American Holidays

Holidays and observances are special days when people celebrate or honor a
person, an idea, or an event. People celebrate holidays by having parties or eating
special meals. They may also celebrate a holiday or an observance by thinking
about important people or ideas. On most holidays or days of observance,
government offices, banks, the post office, and schools close. Businesses, or
companies, sometimes close, too.

Days Honoring People

Many American holidays honor people. For example, Americans celebrate and honor
Martin Luther King, Jr., on the third Monday in January. King was one of the most
important civil rights leaders in American history. A civil rights leader is a person who
works to make sure that all Americans are treated fairly.

The United States also has Civil Rights Day on August 12. This day is an
observance. It honors people who helped make the United States a place where all
people are treated fairly.

Presidents' Day honors George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and all the other
people who have been presidents, or leaders, of the United States. Presidents' Day
is the third Monday in February.

On Memorial Day, Americans remember and honor the people who died while they
were in the U.S. military. The military includes all the groups of people that protect
and fight for the United States. Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in
May.

Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Labor Day celebrates people who work.
It also celebrates the good things workers have done to make the country strong.

Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Columbus Day

honors the explorer Christopher Columbus. In 1492, Columbus first sailed to the
Americas from Europe.

Veterans Day honors all the people who were part of the U.S. military. Veterans Day
is celebrated on November 11.

Holidays Honoring Ideas and Events

Some American holidays celebrate ideas and events. Flag Day is an observance of
the American flag and the ideas behind it. Americans honor the American flag on
Flag Day, which is June 14.

Independence Day (also called the Fourth of July) is celebrated on July 4. On July 4,
1776, American leaders said they wanted to be independent or free from Great
Britain. At that time, Great Britain controlled America. On Independence Day, people
in the United States celebrate their independence and freedom.

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. This is a

day when Americans give thanks for their family, health, food, and all the other
things they have.

Comprehension Test

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Holidays are special days when people celebrate

A. a person.

B. an idea.

C. an event.

D. all of the above.

2. The day that honors the people who died while in the U.S. military is

A. Presidents' Day.

B. Memorial Day.

C. Labor Day.

D. Civil Rights Day.

3. Americans celebrate their freedom on

A. Presidents' Day.

B. Veterans Day.

C. Independence Day.

D. Columbus Day.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

4. Martin Luther King Jr.was one of the most important ____ leaders in American
history.

5. ____ is the first Monday in September and celebrates people who work.

6. The ____ includes all the groups of people who protect and fight for the United
States.