunset.

10th December Human Rights Day

It is celebrated in honor of the enunciation of human rights.

17th December Wright Brothers Day

It commemorates the first flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright

on December 17, 1903

25th December Christmas

It is a federal holiday. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. This is the biggest festival of the year. Many houses are decorated with Christmas lights. Children believe that if they set out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will leave gifts for them under the Christmas tree.

opracowała Beata Chołuj

The bank, local, Christian and observance holidays

celebrated in the United Kingdom

YEAR 2015

January

1^st January New Year’s Day

On New Year’s Eve ( 31 December ), it is traditional to celebrate midnight with your friends or family and to sing ‘Auld lang syne’, a folk song with words by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The party can last well into New Year’s Day. Many people make ‘New Year’s resolutions’, promising to achieve a goal or break a bad habit in the coming year.

2^nd January New Year Holiday

In Scotland, the celebration of the New Year is called Hogmanay and may last into January 2, an annual bank holiday. In Scotland, it is the second New Year’s Day to allow everyone recover from January 1.

5^th January Twelfth Night

Evening before Epiphany. Twelfth Night marks the end of the medieval Christmas festivities and the end of Twelfthtide ( the 12-day season after Christmas ending with Epiphany). Also called Twelfth Day Eve.

6^th January Epiphany or Twelfth Day

Also known as Old Christmas Day and Twelfthtide. On the twelfth day after Christmas, Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi or wise men to the baby Jesus.

25^th January Burns’ Night ( Scotland )

Many Scottish people hold a special supper ( dinner ) on Burns’ Night,

a celebration of Robert Burns, with toasts and reading of his poetry. Men might wear kilts, there may be bagpipe music, and people will almost certainly eat haggis ( the traditional Scottish dish of sheeps’ heart, liver and lungs ) with neeps ( turnips ) and tatties ( potatoes ).

February

2^nd February Candlemas Day

It is the Christian festival of lights that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of Her son Jesus.

14^th February Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air! Historically the Feast of St Valentine, nowadays this is

a celebration of romance. Many people in the UK go out for dinner with

their sweethearts, and give them a Valentine’s card, chocolate or flowers.

If you’re single, you might receive an anonymous card from a ‘secret

admirer’.

17^th February Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday or ‘Pancake Day’ is the day before Lent ( the traditional Christian period of fasting, which lasts for 40 days ), when households

would traditionally use up their eggs, milk and sugar by making pancakes.

Nowadays, even if they are not religious, many people still make and eat pancakes on this day. Some towns in the UK also hold ‘pancake races’, where contestants toss pancakes in a frying pan while running for the finish line.

18^th February Ash Wednesday

It is the first day of Lent and is named after the Christian practice of putting ashes in the sign of the cross on the foreheads. Some Christians may attend special church services.

19^th February Chinese New Year

Outside Asia, the world’s biggest celebration of Chinese New Year is in London – each year there is a parade through Chinatown in the West End, with free performances of music, dance and acrobatics, a feast of food and fireworks.

March

1st March St David’s Day

St David is the patron saint of Wales. March 1 is a day of celebration of both

St David’s life and of the Welsh culture. The traditional meal on St David’s Day is cawl. This is a soup that is made of seasonal vegetables and lamb or bacon. Events are held across Wales, including a large parade in Cardiff.

15^th March Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate motherhood, and

to thank mothers for everything they do throughout the year. Many people give their mothers a card of gift, treat them to a day out or cook a meal. It is held on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

17^th March St Patrick’s Day

The Feast of St Patrick is a national holiday in Ireland, and is now celebrated by Irish communities all around the world. Many people go out with friends, wearing green or a shamrock symbol ( the lucky clover ) and drinking Guinness, the Irish dark beer.

20^th March March equinox

Astronomically speaking, the March equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator on its way north along the ecliptic. In the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox is known as the vernal, or spring, equinox, and marks the start of the spring season. The March equinox happens at the same moment across the world but is converted to local time.

29^th March Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. It marks the beginning of Holy Week and always falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. Other names for this day include Passion Sunday, Fig Sunday, Willow Sunday, Branch Sunday or Blossom Sunday.

