Holidays in the US

America celebrates a number of holidays through out the year.  Some of them are National Holidays recognized by the Federal Government and are considered US postal holidays when the post office is closed, some have a religious origin and others are just for fun. Whatever, the reason they are celebrated by many people in one way or another.  I used to think that some of them were made up by Hallmark just to sell cards, but that couldn't be right, could it?

Anyway, here is my list of  The American Holidays or at least what I consider to be the major US holidays in chronological order.

New Year's Day
This is a day taken to help recover from the night before and celebrate a new beginning by many people.  It is celebrated on the First of January and is the first day of the year on both the Julian and Gregorian calendars.

There are some religious connotations to the day, but that is beyond this dissertation about holidays in the US.

However, it is highly worshiped by all fireworks manufactures as more fireworks are exploded the night before than on any other day of the year.

Martin Luther King Day
This is observed on the third Monday of January which is around the birth date of  Martin Luther King, Jr.   The holiday was signed in to law by President Ronald Reagan much to the chagrin of many in the South who did not observe the holiday for several years.

Groundhog Day
Yes that's right, in their never ending efforts to create holidays for any reason whatsoever the American people, well at least some of them, ok, maybe a few of them, celebrate a furry creatures awakening and emergence from its burrow.  The story goes, that if the groundhog sees his shadow, winter will continue for another six freezing weeks.  In anticipation of this blessed event people come out of their burrows very early on the morn of February 2 to celebrate the festive occasion.  Once the creature has been drawn out of his burrow to the admiration of those assembled and either sees his shadow or does not see his shadow, the event comes to a close and everyone gets to start their day off exhausted.  Alright it may not be a major US holiday, but it is fun.

Valentine's Day

This day although widely celebrated is not an official holiday.  The day originally did and still does have a religious connection.  Today however, it is associated with love and traditionally recognized with the gifting of flowers, chocolates, and valentine cards.

Most American adults can remember their days in elementary school when they gave valentine cards to their classmates and there was always that one special person that was given the best card.

Today it remains a day of romance and love as there will always be a number of wedding proposals made on this date, February 14.

I always thought the best valentine idea was to get married on Valentines day.  That way you would never forget your anniversary with all the advertising surrounding the day, and cover two gifting days at once.

President's Day and Washington's Birthday

George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays are just days apart.  The two birthdays used to be celebrated separately in some states.  The day is now more widely observed as Presidents Day, giving the various states the option of recognizing any president they want.  For most people it merely represents a day off from work if their company recognizes it.  It is of course recognized by the retail industry with a variety of fantastic President's Day Sales.

Saint Patrick's Day

This is a really big holiday in Boston, Chicago, and New York, as they have big celebrations.  In most places around the country it merely gives people a reason to talk with a fake accent and drink green beer. Although any holiday that encourages drinking beer, should be declared a national holiday with parades and hoopla everywhere.  There is a requirement that you wear some type of green clothing as this signifies your acceptance to celebrate the day.  As a by product of the day, it gives everyone an opportunity to trace their lineage back to the land of shamrocks, Ireland.

Easter
This is a religious holiday among the Christian faith.  According to the bible it celebrates the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead.  It is a very important date for the Christian faith and is celebrated by Christians around the world.

Somehow, however, the holiday also represents the Easter Bunny bringing eggs to children.  This part of the Easter tradition actually goes back to the late 1600's.  Today it is recognized with Easter egg hunts and baskets full of chocolate eggs, and bunnies.

Mother's Day
This is the most important day of the year.  Just ask your mother.  It is the one day set aside to recognize the tireless efforts by our mothers to turn us into mature adults.  If you look around you, you will see that not all mothers were successful  in this endeavor.  Nevertheless, it is our duty to recognize the effort not the result. Therefore, you must shower your beloved mother with extra love, flowers, candy, dinner, a Caribbean cruise, a new car, a new house, or whatever you so desire.  Most of all, remember this, call your mother.

Memorial Day
This is a National Holiday that is set aside to remember all those who gave their lives for this country.  Whether you agree with the wars we fought or not, it is important to recognize those who served and died in their effort.

Unfortunately for most people this holiday merely signals the beginning of summer and trips to the beach, and barbecues in the back yard.

However, there are some who take the time to remember and will continue to honor those that have served.


Fathers Day
Now it is dads turn for a day set aside just for him.  He most likely will be quite happy grilling some meat, sucking on a cold beer and watching a ball game, but go ahead and shower a little love on him anyway.  He may blush a little, but he will still enjoy it.

Independence Day
This is another day spent grilling, and hanging out at the beach and then fighting traffic to get back home.  Officially it is a celebration of our independence from those tyrannical people in England. Who would have thought they would become one of our closest allies.
It is another day that is strongly enjoyed by the fireworks industry as the rockets red glare can be seen almost everywhere.

Labor Day
For many people this holiday marks the end of summer.  It will be the last trip to the beach, the last big picnic and barbecue.  If the kids have not already started back at school they soon will.  It signifies the beginning of Autumn in our minds and back to the grind of work without holidays.  We look at the calendar and count the days until our next break at Thanksgiving and it seems so far away.  Thank God for football season to keep us going through these dark and dreary days.

Halloween
This pagan holiday of wearing disguises and frightening small children provides a very refreshing break in our hum drum lives as we watch the leaves fall from trees.  Halloween its truly a holiday for children and mentally deranged adults who never really grew up.
That being said, it is fun to watch as it unfolds and can be quite amusing at times.

Thanksgiving
Finally Thanksgiving has arrived.  This is the only 4 day weekend holiday.  Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, which means most people have off Friday and can therefore have a 4 day weekend.
Of course if you work in the retail industry, Thanksgiving reminds you how much you hate working in the retail industry because you get to work most of the weekend, including on Thanksgiving Day itself.
However, if people bought more online, you could have the day off....hint, hint.

Christmas
With the arrival of Christmas we have arrived at the end of the year of holidays in the US. Christmas is another Christian holiday, but the elements of Santa Claus, reindeer, elves and gifts seems to be the fun part.  That is not to say that the religious aspect is not important, but children go to the mall to sit on Santa's lap not to cozy up with baby Jesus.

Christmas is by far the longest holiday.  It starts for many people at Thanksgiving with decorating the house with colored lights, shopping for a dead tree, and the endless gift buying.  It literally lasts a month long, until thankfully, we can relax and get plowed on NewYear's Eve and start this insanity all over again.  Just ahead, another year of holidays in the USA.

Happy New Year!!

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