Country. Symbols of the USA. Holidays in the USA
State symbols: 1. The flag of the USA The flag of the US (also known as Old Glory, Stars and Stripes) consists of 13 horizontal stripes, 7 red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice. 2. The US Great Seal The image from the obverse (front) of the Great Seal is often used informally as national arms of the USA. The main figure on the obverse of the seal is a bald eagle. From the eagle’s perspective, it holds a bundle of 13 arrows in its left talon, (referring to the 13 original states), and an olive branch, in its right talon, together symbolizing that the United States of America has “a strong desire for peace, but will always be ready for war”. 2.3. The USA bird symbol The bald eagle was chosen because of it’s majestic beauty, great strength, long life, and because it’s native to North America. 2.4. The USA national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem (гимн) of the United States of America. The lyrics come from a poem written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key. Holidays There are 10 annual (New Year’s Day; M. L. King’s day; G. Washington’s Birthday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran’s Day; Thanksgiving; Christmas) Christmas Christmas is a most important religious holy day for Christians, who attend special church services to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas is not only a religious holy day, but became one of the first federal holidays in 1870. New Year’s Day In the United States, the federal holiday is January first, but Americans begin celebrating on December 31. Sometimes people have masquerade balls, where guests dress up in costumes and cover their faces with masks. Memorial Day This holiday, on the fourth Monday of every May, is a day on which Americans honor the dead. Originally a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered the same way. Independence Day Independence Day is regarded as the birthday of the United States as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it the “ Fourth of July ”, on which date it always falls. Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November. Thanksgiving is a time for tradition and sharing. Even if they live far away, family members gather for a reunion at the house of an older relative. All give thanks together for the good things that they have. Turkey, corn (or maize), pumpkins and cranberry sauce are symbols which represent the first Thanksgiving. “Indian corn” as a table or door decoration represents the harvest and the fall season.
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