29^th March Daylight Saving Time starts

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a way of making better use of the natural daylight by setting your clock forward one hour during the summer months, and back again in the fall. To remember which way to set your watch, keep in mind “spring forward, fall back’’. You set your clock forward in the spring when DST starts (= lose one hour), and back one hour when DST ends in the fall (= regain one hour).

April

1^st April April Fool’s Day

For one day of the year, it is acceptable – even encouraged! – to play tricks, pranks and practical jokes. Even newspapers, TV and radio shows often feature fake stories on April 1. It’s customary to reveal the joke by saying ‘April fool!’

2^nd April Maundy Thursday

It is a Christian observance also known as Holy Thursday. It commemorates Jesus Christ Last Supper and the initiation of the Eucharist, which is observed in many Christian churches. The Queen takes part in the Ceremony of the Royal Maundy. This involves the distribution of Maundy Money to deserving senior citizens. She gives little purses of money to a few chosen men and women. The coins are special little silver pennies which are made especially for the occasion. The ceremony is often held at Westminster Abbey in London.

3^rd April Good Friday

It is celebrated as a bank holiday, when people do not go to work. It commemorates the crucifixion ( death on a cross )of Jesus Christ. Some people attend a special church service. For others, it is a day off work in the spring. Many Catholics do not eat meat on Good Friday. People eat the so called hot cross buns

( sweet buns which have a cross shape on the top ).

4^th April Holy Saturday

It is also known as Easter Eve and often wrongly Easter Saturday. It commemorates the day when Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after his death.

5^th April Easter Sunday

It is a Christian holiday about Jesus Christ’s resurrection ( return to life ).

The Easter date is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox. Many families gather together at dinner and organize egg hunts. Children have a lot of fun looking for dyed eggs hidden in the house and in the garden. Many children believe that the Easter bunny or rabbit comes to their house or garden to hide eggs.

6^th April Easter Monday

It is a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but not Scotland. In some areas ‘egg rolling’ is still popular today. People take the eggs to the top of

a hill and roll them down. The first egg to get to the foot of that hill is the winner.

23^rd April St George’s Day

St George is the patron saint of England. It is England’s national day. It is the day for a red rose in the button hole, the national flower. It is now an observance that is celebrated with parades, dancing and other activities. Flags with the image of St George’s cross are flown on some buildings. It is said that St George once saved a village from great danger killing the dragon.

May

1^stMay May Day

The first day of the month May is known as May Day. It is the time of year when warmer weather begins and flowers and trees start to blossom. It is said to be a time of love and romance. It is when people celebrate the coming of summer with lots of different customs that are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter.

This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement. The holiday may also be known as Labour Day or International Worker’s Day. 1^st May is celebrated as May Day in most countries around the world. But in the UK it is observed on the first Monday of May.

4^th May Early May Bank Holiday

The first Monday of May is a bank holiday when people have day off work or school and spend some time outdoors enjoying the spring sunshine. Celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen and dancing around a Maypole.

8^th May Victory in Europe Day

Three days of festivities are being planned across the UK to mark the anniversary on 8 May, 70 years after the end of the Second World War in Europe following the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. Events will range from a parade, a service of thanksgiving and a star-studded concert in central London, to street parties around the UK.

14^th May Ascension Day

It is observed in the UK on the 40^th day of Easter. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, according to the New Testament of the Bible. Some Christians attend church services to celebrate this event.

24^th May Pentecost

It is a Christian observance commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus Christ’s disciples. Many Christians in the UK celebrate Pentecost, which is also known as Whit Sunday. The dove is a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit.

25th May Spring Bank Holiday

It is a pleasant day off work or school. Some people choose to take a short trip or vacation. Others use the time to walk in the country, catch up with family and friends, visit garden centres.

25^th May Whit Monday

Many Christians observe Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday by remembering the Holy Spirit’s descent on Jesus Christ’s disciples, as told in the Christian Bible. Church events may include evening services and bible group meeting. Whit Monday was once a bank holiday.

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4^thJune          Corpus Christi

It is celebrated by Christians on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. ‘Corpus Christi’ is a Latin phrase that means ‘ body of Christ ‘. At Corpus Christi Christians celebrate the Eucharist ( Holy Communion ) when they take consecrated bread and wine, which stand for the body and blood of Christ.

