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Holiday Traditions
People worldwide celebrate holidays. Although the word "holiday" literally means "holy day," most American holidays are now celebrated in reflective (rememberance) in nature and origin. In the United States, the word "holiday" is synonymous with "celebration."
Each of the 50 states has jurisdiction over its holidays. The President issues an Executive order as each holiday nears in order for it to become a "national celebration". In reality, however, most states observe the federal ("legal or public ") holidays, even though the President and Congress can legally designate holidays only for federal government employees.
Only ten holidays a year are proclaimed by the federal government. New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
In 1971, the dates of many federal holidays were officially moved to the nearest Monday by then-President Richard Nixon. There are four holidays which are not necessarily celebrated on Mondays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When one of these holidays fall on a Sunday, the next day (Monday) is also a holiday. When one of these holidays falls on a Saturday, the previous day (Friday) is also a holiday.
Federal government offices, including the post office, are always closed on all federal holidays. Schools and businesses close on major holidays like Independence Day and Christmas Day but may not always be closed, for example, on Presidents' Day or Veterans' Day.
The tradition of observing birthdays started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would visit with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Parties and gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits.
At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration. The working class observed the birthday of a male, but there were no parties. As time went by, women and children became included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called Kinderfeste.
Birthday Traditions Around the World
Some traditions are more specific to certain countries.
Africa - Alot of African nations hold initiation ceremonies at a certain age.
Argentina - The birthday child receives a pull on the earlobe for each year they have been alive.
China - The birthday child pays respect to his/her parents and receives a gift of money. Eating noodles ensures the birthday child a long life.
Denmark - A flag is flown outside a window to designate that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday.
England - Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, then you will be rich.
Ireland - The birthday child is lifted upside down and "bumped" on the floor for good luck. The number of bumps given is the age of the child plus one for extra good luck.
Israel - A small child sits in a chair while grown-ups raise and lower it a number of times corresponding to the child's age, plus one for good luck.
Japan - The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion.
Mexico - The piñata, usually made out of paper mache and in the form of an animal, is filled with goodies and hung from the ceiling. The birthday child is blindfolded and hits the piñata until it is cracked open. All the children share the goodies.
Norway - The birthday child stands out in front of their class and chooses a friend to share a little dance while the rest of the class sings a happy birthday song.
Philippines - Birthday cakes are baked in various sizes and shapes. Eating noodles represents a long life Earlier in the day the family goes to hear Mass and to thank God.
Russia - Birthday Pies. Instead of a birthday cake, many Russian child receive a birthday pie with a birthday greeting carved into the crust.
Congress sanctioned National Friendship Day in 1935 as a special day to honor and celebrate friendships. In 1997, the United Nations named Winnie the Pooh as the world's "Ambassador of Friendship."
Friendship Quotes:
FRIENDS...... "If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you." -Winnie the Pooh
"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost." - Charles Caleb Colton
"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."
"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend." - Albert Camus.
"Strangers are just friends waiting to happen."
"Friends are the Bacon Bits in the Salad Bowl of Life."
"Friendship is one mind in two bodies." - Mencius
"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."
"If you should die before me, ask if you could bring a friend." -Stone Temple Pilots
"I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay." -DaveMatthews Band
"If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them, I'd be at the bottom to catch them."
"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say
"Best friends listen to what you don't say.
"We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere." - Tim McGraw
"My father always used to say that when you die, if you've got five real friends, then you've had a great life." -Lee Iacocca
"Hold a true friend with both your hands." -Nigerian Proverb
"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
House Warming Gift Ideas: Traditions: How many ‘new neighbors’ will you have over your lifetime? How many times do you think that you and your family will move over the course of your own life, how many housewarming gifts will you give or receive? While you are pondering about those questions, have you figured out an interesting ‘way’ to meet your new neighbors without being intrusive on their privacy and seeming pushy? There is a tradition, which is handed down from mothers to daughters throughout many past and present generations, using housewarming gift ideas to select the perfect house warming gift, an entre to strike up an interesting and welcoming conversation between new neighbors.
