Let’s tidy things up, let’s delve deeper into American traditions. If you want, take notes: these are the fundamental and essential stars and stripes parties that you need to know.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – Some consider it one of the most American holidays, the most heartfelt and emblematic. When is it celebrated? In November, exactly on the fourth Thursday of the month. What is celebrated? Tradition has it that the Pilgrim Fathers, after years of suffering and religious persecution, wanted to thank God for the great abundance of fruits “found” in America by instituting a specific day to celebrate all this. Movies and TV series have often “brought” us into American homes on this special day and tradition has it that the whole family gathers around the table where stuffed turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and many other traditional delicacies cannot be missed.
MEMORIAL DAY – Another of the most heartfelt celebrations for the American people. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, emotions and the value of the homeland, commitment and dedication. It is the date on which the soldiers who fell in the different wars are remembered. A particularly emotional day where, on the last Monday of May, the tombs are decorated with flowers and ornaments.
VETERANS DAY – Another date dedicated to the military world. It is celebrated on November 11 in memory of November 11, 1918 when the armistice was signed between Germany and the Allies in the First World War and commemorates the commitment and honor of war veterans. The main event is America’s Parade, which is considered the largest American parade to take place in New York City.
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY – An important day for the United States of America, we would say a day to remember for the whole world. Every third Monday in January we celebrate the figure and importance of Martin Luther King: Protestant pastor, political activist and leader of the civil rights movement, Nobel Peace Prize winner. In 1983 the proposal to establish a day in memory of M.L. King became law signed and signed by the then President Ronald Reagan, but only ten years later, in 1993, it was celebrated and recognized by all the American states.
PRESIDENT’S DAY – A celebration that was officially created to commemorate the birth of President George Washington (the first President of the United States) and soon extended to all Presidents of the United States. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February with institutional ceremonies and public parades. Why a day dedicated to George Washington? Because he is considered the Father of the Nation, the only one so far to have been unanimously elected by the Electoral College, known for his values and dedication to work, a staunch supporter of a unitary form of state, an example for his successors and in general, one of the most famous American men in the world.
CINCO DE MAYO – A holiday that is celebrated annually in Mexico as well as in the United States, obviously on May 5th. Its origins are to be found in the desire on the part of the Mexican-American community in California to enhance, remember and exalt the principles of democracy and freedom of the people after the first years of the American Civil War. Today we celebrate Mexican pride, values like culture, music like food. Very colorful and “noisy” parades and parties are seen in particular in the cities of Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, where the Mexican community is an essential, alive and active part of the population.
INDEPENDENCE DAY – The 4th of July is the day of the independence of the American colonies from England. The date coincides with the anniversary of July 4, 1776, the day on which the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was signed. A day of celebration, a day of pride. The festivities are characterized by unique fireworks displays such as the one at the White House or Macy’s in New York. Celebrations in grand style that confirm the concept of “Think Big” that we explained to you some time ago. There are many traditions and customs that accompany this day: from parades to cultural events, from the classic barbecue to baseball and basketball games, up to the spectacular decorations on the houses. The festival is seen as an important moment of aggregation, where relatives and friends get together. It is definitely one of the essential holidays to mark in your diary.
HALLOWEEN – Magic, mystery, ghosts. A festival that has also entered our culture for years but which has ancient Celtic origins and which was “made their own” by the Americans thanks to the first Irish immigrants. The meaning of Halloween is “All Saints’ Eve”; Needless to say, the day is October 31st, where the motto “trick or treat” represents the funniest moment for children and where the figure of the legend of Jack-o-lanter has bequeathed us the pumpkin with a not exactly reassuring grin.
COLUMBUS DAY – A holiday dedicated to Christopher Columbus, linked in particular to the city of New York and the famous 5th Avenue parade which, however, at the same time, is surrounded by various controversies and disputes. The first to celebrate this anniversary, which falls on the second Monday of October, were the Italian immigrants of San Francisco in the second half of the 1800s. The protest, on the other hand, takes shape from the reflections of the Native Americans who see this day as a symbol of the resistance and extermination of the native populations caused, in America and in the world, by colonization.
LABOR DAY – Labor Day was born on the values and principles of our May 1st. Over time, however, it has turned into a real end-of-summer party, where fun is the master with events, concerts and dedicated programs on the first Monday of September. If you’re looking for a holiday to have fun, Labor Day might be for you.
GROUNDHOG DAY – Have you ever heard of Groundhog Day? The name is curious, unusual, as is the festival or rather, the tradition. The origin is German, transmitted to the States by the first Teutonic immigrants. What does the actual celebration consist of? Tradition has it that on this day you have to observe the shelter of a marmot: if it emerges and cannot see its shadow due to cloudy weather, winter will end soon, if it sees its shadow it will continue for another six weeks. The first Groundhog Day was celebrated in Pennsylvania on February 2, 1887.