13^th June          The Queen’s Official Birthday

The Sovereign’s birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour on Saturday in June. Although the Queen’s real birthday is on the 12^th April, it has been a tradition since 1748 to celebrate the king or queen’s birthday in June. A military parade known as Trooping the Colour is held in London, attended by the Royal Family.

21^st June          Father’s Day

It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is a day to show appreciation to fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and fathers-in-law. Many people in the UK give their father a card or gift, have a meal together or go out for drink.

21^st June          Summer Solstice

At Summer Solstice Pagans celebrate Midsummer, which means ‘standing still of the sun ‘. It’s the longest day of the year. The ancient monument of Stonehenge in Wiltshire has its true moment in the sun as people celebrate the longest day and shortest night of the year. Stand inside the monument facing northeast, toward a stone outside the circle called the Heel Stone, and you’ll see the sun rise like a blazing fire – a sight that brings in pagans the sun – lovers of all beliefs!

29^th June            Wimbledon Tennis Championships

29^th June to 12^th July Wimbledon, the world’s oldest tennis tournament, is a summer highlight for sports fans. Held at the All England Club in London since 1877, Wimbledon is known for the tennis players’ white dress code and the tradition for spectators to eat strawberries and cream.

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13^th July          The Battle of the Boyne

People in Northern Ireland have a bank holiday to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne, which occurred on Ireland’s east coast in 1690. It’s also known as ‘Orangemen’s Day’, ‘Orange Day’, ‘the Glorious Twelfth’, or just ‘the Twelfth’. It normally falls on July 12 but if that date is on Saturday or Sunday, the bank holiday falls on Monday. Protestant Irish march with drums and pipes. Schools and many businesses and organizations are closed. Men wear orange sashes and black suits and bowler hats.

15^th July          St Swithin’s Day

Saint Swithin was England’s Bishop of Winchester. It’s a day on which people watch the weather for tradition says that whatever the weather is like on St Swithin’s Day, it will continue so far the next 40 days. The myth of it states that if it rains on July 15, wet weather will persist for another 40 days and 40 nights.

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3^rd August Summer Bank Holiday

It is celebrated on the first Monday of August in Scotland. It has no special significance expect to give citizens an opportunity for a long weekend before autumn begins. People spend the day in parks and on the seaside to catch the last of the summer sun.

15^th August Assumption of Mary

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also known as Assumption Day and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. It marks the day that God assumed the Virgin Mary into heaven following her death, according to popular Christian belief. It isn’t a public holiday in the UK.

31^st Autumn Summer Bank Holiday

It is celebrated on the last Monday of August in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. It marks the end of the summer. Some people take trips or short vacations during the three day weekend.

The Notting Hill Carnival

In West London, one of the key Summer Bank Holiday events is the annual Notting Hill Carnival. It is the biggest street festival in Europe and hosts one million visitors each year. It has been held since 1965.

September

23^rd September First Day of Autumn

This day is known as the autumnal equinox. The sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world.

October

4^th October Feast of St Francis of Assisi

Many churches in the UK celebrate the Feast of St Francis to honor St Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment. It is a popular day for pets to be ‘blessed’.

21^st October Trafalgar Day

The Battle of Trafalgar was fought on the 21^st October, 1805. Once a year, Britain celebrates one of its most important military victories in history. Lord Nelson defeated the combined navies of France and Spain at the battle of Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coasts. The commemoration ceremonies take place in Trafalgar Square starting with a parade lead by the Sea Cadet Corps, which is then followed by an audio visual presentation about the battle.

25^th October Daylight Saving Time Ends

British Summer Time Ends. It is also called Fall Back and winter time. Clocks are set 1 hour back in the fall.

31^st October Halloween

Halloween is a holiday annually celebrated on October 31. Some people hold Halloween parties where the hosts and guests often dress up as skeletons, ghosts or other scary figures. Common symbols of Halloween include pumpkins, bats, black cats, witches, wizards, ghosts etc. Some people gather together to watch horror films, either at home or at a cinema. Some children go trick-or-treating. This means that they dress up and go to other people’s houses, knocking on the door for treat of sweets or a snack. It has its origin in pagan festivals in the UK.

November

1^st November All Saint’s Day

Christian day for honoring saints, known and unknown. On that day Christians remember all ‘men of good will, who have died through the ages’.