Housewarming Gift Ideas: Your New Neighbors: A house warming present represents you are welcoming your new neighbors into the neighborhood. This is a tradition that continues not only in small towns, but also in larger cities, where it is most critical to ‘know your neighbors’ and to create special bonding between people that live closely to each other. You might even be surprised to know that there are many ‘neighbors’ in apartment buildings that give their newest neighbors housewarming presents, which carries on the tradition of meeting your neighbors, being friendly and letting others know that you are there if they should need anything in the future.
House warming Gift Ideas: Selection: The housewarming present that you pick-out for giving to your new neighbors, does not have to be expensive, large or fancy, but it should represent your collective thoughts as a person in welcoming a new neighbor. You don’t have to wrap your house warming present if you prefer not to but there are many that do using pretty bags, shining bows and wonderful colored wrapping. A good choice might be a set of quality wind chimes, or a dramatic indoor/outdoor functional Wall Fountain.
House warming Gift ideas: Changing Traditions: Traditions have somewhat changed over the years in regards to house warming presents and with what kinds of gifts are given. Looking back at house warming gifts and to what type of item is considered appropriate there are many varieties of gifts, which depend on the generation at hand. Way back ‘in the old days’ one might consider an apple pie or a dozen eggs as a great house warming present, but today, treasures, wonderful trinkets, and small gifts are more appealing gifts than a dozen eggs would be to your new neighbor! Some interesting and unusual ideas for housewarming gifts include: wind socks, garden stones, window pictures, flower bulbs, wind chimes or even a candle to brighten up a room. Have you thought about what you are going to give to your new neighbor yet? It may be as simple as a quality piece of garden or patio decor. Have fun and good luck! Have any other great housewarming gift ideas? E-mail us
January first is the beginning of a New Year, a year of new beginnings, new hopes, and new adventures. In many cultures, most of people feel the same sentiment. With a new year, we can expect a new life. We wish each other good luck and promise ourselves to do better in the following year.
On January first, Americans visit friends, relatives and neighbors. There is plenty to eat and drink when you just drop in to wish your loved ones and friends the best for the year ahead.
Many families and friends watch television together enjoying the parades and the football games.
The beginning of the new year has been welcomed on different dates throughout history. Great Britain and its colonies in America adopted the Gregorian calender in 1752, in which January 1st was restored as New Year's Day. The start of the new year used to be in the middle of March since this time of year life begins to emerge from the dead of winter . Leaves begin to turn green, flower buds begins to open, and there are signs of vegetation everywhere. Hibernating animals begin to make an appearance and the births of baby creatures are prominent.
During a trip to Egypt, Julius Caesar had seen a marvelous calendar. He brought it back to Rome where he and his scholars began to interpret and tamper with it to create the Julian Calendar. Unfortunately, while making these changes they completely lost the accurateness of the Egyptian calendar. They decided on January 1st to begin the year.
After years of the calendar being edited and corrupted by various people, Pope Gregory XIII established the Gregorian Calendar in 1582. This calendar solidified the dates and was thought to better encompass the four seasons. This is the calendar we use.
There were and are other calendars: Asian countries follow the Lunar Calendar and celebrate the New Year in January or February. Diwali begins the New Year in India around October/November and Rosh Hashanah commences the Jewish New Year in late September-early October.
St. Valentine's Day is a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic and heartfelt. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy, valentines can be anonymous.
Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines. Handmade valentines created by cutting hearts out of colored paper, show that a lot of thought was put into making them personal. In elementary schools children make valentines for their classmates and put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February 14, the teacher opens the box and distributes the valentines to each student. After the students read their valentines they have a small party with refreshments.
Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailer's daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailer's daughter a farewell letter, signing it "From Your Valentine." Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him.
Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time, AD 200. He was imprisoned because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was burned at the stake.
In AD 496 Sain Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as "Valentine's Day". Although it's not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day.
Heart
The international symbol of love. Ancient Romans believed the heart contained the soul.
Rose
The rose has been used to reveal secret loves. A red rose is the symbol of true love. White, pure love. Pink, innocent or puppy love.Yellow, friendship.
Cupid
A cherub who shoots his arrows into people making them fall in love. The Roman god of love and desire (Eros in Greek mythology). He fell deeply in love with Psyche (a mortal). They married and had a child named Pleasure.
Rings
A never-ending circle symbolizing eternal love.
