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separate restaurants, and sit at the back of public buses. Jews and sometimes Roman Catholics were kept out of many clubs and neighbourhoods. And people of one race were not allowed to marry people from other races.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and '60s tried to change the situation. The Supreme Court ruled that public schools must allow children of all races to attend. Immigration laws were changed. And the government passed other laws that made it illegal to treat people differently because of their race.
Religion, Holidays, and Festivals
Many of the first Europeans came to America to escape countries where they could not practise their religion freely. The US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and there is no official religion. About 77% of Americans consider themselves Christian. Jews make up 1.3% of the population, and Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus about 0.5% each. A growing number of Americans (about 14%) do not claim any religion.
Most national public holidays in the United States are not connected to one particular religious or ethnic group. One exception to this is Christmas, which is an important Christian holiday, but which is celebrated by many non-Christians in a nonreligious way. Around the same time of year as Christmas, Jews celebrate Hanukkah, and some African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, a festival that includes elements of Christmas, Hanukkah, and African traditions.
Music and Food
When people think about American food, they often imagine large portions of meat and potatoes, fried food, or fast food. But this is not the only food that Americans eat. The many immigrants who have come to the US have brought their native food with them, and ethnic food is very popular. Even very small towns will have Chinese, Mexican, and Italian restaurants. In large cities, you can find any kind of food you want.
nachos
Chinese food
Different ethnic groups have also added to American musical culture. Salsa music and dance was introduced by Puerto Ricans and Cubans. And African-Americans are responsible for the creation of jazz, rhythm and blues, rap, hip-hop and other music and fashion trends that have become popular around the world.