Holiday Informative

holidays celebrated around the world

Fourth of July

America's birthday

Chinese New Year

brings good fortune and luck

Groundhog Day

determines early spring or longer winter

national, cultural, and religious holidays to be enjoyed

Freedom from Great Britain

Revolutionary War

Declaration of Independence signed 1776

Thomas Jefferson wrote it

Jefferson and Adams died 50 years later on July 4th

American flag

red, white, blue

50 stars for the states

13 stripes for the colonies

Patriotic songs

Star Spangled Banner

America the Beautiful

God Bless America

fireworks

parades

BBQs

hotdogs

150 million are eaten on this day

hamburgers

french fries

corn on the cob

Coney Island Hotdog eating contest

annual tradition

celebrates the first day of the month in the Chinese calendar

also known as Spring Festival

falls between January 21st and February 20th

this year it starts on February 12th

lasts for 15 days

last day is the Lantern Festival

most important night to celebrate is night before

started thousands of years ago

on that day the Chinese defeated lion-like dragon, Nian

an animal is associated with each year

For example, this year is the ox

how it is celebrated

fireworks/firecrackers

to scare off evil spirits

dragon dance

part of a parade

red envelopes

used to give money

an even amount is good luck

the color red

for clothes and decorations

symbolizes joy and happiness

cleaning their house

to get rid of any of last year's bad luck

some items are bad luck

a knife

on the first day

predicts the weather for the next six weeks

shadow means 6 more weeks of winter

no shadow means spring comes early

takes place on February 2

weather forecasters and entertainers celebrate

started with the Germans

called Candlemas

largest celebration in Punxsutawney, PA

groundhog Phil predicting weather since 1886

lives in a climate controlled home in a local library

Groundhog day movie 1993 with Bill Murray

famous movie about holiday

celebrations are something people always look forward to

Fourth of July

entertained by firework shows

Chinese New Year

known for parade of dragon dances

Groundhog Day

predicts future weather

holidays, big or small, are exciting for all