What followed is history and is known to every child who has studied history. As decided by the Queen Isabella, Queen of Spain who had financed the venture, the new lands discovered were claimed for Spain and Columbus received the title of “Admiral of all Ocean Seas”. He was given 10% of all the riches that were obtained. Needless to say, Columbus became a very rich man.

The Celebrations Begin

For hundreds of years, America did not celebrate Columbus Day. However, if we trace history of holiday traditions, in 1792 a ceremony was held in New York and a monument was dedicated to Columbus. The District of Columbia was named after him and in 1892, a statue of Columbus was erected at what is now the Columbus Avenue and replicas of Columbus’ ships were displayed.

Columbus Day began in earnest when Italians living in New York organized large parades on 12th of October 1866. Every year, larger numbers of Italians in the United States celebrated Columbus Day. In 1892, Columbus Day received official sanction of some sort when President Benjamin Harrison called upon people to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery. However, the day was still not declared a federal holiday yet.

Official Sanction

Only in 1905, was Columbus Day celebrated officially by a State. It was Colorado that observed the day first. Soon other States followed and in 1937, President Franklin D Roosevelt declared 12th October as Columbus Day. In 1971, the date was altered marginally to be the second Monday of every October and so it has been since then. Most federal offices, banks and post offices observe the holiday but markets, schools and private establishments do not. There are still a few states that do not observe the day and do not follow associated holiday traditions.

Many Native Americans are opposed to Columbus Day and its holiday traditions. They point to the fact that as a result of these discoveries, the natives were subjected to great suffering and nearly vanished. Natives also suffered greatly due to new diseases introduced to the continent, scrounges such as small pox wiped out entire settlements. People who are opposed to celebrating Columbus Day observe the day as the International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People. In fact, the opposition is slowly increasing as is evident from the National Council of Churches in the United States asking people to refrain from celebrating.

While the celebrations may be seeing some controversy, there can be no denying the courage and skill displayed by Columbus and his sailors. Columbus Day can therefore be taken as a celebration of Courage and Hope besides the discovery of a new Continent.

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In The Northeast

Autumn heralds a number of festivals in the northeast and in Warner, New Hampshire the Fall Foliage Festival is celebrated. The holiday tradition here is a wood chopping competition followed by an auction. Tourists drop in to enjoy the colors of the autumn leaves. In Pennsylvania, autumn is celebrated with cooking displays of traditional recipes. Seasonal festivals are also celebrated in spring when the holiday tradition is costumed parades.

In The South

In southern states, Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated in April or June. The holiday tradition here is the reenactment of battles. In the south spring is celebrated with dancing. In Louisiana, the Dixie Holiday sees the holiday tradition of square dancing and contests are held at the National Square Dance Festival in Kentucky. In Mississippi, there is dancing in the streets. Traditional food display can be seen in the folk fairs in the Midwest thanks to the diversity of the people here. May has the Tulip Festival celebrated by Orange City, Michigan, Iowa and Holland in honor of their Dutch descent.

From December 26 to January 1 is when the African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. This holiday relates to the first harvest, has its origins in 1966, and celebrates the unity of the African community.

The West

In the Midwestern states, there are many winter festivals celebrated. Minnesota has the Winter Carnival and you can see displays in skating, skiing, etc. In Michigan holiday tradition, you can participate in a contest for best ice sculpture.

As summer arrives, in the west, Idaho remembers Paul Bunyan and has tree cutting competitions. In Colorado at the annual summer Music Festival musicians perform and teach. Further down the coast in California there are historical plays performed to honor the Spanish settlers. In Oregon, the holiday tradition sees bands going on parade and playing music. The Daffodil Festival in Washington ushers in the spring with a parade of floats made of flowers. In Oklahoma, the holiday tradition of the Rattlesnake Roundup involves rounding up snakes.

Alaska has the midnight sun festival in June where the holiday tradition is raft races and baseball games played at midnight. In Hawaii, flower festivals are popular. The Narcissus Festival is during April and the most important celebration is Kamehameha Day on June 11. As part of this holiday tradition, you can see huge floats with people in costumes. King Kamehameha is also represented in the main float.

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To begin with, Labor Day and related holiday traditions have origins in the ghastly working conditions most of American labor faced during the nineteenth century. Working hours were seldom less than 12 and workplace safety was non-existent. Pay was a pittance and there was no security of work or pay. In short, the situation was ripe for what we now know as trade unionism.