Doves
Doves mate for life, they symbolize loyalty.
Candy
Usually reserved for royalty, candy demonstrates commitment.
St. Patrick's Day is the one day that everyone is a little Irish. Every year on March 17 or the preceding Saturday, cities with a large population of Irish Americans have parades. Green is one of the national colors of Ireland and also one of the signs of spring. Green stripes are painted on the streets where the parade will travel. People wear green shirts, ties, hair ribbons and hats.
Just like many other holidays in the United States, St. Patrick's Day has its origins in ancient times. A young boy named Patrick lived in the British Isles, a land that had been invaded and conquered first by the Romans and then by Germanic tribes. Patrick was captured and taken as a slave from the British Isles to what is now Ireland. He lived there for several years herding sheep.
Upon his release, Patrick went in Ireland and became a missionary, travelling from village to village and talking about his faith. Once, several members of a tribe approached Patrick and told him that they found it difficult to understand and believe in the Holy Trinity. Patrick thought a moment, then stooped down and picked one of the plentiful shamrocks growing wild around Ireland. "Here are three leaves," he said, "yet it is one plant. Imagine the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit as each of these leaves. Here they are, yet they are one plant." The tribesmen understood, because Patrick had used a familiar object to explain. From that time on, the shamrock has been a revered symbol of Ireland.
St. Patrick died on March 17 and the Irish people set aside the day to mourn. He became the patron saint of Ireland. Mourning turned to commemorating him and celebrating his life. Americans have inherited this custom. On St. Patrick's Day in the United States, millions of people celebrate whether they are Irish or not!
The Shamrock
This is the national flower of Ireland. The word shamrock comes from the Gaelic word which means "trefoil" or "little clover". The shamrock is believed to have the ability to foretell the future: when it is about to rain the leaves turn upwards. The lucky four leafed clover is difficult to find because it is actually a genetic abnormality that causes the fourth leaf. One legend states that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity.
The Leprechaun
The leprechaun is a tiny elf connected with St. Patrick's Day. The word 'leprechaun' is from a mixture of 'luchorpan' or 'small person' and a word meaning 'one-shoemaker.' As a St. Patrick's Day symbol, the leprechaun is a smiling, merry little elf. However, legend tells us that he is always grumpy, untrustworthy and very tricky. In ancient myths, the leprechaun guards a hidden pot of gold which humans try to find but without success. As one story goes, an Irishman caught a leprechaun, managed to make him reveal which tree his pot of gold was buried under. The Irishman tied a red handkerchief around the trunk of it so he would remember the location when he went away to find a shovel. When he returned, he found that the leprechaun had tied a red handkerchief exactly like his own around every other tree in the forest!
The Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is an actual stone set into the wall of the Blarney Castle tower. The castle is located in Blarney village. One must climb many stairs, then lie backwards and hold onto some bars to reach the stone. Legend holds that anyone who kisses the stone shall receive the gift of gab.
The Claddagh Ring
Legend tells of a man, from Claddagh, who was captured by pirates a week before he was to be married. While he was enslaved, he learned to be a goldsmith. He created a ring for the bride he longed to see again. The heart in the center symbolized their love, the hands holding the heart symbolized their friendship, and the crown represented their loyalty. He did indeed return to his bride, gave her the ring, and married her. Today, tradition follows that if you are given this ring in friendship the heart points outward; if given in love, the heart points inward.
The most holy and joyful day of the year to Christians, is Easter. Easter is the celebration of the risen Christ after He had been sentenced to death upon the cross by the Romans on Good Friday three days earlier. The story of Easter is found in each of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) Protestant settlers brought the custom of a sunrise service, a religious gathering at dawn, to the United States.
On Easter Sunday children wake up to find that the Easter Bunny has left them baskets of candy.
The meaning of many different customs observed during Easter Sunday have been buried with time. All in some way or another are a "salute to spring," marking re-birth.
The Easter Bunny - Hares and rabbits have frequent multiple births so they became a symbol of fertility. The custom of an Easter egg hunt began because children believed that hares laid eggs in the grass. The Romans believed that "All life comes from an egg." Christians consider eggs to be "the seed of life" and so they are symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In medieval Europe, beautifully decorated eggs were given as gifts.
