Cultural Studies: Holidays - Learning English Online

Holidays

A holiday is a day on which a festival, religious event, or national celebration is traditionally observed. The day usually has a special significance for individuals, a government, or a religious group. The word "holiday" is derived from "Holy Day". Holidays are observed and celebrated around the world. However, each country and culture has their own special holidays, often depending on their history.

In this section, we will introduce to you the most important holidays of the English-speaking countries USA, UK and Australia. We will not consider holidays like Christmas, Easter or New Year's Eve, because they are celebrated around the world and are not a particular feature of the presented countries.

Holidays in the USA

Each American state government determines the official holidays for their state. Malls, shopping centres and most other businesses close only on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but remain open on all other holidays. The "big seven" holidays in the USA are: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Overview

Holidays in the UK

The UK comprises the countries England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Some holidays, like New Year's Day, Easter or Christmas Day, are in all four countries. Other holidays, however, like St. Patrick's Day, aren't public holidays in the whole UK. There are also holidays in the UK that are not (yet) established by law.

Overview

Holidays in Australia

in Australia are declared on a state and territory basis. That means that each state of Australia determines their public holidays schedule. However, there are also some national public holidays that are observed in every Australian state, like New Year's Day, Easter or Anzac Day. Traditionally, workers were entitled to get a day off work on a public holiday.

Overview

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