Lincoln's Birthday

February, 15.

Washington's Birthday

Americans consider birthdays of their outstanding citizens George Washington and Abraham Lincoln public holidays.

Washington is called "the father of the nation" for he was the first president of the United States of America. The capital of the country, Washington D. C., was named in his honour and was moved from Philadelphia.

Abraham Lincoln is considered by many the greatest of all American heroes. During his term as President the Civil War broke out. The most outstanding achievements of the Lincoln presidency were the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery.

May, 30.

Memorial Day

This day was first established to honour the dead in the war between the North and the South, a mournful remembrance of the fallen.

July, 4.

Independence Day

This is the most important holiday of the nation, which celebrates Ms birthday. On this day in 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the famous Declaration of Independence declaring the former British colonies free, thus founding the United States of America.

October, 19.

Columbus Day

Christopher Columbus, an Italian, discovered the American continents in 1492 by accident, while seeking a short route to Asia. Thus, he called the natives the Indians and the islands he explored, the West Indies which bear these names to this day. This event is widely celebrated in most Latin American countries as well. The District of Columbia was named in his honour as well as many cities, squares and streets.

November, 11.

Veteran's Day

This day, like Memorial Day, is a solemn occasion in honour of all American veterans of all wars. In many communities veterans march in parades, national flags are displayed, special ceremonies, observing two minute's silence, are held at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

November, 24.

Thanksgiving Day

It is the oldest national holiday. The pilgrims, the first English settlers searching for religious freedom, came on May/lower to Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts, in 1620. They suffered a very hard year. By the autumn of the next year assisted by the Indians they had a good harvest. And a feast was given of turkey corn and pumpkin pie to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to God for their survival. The old traditions of their feast are observed throughout the country today.

December, 25.

Christmas

Christmas is a great American and British festivity, very rich in custom and tradition — with Santa Claus, the decorating of the Christmas tree, of card sending and gift giving. It is celebrated as the birthday of Christ. Now it is becoming more and more a folk holiday. It has always been observed as a family affair.

List of irregular verbs

BASE FORM PAST SIMPLE PAST PARTICIPLE

Verbs which are the same in all three forms

cost cost cost

cut cut cut

hit hit hit

hurt hurt hurt

let let let

put put put

set set set

shut shut shut

Verbs which have the same form for Past Simple and Past Participle

bend bent bent

bring brought brought

build built built

burn burnt burnt

buy bought bought

catch caught caught

dig dug dug

dream dreamt (dreamed) dreamt (dreamed)

feed fed fed

feel felt felt

find fount fount

get got got

have had had

hear heard heard

hold held held

keep kept kept

lay laid laid

learn learnt (learned) learnt (learned)

leave left left

lend lent lent

lose lost lost

make made made

mean meant meant

meet met met

read read read

say said said

sell sold sold

send sent sent

shine shone shone

shoot shot shot

sit sat sat

sleep slept slept

slide slid slid

smell smelt smelt

spend spent spent

stand stood stood

teach taught taught

tell told told

think thought thought

understand understood understood

win won won