Egg Rolling
In England, Germany and some other countries, children rolled eggs down hills on Easter morning, a game which has been connected to the rolling away of the rock from Jesus Christ's tomb when he was resurrected. British settlers brought this custom to the New World.
In the United States in the early nineteenth century, Dolly Madison, the wife of the fourth American President, organized an egg roll in Washington, D.C. The custom continued, except for the years during war. In 1880, the First Lady invited children to the White House for the Egg Roll because officials had complained that they were ruining the Capitol lawn. It has been held there ever since then. The event has grown, and today Easter Monday is the only day of the year when tourists are allowed to wander over the White House lawn. The wife of the President sponsors it for the children of the entire country. The egg rolling event is open to children twelve years old and under. Adults are allowed only when accompanied by children!
On the second Sunday in May, children of all ages treat their mothers to something special. It is the one day out of the year when children, try to show how much they appreciate their mothers.
On Mother's Day morning some American children follow the tradition of serving their mothers breakfast in bed. Other children will give their mothers gifts which they have made themselves or bought in stores. Adults give their mothers red carnations, the official Mother's Day flower. If their mothers are deceased they may bring white carnations to their grave sites.
This is the busiest day of the year for American restaurants. On her special day, family members do not want Mom to cook dinner.
Largely due to the the perseverance and love of one daughter Anna Jarvis, Mother's Day became an official holiday in 1915. As her father served as a minister, Anna's mother had provided strength and support as the family made their home in West Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Anna had helped her mother take care of her garden, mostly filled with white carnations, her mother's favorite flower.
When Mrs. Jarvis died on May 5, 1905, Anna was determined to honor her. She asked the minister at her church in West Virginia to give a sermon in her mother's memory. On the same Sunday in Philadelphia, their minister honored Mrs. Jarvis and all mothers with a special Mother's Day service, Anna Jarvis began writing to congressmen, asking them to set aside a day to honor mothers. In 1910, the governor of West Virginia proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day and a year later every state celebrated it.
Celebrating Memorial Day On Memorial Day, the President or Vice President of the United States gives a speech and lays a wreath on the tombs of the unknowns. Members of the Armed Forces shoot a rifle salute in the air. Veterans and families come to lay their own wreaths and say prayers.
Memorial Day is not limited to honor only those Americans from the armed forces. It is also a day for personal remembrance. Families and individuals honor the memories of their loved ones who have died. Church services, visits to the cemetery, flowers on graves or even silent tribute mark the day with dignity and solemnity. It is a day of reflection.
In 1866, Henry Welles, a drugstore owner in Waterloo, New York, had an idea. He suggested that all the shops in town close for one day to honor the soldiers who were killed in the Civil War and were buried in the Waterloo cemetery. On the morning of May 5, the townspeople placed flowers, wreaths and crosses on the graves of the Northern soldiers in the cemetery.
At about the same time, Retired Major General Jonathan A. Logan planned another ceremony, this time for the soldiers who survived the war. It was not a happy celebration, but a memorial. The townspeople called it Decoration Day. The two ceremonies were joined in 1868, and northern states commemorated the day on May 30. The southern states commemorated their war dead on different days. In Louisiana and Tennessee June 3rd is Memorial Day and on May 10th North and South Carolina celebrate the day.
In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day and soldiers who had died in previous wars were honored as well. In the northern United States, it was designated a public holiday.
In Waterloo, New York, the origin has not been lost and in fact the meaning has become even more special. President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Waterloo the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966, 100 years after the first commemoration.
In 1971, along with other holidays, President Richard Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday on the last Monday in May.
In the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier there are actually four soldiers buried in this spot: the unknown soldiers of the two World Wars, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War. On another hill of Arlington Cemetery there is a mass grave of unidentified soldiers from the Civil War.
On the third Sunday in June, American fathers are honored by their children. The United States is one of the few countries in the world that has an official day on which to honor Dad.
The origin of Father's Day is debatable. Some say that it began with a church service in West Virginia in 1908. Others say the first Father's Day ceremony was held in Vancouver, Washington.
Regardless of when the first true Father's Day occurred, the strongest promoter of the holiday was Mrs. Bruce John Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Dodd felt that she had an outstanding father. He was a veteran of the Civil War. His wife had died young, and he had raised six children without their mother.