2^nd November All Souls’ Day

Christian day of prayers of intercession for the dead. On that day Christians remember all those who have died. Families visit graves with bunches of flowers and in church the names of the dead may be read out on request.

5th November Guy Fawkes Day

It isn’t a public holiday. It is sometimes known as Bonfire Night and marks the anniversary of the discovery of a plot organized by Catholic conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in 1605. Many people light bonfires, let off fireworks and burn an effigy ( a homemade model of a man, like a scarecrow ).

8^th November Remembrance Sunday

It is held on the second Sunday in November, which is usually the Sunday nearest to 11 November. Special services are held at war memorials and churches all over Britain. A national ceremony takes place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall ( a road in the City of Westminster in central London ). The Queen, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries lay wreaths at the Cenotaph to commemorate those who gave their lives during wars and conflicts, including World War I. People wear poppies as a symbol of respect.

11^th November Remembrance Day

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11^th November 1918, to signal the end of World War I. A two minute silence is held at 11am to remember the people who have died in wars. 11November is also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day.

14^th November Lord Mayor’s Show

It is observed on the second Saturday in November. The first Lord Mayor’s Show was held in 1215. This year’s events marked the 800^th anniversary of the role of lord mayor of the City of London and put a signature to the Magna Carta.

Every year the Lord Mayor must leave the safety of the City ( population: 15,000 ), travel upriver to Westminster and swear loyalty to the crown. Through the years the Lord Mayor has made that journey 800 times and pledged loyalty to 34 kings and queens.

In 2015, the Lord Mayor’s Show went ahead in London with flags at half mast, firework cancelled and a two-minute silence following the attacks in Paris. ‘It is time for a show of solidarity with the victims of an atrocious terrorist attack and not a time for celebrations’. Instead, Tower Bridge and other sights were lit up in the red, white and blue, the colours of the French flag.

29^th November First Sunday of Advent

This date marks the start of the liturgical or church year. It marks the start of the Christmas season for many people in the UK. The symbols of advent are wreaths

( four candles with leaves and twigs from evergreen trees and plants ).

30^th November St Andrew’s Day

It is a bank holiday in Scotland. If 30 November is on Saturday or Sunday, the bank holiday falls on the following Monday. St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. There are many events across Scotland, including traditional meals, poetry reading, bagpipe music and country dancing. The Scottish flags are flown on public buildings.

December

3^rd December Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

Since 1947, each year a Christmas tree has been given to the people of London from the people of Norway in gratitude for Britain’s support for Norway during World War II. For many Londoners the Christmas tree and carol singing in Trafalgar Square signal the countdown to Christmas. The Christmas tree is shipped over from Norway to England. The Christmas tree is always lit in the evening on the first Thursday in December and remains lit till the night of January 6 the following year.

The Christmas tree is usually about 20 feet high and about 50-60 years old. It is decorated in the Norwegian way and has about 500 lights. It is lit by the Mayor of Oslo, Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Norwegian Ambassador at 6pm on December 3 in London’s living room, Trafalgar Square. The Salvation Army and St Martin-in-the-Fields choir sings carols.

Carols are sung beneath the Christmas tree for four hours every day from Dec 6 until Dec 23, with more than 50 carol groups taking part. Performances take place from 4pm-8pm on weekdays and 2pm-6pm on weekends.

5^th December Great Christmas Pudding Race

The 35th Great Christmas Pudding Race takes place on 5th December 2015.

Teams dressed in fancy clothes race around an obstacle course without dropping the pudding in Covent Garden. The event is organised by CRAC on behalf of Cancer Research UK and supported by Fox’s and Covent Garden Market.

22^nd December December Solstice

It is called Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere ( North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Northern Africa ), where it is the shortest day of the year.

24^th December Christmas Eve

It is the Day before Christmas Day. It is not a public holiday in the UK but it is a day of preparations for the Christmas season. Some families put up their Christmas tree and other seasonal decorations. People may attend a church service, often called midnight mass. In addition, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is broadcast on radio throughout the UK and across the world from King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. Many families end Christmas Eve by hanging Christmas stocking up. Children hope that a mythical figure, called Father Christmas or Santa Claus, will visit the house during the night. He enters homes by climbing down the chimney and if he thinks that the children have been well-behaved all year, fills the stockings with presents, gifts and sweets. On Christmas Eve schools are closed and many people have a day off work or leave earlier than usual.

