U.S. National Holidays | Learn American Holidays | English with Jackie

Summary

In this video, Jackie introduces viewers to various U.S. national holidays, sharing their dates, customs, and cultural significance. From New Year's Day and MLK Day to Thanksgiving and Christmas, Jackie explains how Americans celebrate these holidays with traditions like resolutions, parades, family feasts, and gift-giving. She also touches on changing observances, such as the shift from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day in some states. Whether you're new to American culture or just curious, this video offers a fun and informative look at the major holidays that shape U.S. celebrations.

Takeaways

• 😀 New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st with a champagne toast and setting resolutions for the year ahead.
• 😀 Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday of January and honors the civil rights leader's legacy.
• 😀 Presidents Day, celebrated on the third Monday of February, honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
• 😀 Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates U.S. military personnel who have died in service.
• 😀 Independence Day, or the 4th of July, marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with fireworks and parades.
• 😀 Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September, recognizing American workers and the end of summer.
• 😀 Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October, celebrates Columbus’s arrival, though some states observe Indigenous Peoples' Day instead.
• 😀 Veterans Day, on November 11th, honors military veterans for their service.
• 😀 Halloween, while not a national holiday, is widely celebrated with costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating.
• 😀 Thanksgiving, held on the third Thursday in November, is a time for family gatherings and traditional meals like turkey and pumpkin pie.
• 😀 Christmas, on December 25th, is the biggest holiday in the U.S. with decorations, gift-giving, and celebrations of Jesus's birth.
• 😀 Christmas Eve, on December 24th, is a time for preparing for Christmas Day, including leaving milk and cookies for Santa.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of New Year's Day in the U.S.?

New Year's Day, celebrated on January 1st, marks the beginning of the new year. It is often celebrated with a countdown on New Year's Eve, champagne, and setting New Year's resolutions for personal goals.

What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day honor, and when is it observed?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

What is Presidents' Day, and which presidents does it celebrate?

Presidents' Day, observed on the third Monday of February, originally honored George Washington's birthday but is now also used to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

What is Memorial Day, and how do Americans typically observe it?

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, honors American military personnel who have died in service. People commemorate the day with parades and visits to cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery.

Why is the 4th of July significant in the U.S.?

The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, marking the birth of the United States as an independent nation.

What is the significance of Labor Day in the U.S.?

Labor Day, observed on the first Monday of September, honors the contributions of American workers. It also marks the end of summer and is traditionally associated with the fashion rule of not wearing white after Labor Day.

What is Columbus Day, and how is it changing in the U.S.?

Columbus Day celebrates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, but it is now being increasingly recognized as Indigenous Peoples' Day in many states, honoring Native American communities.

What is the purpose of Veterans Day, and when is it observed?

Veterans Day, observed on November 11th, honors military veterans. It is a day to thank them for their service, often with the phrase 'Thank you for your service.'

What activities are commonly associated with Halloween in the U.S.?

Though not a national holiday, Halloween is widely celebrated with activities such as dressing up in costumes, attending parties, carving pumpkins, and children going trick-or-treating to collect candy.

What are some of the traditional foods served during Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving, celebrated on the third Thursday in November, is known for its traditional foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, and pumpkin pie, which is a personal favorite of the speaker in the video.