In 1909, Mrs. Dodd approached her own minister and others in Spokane about having a church service dedicated to fathers on June 5, her father's birthday. That date was too soon for her minister to prepare the service, so he spoke a few weeks later on June 19th.
States and organizations began lobbying Congress to declare an annual Father's Day. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson approved of this idea, but it was not until 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event to "establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations." Since then, fathers hadbeen honored and recognized by their families throughout the country on the third Sunday in June.
The American flag is one of the most complicated in the world. No other flag needs 64 pieces of fabric to make. The current flag has 13 red and white alternating stripes (representing the original 13 states) and 50 stars (each star represents one of the states of the Union) on a blue background.
Although debatable definitions exist: Red-hardiness and valor White-purity and innocence Blue-viligilance and perserverance also: Red is for the blood that was shed White is for the innocence Blue is for the loyalty shown In both cases, (as in most) the origins of the meanings are unknown.
Included in the code of ethics for flag use are such rules as the national flag cannot be used for advertising. It cannot cover a monument or any ceilings. It must not be folded while being displayed. It must be lowered every evening and raised every morning.It should be taken down upon threat of rain, snow, etc, It must not touch the ground and must be properly folded. No one should write on an American flag. Ships can lower their flags slightly in greeting each other, but otherwise should not be dipped for any other object or person.
The United States did not even have a standardized flag until 1912. The American flag has also changed designs more than any other flag in the world. The first flag, called the Grand Union, was first flown at the headquarters of the Continent Army on January 1, 1776. Betsy Ross, a' seamstress, is said to have contributed to this design. She had an upholstery business which made flags for navy ships in Pennsylvania. A legend still persists that she showed George Washington how to make a five-pointed star and suggested thirteen stars in a circle for the first flag. Her descendants claimed that she offered the design.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress proposed that the United States have a national flag instead of the British Union Jack. The 13 stars of the flag represented the 13 new states.Then, when America started growing, it was decided to add a star for each state and let the stripes epresent the first 13 states. There were few public ceremonies honoring the Stars and Stripes until 1877, when on, June 14, it was flown from every government building in honor of the centennial of the adoption of a national flag. The first official Flag Day was observed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1893. New York also proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day 1897. Other states were slow to follow. Some people thought that the day was too close to Memorial Day and Independence Day.
In August 1949, President Harry S. Truman proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. Individual states determine how they will observe the day. In Pennsylvania and American Samoa (where it is observered on April 17) it is a public holiday. Usually the flag is flown from all public buildings, speeches are made in public places and ceremonies take place in towns or cities
The Star Spangled Banner
During the War of 1812 between the British and Americans, lawyer Francis Scott Key was escorting a prisoner to freedom by ship when he saw an American flag surviving a battle in Baltimore Harbor. The flag inspired him to write the poem which provides the words for the national anthem. Today the "Star-Spangled Banner" is sung at large public gatherings such as sports events. Many television stations play the anthem before the station closes down for the night.
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our Flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free, and home of the brave?
The Pledge of Alliegence
The first pledge was wriiten in August 1872 by a Baptist minister named Fraincis Bellamy, a socalist Christian. The original did not contain the words "of the United States of America" This was added in 1923 by the National Flag Committee, sponsered by the daughters of the American Revolution. Nor did it contain the phrase "under God". In 1954, this was added by Congress in an attempt to make it a Christian pledge and a patriotic one.
I pledge alligence to the flag Of the United States of America And to the republic for which it stands One nation, under God Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 because that is the day when the Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. From July 8, 1776, until the next month, the document was read publicly and people celebrated whenever they heard it. The next year, in Philadelphia, bells rang and ships fired guns, candles and firecrackers were lighted. But the War of Independence dragged on until 1783, and in that year, Independence Day was made an official holiday. In 1941 Congress declared 4th of July a federal holiday.
John Adams, Second President of the United States, wrote to his wife, "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."
John Adams may have predicted the later Independence Day celebrations or perhaps he started traditions with his words. Every July fourth, Americans have a holiday from work. Communities have day-long picnics with favorite foods like hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans and all the fixings. At dusk, people in towns and cities gather to watch the fireworks display.