25^th December Christmas Day

It traditionally celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth. Christmas is a time for many people to give and receive gifts and prepare special festive meals. Many people spend Christmas Day with family members, with whom they exchange gifts and cards. Many children wake up to find a sock or stocking filled with small gifts on their bed or somewhere else in the house.

26^th December Boxing Day

Traditionally, it was a day when employers distributed money, food, cloth

( material ) or other valuable goods to their employees. In modern times it is an important day for sporting events and the start of the post-Christmas sales.

28^th December Bank Holiday

If Boxing Day falls on Saturday, the following Monday is a substitute bank holiday. If Christmas Day falls on Saturday, the following Monday and Tuesday are substitute bank holidays. The bank holiday is a time for many people to relax and enjoy a day off from work.

31^st December New Year’s Eve

It is known as Hogmanay in Scotland and New Year’s Eve in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the last day of the year. Peoples have the New Year’s Eve parties which begin in the late afternoon or evening. At midnight, people often hug and kiss each other, even strangers, and many start singing Auld Lang Syne. In Scotland, the Hogmanay celebrations may last for one or two more days, as both January 1 and 2 are bank holidays. In the rest of the UK, only January 1 is a bank holiday.

opracowała Beata Chołuj

The major federal, religious, traditional, and informal holidays

celebrated in the United States

YEAR 2016

January

1st January New Year’s Day

A federal holiday in the USA. It is the first day of the Gregorian calendar

year. It is a day of parades, sporting events and new year’s resolutions.

6th January Epiphany

It is commonly known as Three King’s Day. Christians celebrate the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus.

10th January Save the Eagles Day

It is observed annually on 10^th January. It is commemorated to save the eagles

( American national symbol ) from extinction.

18th January Martin Luther King Day

It is celebrated on the third Monday in January. A federal holiday that honors the late civil rights leader. It became a federal holiday in 1986.

February

2nd February Groundhog Day

2nd February Candlemas

It is a traditional Christian festival commemorating the ritual purification of Mary 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

8^th February Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is the first day of the Chinese ( Lunar ) calendar. Celebrated by Chinese people around the world, it is a major holiday where friends and families gather for dinner and celebration.

Date: the second new moon after Winter Solstice ( January / February )

Zodiac Animal: MONKEY

Chinese Year: 4713

8 th February Boy Scout Day

9^th February Fat Tuesday ( Mardi Gras )

It is a celebration that is held just before the season of Lent. It is the day before Ash Wednesday.

10^th February Ash Wednesday

It begins the season of Lent, the 40 days ( not counting Sundays ) of fasting and repentance and preparation for the celebration of Easter.

14th February Valentine’s Day

It is a festival of romantic love. Common symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts, red roses and Cupid.

15th February President’s Day

and Washington ( 22nd Feb ).

March

13th March Daylight Saving Time

17th March St Patrick’s Day

It is the national holiday of Ireland and celebrated by people with Irish backgrounds. Many people wear green clothes and other items on this day.

20th March First Day of Spring

20^th March Palm Sunday

21^st March Holy Monday

It commemorates Jesus’ cleansing of the temple, when he committed aggravated assaulted against money changers and other commercial interests who had tables within the Temple.

22^nd March Holy Tuesday

It recalls Jesus’ description to his disciples on the Mount of Olives of the destruction of Jerusalem.

23^rd March Holy Wednesday

Holy Wednesday ( once called Spy Wednesday ) recalls Judas’ decision to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver.

24^th March Maundy Thursday

It commemorates the Last Supper, Jesus agony in the garden and his arrest.

25^th March Good Friday

It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

26^th March Holy Saturday

It is the final day of Holy Week and of Lent.

27^th March Easter

28^th March Easter Monday

April

1st April April Fool’s Day

Today Americans play small tricks on friends and strangers. One common trick is pointing down to a friend’s shoe and saying, ‘Your shoelace is untied’. School children might tell a classmate that school has been canceled. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke the prankster yells, ‘April Fool!’

15th April Tax Day

22nd April Earth Day

It is celebrated internationally on the first day of spring in March but in

29th April Arbor Day

National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. It is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care.

May

1st May May Day

3th May National Teachers’ Day

8th May Mother’s Day

It is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It is a day to honor mothers. It is a day to show thanks for all that mothers do.

