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Lesson XIII. American holidays

In the year 1620, a ship named the "Mayflower" brought 107 English men, women and children to the rocky coast of what is now Massachusetts, one of the 50 states of the United States of America. The ship's passengers were Puritans - members of a religious sect which was unpopular in Britain because its members wanted to reform the Church of England.

It was late in the year when the Pilgrims landed and founded the colony

that they called Plymouth. The winter was cold, and about half of the Pilgrims died. In the spring, with advice and help from the Indians, with whom they lived in peace, the Pilgrims planted corn (known also as maize) and other crops and prepared as well as they could for the next winter.

In October 1621, to celebrate the good harvest the Pilgrims held a feast which featured, among many other foods, wild turkey, which is native to North America. They called this their day of thanksgiving, held to thank their God for his blessings.

Thanksgiving.

The holiday is now observed on the fourth Thursday of November. It is marked by families gatherings together to enjoy a traditional dinner of roast turkey, and to speak to one another of the things for which they are thankful. If the parents are elderly, their adult children or some other relative will prepare the dinner. Only the most essential businesses remain open that day and workers who must work in these businesses arrange for a family dinner later in the day or the next day so that all have the Thanksgiving feast.

Christmas.

Christmas is a most important religious holy day for Christians, who attend special church services to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Because it is a religious holy day, it is not an official holiday. However, since most Americans are Christians, the day is one on which most businesses arc closed and the greatest possible number of workers, including government employees, have the day off. Many places of business even close early on the day before Christmas. When Christmas falls on a Sunday, the next day is also a holiday.

Valentine's day and halloween.

One other day that most Americans observe, even though it is not an official holiday, is February 14, Valentine's Day, named for an early Christian martyr whose feast day was once observed on that day. On this day, Americans give special symbolic gifts to people they love. They also send special greeting cards called Valentines to such people. Most commonly, the gifts are candy or flowers.

Halloween, the last day of October, has a special significance for 36 children, who dress in funny or ghostly costumes and knock at neighborhood doors. After shouting "Trick or Treat!" they are given gifts of candy or money. Originally a religious holiday the evening before All Saints or All - Hallows Day, Halloween is now celebrated by Americans more according to ancient Celtic pagan traditions. Some children collect money on this day to help children of other nations through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Tasks:

Read the texts.

II. How well have you read? Can you answer the following questions?

1. Whom did the „Mayflower" ship bring to North America in 1620?

2. Why did the Puritans leave England9

3. When did the Pilgrims found the colony?

4. What does the Thanksgiving Day signify for Americans?

5. Where is it traced to?

6. What is Thanksgiving Day marked by?

7. What is the most important religious holy day for Christians?

8. What is observed on February 14?

9. What do Americans give to one another on this day?

10. What holiday has a special significance for children? Why?

III. Give Russian equivalents to the following English word combinations:

to found a community; to practice the religion; pilgrims feast; to celebrate the good harvest; the holiday is observed on; religious holiday; to give symbolic gifts; greeting cards; to dress in ghostly costumes; ancient pagan tradition; All Saints.

IV. Give English equivalents to the following word combinations;

скалистый берег; религиозная секта; основать общину; пилигрим: по совету индейцев; устраивать праздник в честь хоро­шего урожая; День Благодарения; жареная индейка; семейный праз­дник; церковные службы; религиозный праздник; Рождество; День Святого Валентина; христианский мученик; символические подар­ки; языческие традиции; первоначально; иметь особое значение для детей.

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