1752 the Liberty Bell arrived safely from England, but at the first blow from a hammer to test it, it cracked. Not wanting to delay by returning the bell to England, the officials ordered bell founders in Philadelphia to remedy the fault. It was cast two times before it was finally ready.
On July 8, 1776, the bell rang to mark the occasion of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. On April 16, 1783 it proudly announced the proclamation of peace and the newly won independence of the United States of America.
Then, after 50 years, on July 8, 1835, while tolling for the funeral procession of John Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the great bell cracked.
Fearing that the crack would eventually destroy the historic bell, officials ordered it taken down from the tower. It was after this that the Liberty Bell received its name. Since then, the bell has been on display but has never rung. The crack which appeared on that occasion is prevented from widening by a mechanical device, called a spider, installed inside the bell.
The bell foundry in London that originally cast the great bell made a friendly proposal - to ship the bell back to England, melt it, and recast it at no cost to the United States. However, the keepers of the bell decided that the cracked liberty bell is a cherished symbol of America's struggle for freedom.
Many immigrants settled in New York City in the nineteenth century. They found that living conditions were not as wonderful as they had dreamed. Often there were six families crowded into a house made for one family. Thousands of children had to go to work. Working conditions were even worse. Immigrant men, women and children worked in factories for ten to twelve hours a day, stopping only for a short time to eat. They came to work even if they were tired or sick because if they didn't, they might be fired. Thousands of people were waiting to take their places.
One of the main issues of the day pertained to labor conditions. Workers were tired of long hours, low pay and uncertain jobs. They spoke of organizing themselves into a union of laborers to improve their working conditions. In the spring of 1872, Peter McGuire and 100,000 workers went on strike and marched through the streets, demanding a decrease in the long working day.
The idea of organizing workers according to their trades spread around the country. Factory workers, dock workers and toolmakers all began to demand and get their rights to an eight-hour workday, a secure job and a future in their trades. Peter McGuire and laborers in other cities planned a holiday for workers on the first Monday in September, halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day.
On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand workers marched in a parade up Broadway. Within the next few years, the idea spread from coast to coast, and all states celebrated Labor Day. In 1894, Congress voted it a federal holiday.
Today we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September. Some cities have parades and community picnics. Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.
Grandparents Day is the first Sunday After Labor Day. Today, over 3 million Americans observe this day set aside to honor our grandparents.
This day has a threefold purpose: -To honor grandparents -To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children. -To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
In 1970, a West Virginia housewife, Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, initiated a campaign to set aside a special day just for Grandparents. She and her husband Joe are the parents of 15 children. They have 40 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in 1973 in West Virginia by Governor Arch Moore. Also in 1973, Senator Randolph introduced a Grandparent's Day resolution in the United States Senate.
In 1978, five years after its West Virginia inception, President Jimmy Carter signed into law legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. (September was chosen for the holiday, to signify the "autumn years" of life.)
On October 31st, dozens of children dressed in costumes knock on their neighbors' doors and yell, "Trick or Treat" when the door opens. Pirates and princesses, ghosts and popular heroes of the day all hold bags open to catch the candy or other goodies that the neighbors drop in. As they give each child a treat the neighbors exclaim over the costumes and try to guess who is under the masks.
Since the 800's November 1st is a religious holiday known as All Saints' Day. The Mass that was said on this day was called All Hallowmas. The evening before became known as All Hollows Eve, or Halloween.
October 31st was the eve of the Celtic new year. The Celts were the ancestors of the present-day Irish, Welsh and Scottish people. On this day ghosts walked and mingled with the living, or so the Celts thought. The townspeople baked food all that day and when night fell they dressed up and tried to resemble the souls of the dead. Hoping that the ghosts would leave peacefully before midnight of the new year the people carried the food to the edge of town and left it for them.
Symbols of Halloween
Halloween originated as a celebration connected with evil spirits. Witches flying on broomsticks with black cats, ghosts, goblins and skeletons have all evolved as symbols of Halloween. They are popular trick-or-treat costumes and decorations for greeting cards and windows. Black is one of the traditional Halloween colors, probably because Halloween festivals and traditions took place at night. In the weeks before October 31, Americans decorate windows of houses and schools with silhouettes of witches and black cats.
