How to Talk about American Holidays in English | Denglisch Docs

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Hi, everyone! And welcome to Denglisch Docs!

In American culture, most people love holidays, which are Holy Days, or special days, when we acknowledge important national, cultural, or religious events. Let’s unwrap some of these important dates and the English terms we use when we celebrate.
On January 1st, we celebrate New Year’s Day, but the festivities start the night before, on New Year’s Eve, when we gather with family and friends or in larger crowds to party, drink champagne, and watch the Times Square Ball drop in New York City. Ten seconds before midnight we count down from 10 to 1 and when the clock strikes 12, we shout, “Happy New Year!”

On the third Monday of January, Americans remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for civil rights. We call this day Martin Luther King Day, or MLK Day for short. We don’t say, “Happy Martin Luther King Day” on this holiday because it’s a day of reverence.
On February 14th, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. We give presents like candy, flowers, paper hearts, and cards to the people we love and say, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Of course, you can wish family and friends “Happy Valentine’s Day,” but it’s really a special day to share with the people we love romantically.

On March 17th, we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. This is primarily an Irish holiday, but non-Irish people like to celebrate too. We dress in green, go to parades, where shamrocks and leprechauns are popular themes. Some people also go to Irish pubs to drink beer.
The last Monday in May is Memorial Day. This is a day when we honor the brave people who have died in the military. Many Americans go to parades, ceremonies, and visit cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of soldiers. Others go to beaches or have barbecues to enjoy the first “three-day weekend” of summer.

On July 4th, or Independence Day, Americans celebrate the nation's birthday and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We have parades and barbeques. We also display fireworks and say, “Happy 4th of July” to everyone we greet.
On October 31st, we celebrate Halloween. It’s a day when kids and adults, called ‘trick-or-treaters,’ dress up in costumes and go door-to-door asking for candy. We shout, “Trick or treat” when people open their doors. Many Americans also put spooky decorations on their homes and carve pumpkins called jack-o’-lanterns.

On November 11th, we celebrate Veterans Day to honor all of the members of our military, past and present. If you see a service member, which is what we call someone who has served in any branch of our armed forces, it’s customary to say, “Thank you for your service.”

On the fourth Thursday of November, we celebrate Thanksgiving. We gather with friends and family to give thanks in commemoration of America’s first harvest. Americans cook large meals, which usually include turkey, and eat together. Many also enjoy parades and watch American football games on television.

In America, the holiday season begins the day after Thanksgiving beginning with Black Friday. Black Friday isn’t a holiday, but it’s a special day in the U.S. because most stores stay open longer and start having holiday sales, which means they lower the prices of products. Black Friday until New Year’s Day is referred to as the Holiday Season. People usually say, “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” to one another during the twelve days leading up to Christmas.

From December 26 until the 31st, many African-Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. This is a seven-day holiday when African-Americans exchange gifts and celebrate their culture by highlighting seven cultural principles called the Nguzo Saba. These are unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. It’s customary to light candles on a candle holder called a Kinara and have a communal feast, which is a family dinner, or community dinner. We say, “Happy Kwanzaa” to people who observe this holiday.

On New Year’s Eve, we party, count down, and have fun until New Year’s Day when our holidays start all over from day one.