Life in the U.S.: Holidays That Are Celebrated in the Land of the Free (Part 2)

Pursuing your American dream is not a bed of roses. Aside from securing necessary documents, taking the IELTS test is one of the steps required to live temporarily (either to work or to study) in the U.S.

This English assessment exam accurately measures your proficiency level. Your results can heavily influence the opportunities you can access in America given that most educational institutions and employers require certain scores from potential international students or employees. Thus, taking IELTS preparation courses is highly recommended.

Adjusting to life in the U.S. includes observing American holidays. Do not let the unfamiliar environment and people hinder you. Instead, embrace and explore the unknown. Immerse in the American culture and discover some of the things that only those who are living in the Land of Liberty can experience. Partaking in U.S.-specific celebrations is one of these privileges.

There are eight America-specific holidays. In continuation to the previous article, here are four other holidays that are celebrated in the U.S.:

5. Labor Day
Official celebration date: First Monday of September
Established 2017 date: Sept. 4

Initially organized to acknowledge the various contributions of workers and labor unions to America’s economy, Labor Day now celebrates the accomplishments of laborers from all walks of life. Public and private employees are given a well-deserved paid leave as all government agencies and companies are closed for the day. Some organizations use this day to voice out their concerns about the country’s labor practices.

Most countries commemorate Labor Day on May 1. International Worker’s Day, also known as “May Day,” is a celebration for workers from all walks of life. More than 80 countries consider this occasion a public holiday, in which laborers are given a well-earned paid rest day to celebrate.

The U.S. chose to celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September to add a holiday between the five-month break between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. The former is held in July, while the latter is celebrated in November.

6. Columbus Day
Official celebration date: Second Monday of October
Established 2017 date: Oct. 9

Columbus Day is the controversial celebration of Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World. Many people question its commemoration since Columbus’s ventures have eradicated numerous indigenous groups.

Including the explorer’s arrival in America in your IELTS preparations can boost not only your vocabulary but also your knowledge of its culture and history.

Though it is a federal government holiday, not all U.S. states acknowledge this celebration. Those who do organize community events, parades and church services.

Some states celebrate Native Americans’ Day or Indigenous People’s Day on the second Monday of October to honor the original inhabitants of the New World. People commemorate this event by acknowledging and sharing the heritage of Native Americans through various events that highlight their culture, traditions and practices.

7. Veterans Day
Official celebration date: Nov. 11

Not to be confused with the U.S. Memorial Day that commemorates the sacrifice of service members who died in the line of duty, Veterans Day is a celebration in honor of all American war veterans. Various states organize patriotic events. In the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, an annual wreath-laying ceremony is held.

Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day commemorates the declaration of a temporary ceasefire between Germany and the Allied nations in World War I. Though the U.S. celebrated Armistice Day from the year after the historic declaration, the government decided to convert it into a full-fledged legal federal holiday in 1938. It was renamed Veterans Day after the World War II and Korean War in honor of those who sacrificed their lives during battle.

8. Thanksgiving Day
Official celebration date: Fourth Thursday of November
Established 2017 date: Nov. 23

As the name implies, Thanksgiving is a day dedicated to giving thanks to what you have. Families and friends gather and share a special meal during this holiday. Thanksgiving dishes often include turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes and pumpkin pie. It also marks the beginning of the yuletide season in the U.S.

Historians traced the beginning of this tradition in 1621 in Plymouth Plantation when pilgrims celebrated their good harvest by inviting Native Americans to a feast. Despite being one of the most-awaited holiday events in the States, Thanksgiving is not without its controversies.

Many critics argue that the deceptively pleasant portrayal of the relationship between the British pilgrims and the Native Americans masks the bloody history shared by the two nations. Millions of Native Americans died at the hands of the foreign settlers.

Including the conflicted background of this occasion in your IELTS test review can add depth to your historical knowledge of the continent.

All things considered, the Land of Liberty has a lot of holidays that reflect its rich culture and history. Celebrations in honor of the significant events that helped shape the U.S.’s development are scattered throughout the year.

Living in the U.S. not only allows you to participate in these commemorative occasions but also lets you immerse in the American spirit and lifestyle.