Pumpkins are also a symbol of Halloween. Carving pumpkins into jack- o'lanterns is a Halloween custom also dating back to Ireland. A legend grew up about a man named Jack who was so stingy that he was not allowed into heaven when he died, because he was a miser. He couldn't enter hell either because he had played jokes on the devil. As a result, Jack had to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgement Day. The Irish people carved scary faces out of turnips, beets or potatoes representing "Jack of the Lantern," or Jack-o'lantern. When the Irish brought their customs to the United States, they carved faces on pumpkins because in the autumn they were more plentiful than turnips. Today jack-o'-lanterns in the windows of a house on Halloween night let costumed children know that there are goodies waiting if they knock and say "Trick or Treat!"
Almost every culture in the world has held celebrations of thanks for a plentiful harvest. The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a feast of thanksgiving in the early days of the American colonies almost four hundred years ago.
Thanksgiving is a time for tradition and sharing. Even if they live far away, family members gather for a reunion at the house of an older relative. All give thanks together for the good things that they have. On most tables throughout the United States, foods eaten at the first Thanksgiving have become traditional.
In 1620, a boat called the Mayflower filled with more than one hundred people sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in the New World. The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and settled in what is now the state of Massachusetts. Their first winter in the New World was difficult. They had arrived too late to grow many crops, and without fresh food, half the colony died from disease. The following spring the Iroquois Indians taught them how to grow corn (maize), They showed them other crops to grow and how to hunt and fish.
In the autumn of 1621, bountiful crops of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins were harvested. The colonists had much to be thankful for, so a feast was planned. They invited the local Indian chief and 90 Indians. The Indians brought deer to roast with the turkeys and other wild game offered by the colonists. The colonists had learned how to cook cranberries and different kinds of corn and squash dishes from the Indians. To this first Thanksgiving, the Indians had even brought popcorn.
In following years, many of the original colonists celebrated the autumn harvest with a feast of thanks. After the United States became an independent country, Congress recommended one yearly day of thanksgiving for the whole nation to celebrate. George Washington suggested the date November 26 as Thanksgiving Day. Then in 1863, Abraham Lincoln asked all Americans to set aside the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving.
In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt set it one week earlier. Congress ruled that after 1941 the 4th Thursday in November would be a federal holiday proclaimed by the President each year.
Symbols of Thanksgiving Turkey Corn (or maize), pumpkins and cranberry sauce are symbols which represent the first Thanksgiving. The use of corn meant the survival of the colonies. "Indian corn" as a table or door decoration represents the harvest and the fall season.
Sweet-sour cranberry sauce Cranberry jelly, was on the first Thanksgiving table and is still served today. The cranberry is a small, sour berry. It grows in bogs, or muddy areas, in Massachusetts and other New England states. The Indians used the fruit to treat infections. They used the juice to dye their rugs and blankets. They taught the colonists how to cook the berries with sweetener and water to make a sauce. The Indians called it "ibimi" which means "bitter berry." When the colonists saw it, they named it "crane-berry" because the flowers of the berry bent the stalk over, and it resembled the long-necked bird called a crane. Until recently most schoolchildren believed that the Pilgrims cooked the entire Thanksgiving feast, and offered it to the Indians. In fact, the feast was planned to thank the Indians for teaching them how to cook those foods. Without the Indians, the first settlers would not have survived.
The Legend Of The Five Kernels
The first winter the Pilgrims spent in their new home was very cold. Food was in short supply. Some days they only had enough food for each person to have five kernels of corn for the day. But spring came. They planted food. It grew. And all the Pilgrims did not die. From then on, when a time of Thanksgiving came around, the pilgrims put five kernels of corn on each plate and used them to remind themselves of their blessings. The first kernel reminds us of the autumn beauty around us. The second kernel reminds us of our love for each other. The third kernel reminds us of God's love and care for us. The fourth kernel reminds us of our friends-especially our Indian brothers. The fifth kernel reminds us we are free people.