12th May Nurses Day

Nurses week begins on the 6th and ends on the 12th ( Florence Nightingale’s birthday ) which has been designed as International Nurses Day.

21th May Armed Forces Day

22nd May National Maritime Day

It is a day for the US to observe its proud maritime heritage and honor the men and women who serve and have served as merchant mariners.

23th May Victoria Day

30th May Memorial Day

It is a federal holiday which is observed on the fourth Monday in May.It is a holiday to honor the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country.

June

14th June Flag Day

15th June Father’s Day

19th June Juneteenth also called Freedom Day

It is the oldest celebration in the nation to commemorate the end of slavery in the USA.

July

4^th July Independence Day

Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4 and is often known as "the Fourth of July". It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States. Many people display the American flag outside their homes or buildings. Many communities arrange fireworks that are often accompanied by patriotic music. The most impressive fireworks are shown on television. Some employees use one or more of their vacation days to create a long weekend so that they can escape the heat at their favorite beach or vacation spot.

24^th July Parents’ Day

It is an American holiday celebrating parents who provide for strong families to make a strong America.

Parents’ Day is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Sunday of July each year to recognize and promote parenting as a crucial part of families and the wider community. Parents’ Day is a popular time for people to send cards and gifts, including flowers, cakes and food hampers, to those who play an important role as a positive parental figure in their lives. It is also a time for families to come together for lunches or dinners.

August

7th August Friendship Day

It is recognized on the first Sunday in August. On this day, people spend time with a friend they would like to honor as a good friend.

15th August Assumption Day

Assumption Day is a Christian observance in the United States that is held annually on August 15. Catholics observe the Dormition (falling asleep) or the day that the Blessed Virgin Mary was received into heaven.

26th August Women’s Equality Day

It is observed to remember the day women gained the right to equality.

September

5th September Labor Day

It is a federal holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. Labor Day commemorates the American working tradition. Many people travel on this long weekend. It is generally the last holiday before it gets cold in most parts of the country. Many stories have large sales during this weekend. It is a day of rest for the workers. In some neighborhoods, people organize fireworks displays, barbecues and public arts or sports events. The American football season starts on or around Labor Day and many teams play their first game of the season during Labor Day weekend.

11^th September Grandparents Day

It is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in September. A day dedicated to celebrating grandparents. Many families gather together

to have picnics or dinner.

11^th September Patriot Day

Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11. It is held in memory of nearly 3000 people who died during terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

On the direction of the President, the flag of the United States of America should be displayed on the homes of Americans, the White House and all United States government buildings in the whole world. The flag should be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect to those who died on September 11, 2001. Many people observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM (Eastern Daylight Time). This marks the time that the first plane flew into the World Trade Center. Some communities, particularly in the areas directly affected by the attacks, hold special church services or prayer meetings. People who personally experienced the events in 2001 or lost loved ones in them, may lay flowers or visit memorials.

17^th September Constitution Day

Constitution Day is also known as Citizenship Day. It is celebrated in honor and remembrance of the signing of the USA Constitution ( September 17^th,

1787 ) and in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

21^st September International Day of Peace

It is a day where individuals around the world unite in a worldwide movement to create a Global Ceasefire and a day of peace and nonviolence.

WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO PEACE

22^rdSeptember First Day of Autumn

Day when night and day are of equal length.

October

3rd October Child Health Day

It is annually celebrated in the USA on the first Monday of October. Child Health Day aims to help people learn more about how they can protect and develop their children’s health. It is not a public holiday.

10^th October Columbus Day

It is a federal holiday which is observed on the second Monday in October, remembers Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492. Some Americas celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. In some towns and cities, special church services, parades and large events are held.

15^th October Sweetest Day

National Sweetest Day is observed on the third Saturday in October by people of all ages. It commonly involves women giving their husbands or boyfriends candy. While it is not as large or widely observed as Valentine’s Day, it is still celebrated in parts of the USA.

17^th October National Boss Day

National Boss Day, also known as Boss’s Day or Bosses Day, is a time for many workers to appreciate their employers. It is annually observed in the USA on October 16, or the nearest working day. This observance gives employees

a chance to recognize those in supervisory positions. Some people give their bosses cards, gifts certificates or flowers on Boss’s Day. This observance is becoming increasingly popular in various workplaces.

