U.S. Political System & Holidays/Celebrations Abdelmalek Essaadi University Fall 2017 Semester 3, English Department
Separation of Church and State Church= Religion State= Government First amendment of the constitution (freedom of religion) Thomas Jefferson: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
Different Types of Holidays National Holidays State Holidays Example: Ramadan Cultural Holidays Example: Robert Lee s Birthday Religious Holidays Example: Veteran s Day Example: Valentine s Day And more!
National Holidays
New Year s Eve & New Year s Day December 31st= New Year s Eve January 1st= New Year s Day Stay up until midnight to ring in the New Year Celebrations with music, food, and family and friends Ball Drops in Times Square in New York City People make New Year s Resolutions- goals for the coming year
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Third Monday in January A Baptist minister who became the head of the Civil Rights Movement Advocated for non-violent protest and civil disobedience against oppressive Jim Crow laws Spearheaded March on Washington Assassinated by James Earl Ray on April 4th, 1968
Inauguration Day January 20th every four years Ceremony that marks the commencement of a new four year term. The president takes the oath of office and officially accepts his position for four years. Besides the oath, there are parades, parties, and other events to celebrate. Held at the United State Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Groundhog Day February 2nd (since 1887!) If a groundhog comes out of the ground on this day and does NOT see its shadow, that is a sign spring is coming. If a groundhog comes out of the ground on this day and sees its shadow and goes back into its burrow, that is a sign winter will last 6 more weeks.
Valentine s Day February 14th Originated as a religious holiday celebrating Saint Valentine No day off from work or school A romantic holiday Candy and Valentines (cards written to people you like) are exchanged Even family and friends exchange cards
St. Patrick s Day March 17 Originally an Irish Religious Holiday. In the U.S., it s a celebration of Irish culture. No day off from school or work either People celebrate by wearing green Kids look for leprechauns, get fake gold coins Adults drink and party
Cesar Chavez Day March 31 American labor activist and Civil Rights Leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers union Helped organize Filipino, Latino, and undocumented farm workers Basic labor rights
April Fools Day April 1st every year A day to play practical jokes on friends and family and then say April Fools! Sometimes newspapers or magazines publish fake stories Not a day off
Arbor Day & Earth Day Holidays celebrating the environment and the creation ED- April 22nd; AD- April 27th Many people plant trees, participate in community clean up events, and raise awareness about the environment
Cinco de Mayo May 5th is a Mexican Holiday that celebrates the Battle of Puebla (not celebrated in all areas of Mexico) In the U.S. the holiday celebrates Mexican culture, but is used as an excuse to party and drink Many people are disrespectful and offensive in the way they talk about culture and dress.
Easter Religious holiday- Christian Sunday at end of March/ beginning of April (Dependent on the lunar calendar) Celebrate Jesus rising from the dead End of Lent- Fasting. 40 days you give something up of your choosing to improve yourself-- non-christian do this too Easter Bunny- Figure for children to make the holiday fun-- the Easter bunny comes to hide Easter eggs and kids search for them and find candy hidden inside Times for family- big dinner
Mother s Day 2nd Sunday in May Day to appreciate mother figures in life Kids write cards and give gifts
Memorial Day Last Monday of May A paid holiday off from work Honors the memory of soldiers who died while serving Flags are lowered to half mast Many people lay flowers and flags on soldiers graves
Flag Day June 14th Not an official federal holiday Celebrates the adoption of the flag Associated with patriotism Many people hang flags at their homes
Father s Day Third Sunday of June Day to appreciate father figures in life
Independence day July 4th Federal Holiday Commemorates Declaration of Independence Associated with BBQs, fireworks, and spending time with family and friends
Labor day First Monday in September Official Holiday- NO WORK! Initially proposed by trade unionists and labor movements Government feared communist and anarchist uprisings Unofficial end of summer
Indigenous People s Day/ Columbus day Columbus Day celebrates day he was purported to have discovered the US Indigenous People s Day began as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day Promoted Native American culture Controversial issue in the US: What to celebrate?
Halloween October 31st Originated as a religious holiday commemorating the dead- the night before All Saint s Day Decorating pumpkins Trick-or-Treating Costumes Ghosts
Dia de los Muertos November 2nd Originally indigenous celebration of the dead, but was adopted as part of catholic celebrations Create altars for the dead with favorite food and photos. Honor the dead with sugar skulls, marigold flowers, and visit all graves in the ceremony. Spread to the United States as a celebration of Mexican Heritage
Election Day The first Tuesday after November 1st Varies from one election cycle to another Due to different term lengths, types of elections also vary Some workers are allowed to take paid leave from work, but others are not
Veterans Day November 11 Day off to honor Veteransreturned military who have served the country Focuses on people still alive
Thanksgiving 4th Thursday in November Day Off, Not religious 1621- begins with tradition of Native Americans (Wampanoag) and Pilgrims celebrating the end of the Harvest and giving thanks Native Americans saved the Europeans who were uneducated in agriculture and survival Celebrated with a big meal with family and giving thanks is still an important part American Football & the Macy s Day Parade FOOD: turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, squash, pumpkin pie, & apple pie
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Shopping holidays immediately after Thanksgiving People go crazy shopping in stores and online because there are a lot of sales Christmas shopping
The Month of Christmas A time of year- time of giving Entire month of December People put up Christmas Lights Christmas Trees to put in living room and decorate (gifts go under it) Hang stockings on fireplace Christmas Caroling Popular Culture- songs, movies, etc. Important traveling time
Big figures Santa s Elf Frosty the Snowman Santa Claus Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Christmas Eve Many people go to church at midnight Kids leave milk & cookies for santa Santa flies through the sky with his reindeer to deliver presents to children by coming down through the chimney and leaving the presents under the tree Santa decides if children are naughty or nice. If they are nice they receive gifts. If they are naughty they receive coal.
Christmas Day December 25th - The Birth of Jesus! Although still firmly a religious holiday, others celebrate it as primarily a gift-giving holiday Families get together for a big christmas dinner Gifts are opened and exchanged
Presidential Appreciation Lincoln s Birthday Jefferson s Birthday President s Day
Religious Holidays and Celebrations
Ash Wednesday Christian: First Day of Lent, the period of time before Easter 46 days before Easter (40 excluding Sundays) Commemorates the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert Ashes from blessed palm branches placed on the foreheads of worshippers
Holi February-March depending on the last Full Moon Day of Hindu luni-solar calendar Hindu spring festival of colors Victory of good over evil, arrival of spring, end of winter, and friendship In the U.S., people play with colors to celebrate.
Diwali Hindu Festival of Lights Autumn (depends on Hindu calendar) Victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Almost like a purging and restarting Americans celebrate it too (recently)
Passover Jewish holiday celebrating the Jewish people s liberation from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses Jewish people commonly mark their doors as a sign of protection, asking the angel to pass over their house Meal traditionally served on Seder plate
Hannukah 8 day Jewish holiday usually falls in December Celebrates oil lasting for 8 days rather 1- celebrate by lighting one candle a night for eight nights Play Dreidel Eat latkes (potato pancakes) Kids get presents Celebrated in the U.S. as part of the holiday season No days off unless it s at the same time as Christmas
Ramadan It is also celebrated in the United States!
Kwanzaa December 26-January 1 1 week African- American holiday in the United States Feast and gift-giving 7 core principles: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work/Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith Black nationalism of the 1960s- helps African Americans reconnect with African heritage Began as an alternative to Christmas, but became more secular over time Candelabra & drums
Homework for Next Week! Review the holidays for next week, we will be playing a game in class that requires knowledge of the holidays. Optional: Write a paragraph about your favorite holiday.