A18
Easter Sunday - March or April
The day when
Christians
celebrate the
RESURRECTION
of Christ. People
give each other
EASTER EGGS
and EASTER
BASKETS. In
the US, children
believe that these
are brought by the EASTER BUNNY.
Mother's Day, also
Mothering Sunday
the fourth Sunday in Lent
A day in the UK when people give presents and
cards to their mother. Mothers are often taken out
for lunch, and usually do not have to do the work
they normally do. Mother's Day in the US is later in
the year.
April Fools' Day
1st April
In the US and UK, a day when people and
newspapers, radio programmes etc play tricks on
people by making them believe something that is not
true. One of the most famous April Fools' tricks in the
UK was when a serious DOCUMENTARY programme
on television called Panorama showed trees in Italy
that had SPAGHETTI growing on them.
May Day
1st May
In the past, this was the day when people welcomed
the arrival of spring by dancing around a MAYPOLE.
The first Monday in May is a public holiday in the UK.
May Day is connected with workers and LEFT-WING
political parties.
Mother's Day
the second Sunday in May
A day in the US when people give presents and
cards to their mother. Mother's Day in the UK is
earlier in the year.
Memorial Day
the last Monday in May
A holiday in the US to remember soldiers killed in
wars —see also VETERANS DAY. In the UK, the last
Monday in May is also a bank holiday, called late
May bank holiday.
Flag Day
14th June
A day when US people fly the US flag,
remembering the day in 1777 when the STARS AND
STRIPES (=the US flag) was officially accepted and
first used.
Father's Day
the third Sunday in June
A day in the US and UK when people give presents
and cards to their father.
Battle of the Boyne
the Monday nearest to 12th July
A bank holiday in Northern Ireland, when
PROTESTANTS celebrate a battle in 1690 when King
WILLIAM III of England defeated JAMES II, a Catholic
and the former King of Britain. The ORANGEMEN
(=members of a society of Protestants in Northern
Ireland) march through the streets.
Fourth of July, also
Independence Day
4th July
A national holiday when the people of the US
celebrate their independence from England in 1776
with PARADES, PICNICS, and FIREWORKS.
August Bank Holiday
the last Monday in August
A holiday in the UK, when people have a final
celebration before the end of summer. There are
many outdoor events held on this weekend, such as
the NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL.
Labor Day
the first Monday in September
A national holiday in the US. It was originally held to
show support for workers, but now many people
celebrate it as the end of summer with PICNICS and
BARBECUES.
Columbus Day
12th October
A public holiday in many US states, to celebrate the
discovery of America by Christopher COLUMBUS.
31st October
The day when, in the past, people believed that
the spirits of dead people appeared. Especially in the
US, children celebrate Halloween by dressing up as
WITCHES, GHOSTS etc and going TRICK OR TREATING.