27^th October Navy Day

It takes place on October 27. In the USA, the Navy league of the US organized the first Navy Day in 1922 holding it on October 27 because it was the birthday of President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a naval enthusiast.

31st October Halloween

It is not a holiday, but rather a festival. It is celebrated by hosting costume parties, playing ‘trick-or-treat’, watching horror films, visiting haunted houses or carving lanterns out of pumpkins. It is usually celebrated amongst family, friends and sometimes co-workers. However, some areas hold large community events.

Many children dress up in fancy costumes and visit other homes in the neighborhood. At each house, they demand sweet, snacks or a small gift. If they do not get this, they threaten to do some harm to the inhabitants of the house. This is known as playing ‘trick-or-treat’ and is supposed to happen in a friendly spirit, with no nasty or mean tricks being carried out.

Some families carve lanterns with ‘scary’ faces out of pumpkin or decorate their homes and gardens in Halloween style.

November

1st November All Saints’ Day

Many Catholic churches in the USA celebrate All Saints’ Day to honor all the saints, particularly those who do not have their own special feast day. It is also known as All Hallows’ Day. It is celebrated especially where there are large Roman Catholic populations. People gather in local cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers and light candles.

2nd November All Souls’ Day

The celebration is also called Day of the Dead. It is dedicated to prayers for the dead. It is a day of prayer for deceased souls. Many Christians visit cemeteries where their loved ones are buried.

6th November Daylight Saving Time

The first Sunday in November marks the end of DST in the US. On this day clock are set back 1 hour. It is also called Fall Back and Winter Time.

8^th November Election Day

Election Day is always held on the first Tuesday in November. It is the day on which popular ballots are held to select public officials. These includes national, state and local government representatives at all levels up to the president. The way in which people vote depends on the state in which they live in. Presidential elections are held every 4 years and the elected president will then be sworn in and take office the following January 20^th, a day known as Inauguration Day.

11th November Veterans Day

It is a holiday to honor all who have served in the US Military Services. It is market by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11 am. Some schools are closed, while others do not close, but choose to mark the occasion with special assemblies or other activities.

20th November Great American Smokeout

24th November Thanksgiving Day

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a beloved NYC tradition.

The 90^th anniversary MTDP in New York City starting at 9am, ending at 12pm. Apart from so many participants, the Parade is watched by more than 3.5 million people on the streets of Manhattan and more than 50 million people nationwide watch LIVE Streaming or LIVE Broadcast of the event at their homes and may be billion others worldwide.

25th November Black Friday

It is after Thanksgiving Day. It is the day of the biggest sales. It is the official start of the Christmas shopping season.

27th November First Sunday of Advent

The Advent Season marks the beginning of the Christian year. Many Advent traditions are observed in the US in the prelude to Christmas Day. For example, the Advent wreath is becoming increasingly popular. Advent calendars of all designs are also given at this time of the year. The calendars feature openings in the form of windows or doors that are numbered to count the days to Christmas. They may contain chocolates, toys or candy and are given to children as a fun way to observe the Christmas countdown.

December

1st December World Aids Day

It is a day to increase awareness and education and remind the world that HIV still exists and much more needs to be done.

6^th December St Nicholas’ Day

St Nicholas' Day is an observance of European origin that is celebrated in some American communities on December 6. Some churches in the United States recognize St Nicholas' Day as a feast day. Children in families who celebrate St Nicholas' Day receive treats - including candy, cookies, small toys, or fruit - in stockings, socks, shoes or bags. Some churches have special services dedicated to the feast of St Nicholas on this day. St Nicholas' Day is an observance and not a federal public holiday in the US.

7th December Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which is annually on December 7, commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii, during World War II. Many American service men and women lost their lives or were injured on December 7, 1941. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day. On the direction of the President, the flag of the United States of America should be displayed on the homes of Americans, the White House and all United States government buildings. The flag should be flown at half-mast to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

10th December Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights!

17th December Wright Brothers Day

Wright Brothers Day is celebrated in the United States on December 17 each year. The date commemorates the Wright brothers' first successful flight in heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled craft, accomplished on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Wright Brothers Day falls on the same day as Pan American Aviation Day. It must not be confused with National Aviation Day.