Christmas is a joyful religious holiday when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas story comes from the Bible in the books of Matthew and Luke. An angel appeared to shepherds and told them that a Savior had been born to Mary and Joseph in a stable in Bethlehem. Wise Men from the East (the Magi) followed a wondrous star which led them to the baby Jesus to whom they paid homage and presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Customs and Traditions
To people all over the world, Christmas is a season of giving and receiving presents. Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, and Father Christmas are spirits of giving. Christmas has been associated with gift giving since the Wise Men brought gifts to welcome the newborn Jesus Christ.
In some European countries, Father Christmas, or Saint Nicholas, comes into houses in the night and leaves gifts for the children. Saint Nicholas is represented as a kindly man with a red cloak and long white beard. Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which explains his other name 'Santa Claus' which comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD. He was very shy, and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. It is said that there was a family with 3 girls whose father was unable to give them each a dowrey (items needed before marraige to start a home) one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings.
Legend of the Christmas Tree
One legend is that one clear cold Christmas Eve the monk Martin Luther was walking home through the woods. As it was a beautiful starry night, he paused for a moment to gaze at the sky in reverent meditation. He was in a grove of tall pines . . . From where he stood it looked as though thousands of stars had settled on their branches. He proceeded to cut a tiny tree and took it home where he decorated it with small candles in metal holders to recreate his experience for his children. That glittering tree became a tradition for his family in the many Christmases to come just as it has for many other families around the world."
Legend of the Candy Cane
According to legend there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was a witness to Christ. It had to be special to be a gift for the King of Kings,thought the humble candy maker.Not just any piece of candy would do.It had to be hard candy because the church is built on solid rock and God's promises are a firm foundation. It would be formed in the shape of the Good Shepherd's staff. A "J" that would also stand for the precious name Jesus. But it had to say more. White stripes would symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Christ. Three small red stripes would represent the scourging Jesus suffered on his way to the cross.One large red stripe would remind those with eyes to see and ears to hear of the blood Jesus shed as payment for our sins. The flavor of the cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. It would be a gift of love that would tell His story-the greatest story ever told.
Legend of the Poinsettia
It once was the custom in Mexico for the villagers to leave a gift for the Baby Jesus in their church on Christmas Eve. In one small village,a little boy who had no gift to bring prayed to God for a way to show his love for the Infant King. God,in His mercy,looked down on the boy and answered his earnest prayer.By causing a flower to bloom where he knelt, a flower so brilliant and fair.The miraculous flower was formed like a star with leaves that were red and so bright. And the boy's precious gift has come to be known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
Legend of the Sand Dollar
Upon this odd shaped seashell a legend grand is told about the life of Jesus the wonderous tale of old The center marking plainly shows the well know "Guiding Stars" That led to tiny Bethlehem the Wise Men from afar The Christmas flower, Poinsettia for his Nativity The Resurrection too is marked the Easter Lily, five wounds were suffered by our Lord from nails and the Roman's spear, when he died for us on the cross. The wounds show plainly here within the shell, should it be broke five Doves of Peace are found to emphasize this legend.
Legend of the Dogwood
There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in his suffering said to it: Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used a a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross...two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember.
Legend of Tinsel
Joseph, Mary and Jesus were leaving the city to hide from King Herod.They grew very tired so they stopped in a cave to rest. The soldiers came by but did not look into the cave because it was covered in cobwebs.That night as they slept a spider had covered the entrance to the cave to keep them safe. When they awoke the cobwebs shimmered in the morning sun and they new God had kept them safe. So when you see Tinsel on a tree it symbolizes the spiders web that saved Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
Legend of the Christmas Spider
Along time ago in Germany a mother was busily cleaning for Christmas.
The spiders fled upstairs to the attic to escape the broom. When the house became quiet the spiders slowly crept downstairs to peek. Oh what a beautiful tree! In their excitement they scurried up the trunk and out along each branch. They were filled with happiness as they climbed amongst the glittering beauty. But alas! By the time they were through climbing, the tree was completely shrouded in their dusty grey spider web. When Santa Claus came with the gifts for the children and saw the tree covered with spider webs, he smiled as he saw how happy the spiders were, but knew how heartbroken the mother would be if she saw the tree covered with dusty webs. So he turned the webs into silver and gold. The tree sparkled and shimmered and was even more beautiful than before. That's why we have tinsel on our trees and every tree should have a Christmas spider in it's branches.
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