The Genesis Of The Labor Movement

Peter McGuire was just another working hand, slogging it out day after day in the hope that he would get a break one day. The poor working conditions were beginning to make workers think of getting together and using their collective bargaining power to improve their lot. In 1872, Peter McGuire marched out in the streets with 100,000 workers who had gone on strike demanding better working conditions and pay.

Slowly, Peter McGuire began to move to the forefront of the labor movement. It was not an easy road. He was shunned by employers and the government as a troublemaker. Finally, in 1881, he was able to organize the Chicago into a national union. Peter McGuire was appointed the General Secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters of America.

The Brotherhood Forms

Slowly, the idea of a brotherhood took hold and workers in each trade began to organize themselves on the same lines and began to demand reasonable working conditions and pay along with a secure future. Finally, on the 5th of September the first Labor Day march was held and then it became a Labor Day holiday tradition. After walking through the city, the workers picnicked and celebrated with simple homemade food. The evening culminated with fireworks.

Slowly the idea of parades as holiday traditions on what was now beginning to be called Labor Day began to take hold. More and more states began to see these events. Finally, in 1894, Congress made it a federal holiday. It is believed that Congress quickly settled on the first Monday of September because choosing 1st May appeared to be supporting the socialist and the communist movement.

Coming as it is on the first Monday of September, Labor Day guarantees a three-day weekend. To most Americans, this is the last long weekend of summer and beaches and resorts are filled with people getting the last of the sun before winter sets in. As per one of the Labor Day holiday traditions, many people change their attire – beginning with changing the summer straw hats to felt after Labor Day.

Taken in perspective, the labor movement was bound to come because you cannot oppress people for long. The celebration of Labor Day and associated holiday traditions signals that exploitation and suppression of mankind is bound to result in a backlash. It is a warning to future exploiters.

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The True Meaning Of Candy Canes

Like many other holiday traditions, the candy cane also carries a great message. Whether it is the red and white color or its shape, everything has a significant meaning. The reason why it is white is that it symbolizes the purity of Christ and the peace that He brought for the world. The inclusion of the red stripes on the white color symbolizes the sacrifice Christ made for the welfare of the world. What is more, we all know that the traditional flavor of the candy cane is peppermint and there are reasons behind that as well. Very few people know that the flavor of peppermint is very much similar to hyssop. As per the Old Testament, hyssop was the material used for purification and sacrifice.

Shape Of The Candy Cane

As per holiday traditions, the shape of the candy cane also has lots of legend associated with the same. The shape of a modern day candy cane is the capital letter “J”, which obviously symbolizes Jesus. Not many people know that when this shape is turned upside down, it also symbolizes a shepherd’s staff.

Candy Cane And Children

In order to preserve the true meaning of Christmas, most parents follow the holiday traditions and engrave a candy cane ornament with their child’s name. This special candy cane is given to children at a young age, and the child passes through adolescence to adult age, preserving the candy cane as a precious symbol of tradition. As per holiday traditions, such practices keep the healthy traditions alive and once in a while children on growing up also pass on these special candy canes to their own children.

This way, we can see that the candy cane was designed as witness to Christ. Candy cane brings a rich history to the holiday traditions of Christmas. The most popular use of these candy canes in the modern day celebrations is that they are used as gifts to give to the loved ones. Even those who play Santa Claus on this special day and visit children, distribute candy canes as Christmas gifts. Candy cane is much more than a pretty window seal, a sweet tasting candy, or just a yard decoration. It is good to see that people are still celebrating and spreading happiness by distributing candy canes for Christmas celebration.

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General Holiday Traditions

Interestingly, since there are people from so many countries settled in the US, Christmas holiday tradition can be seen in a wide variety. But wherever you look, you will definitely see twinkling lights and a riot of color in decorations. As you walk down the street, you will see some amazing window displays at shops, attracting customers with vigor during this time of year. Homes are also decorated in a festive manner with lovely trees. Churches and in fact, many houses, follow the holiday tradition of building a little cr

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As per holiday tradition, families go off on picnics with delicious food. They spend the afternoon enjoying games, music, races and other special events like pie-eating competitions. Barbeques are the holiday tradition on this great day, and people are seen wearing the colors of the American flag – red, white and blue – everywhere. There are major parades everywhere from the morning and the famous fireworks are towards the end of the day in public places like parks, town squares, etc. Another holiday tradition also includes people turning out in costumes at these parades, resembling the great men who won us our freedom. High school bands play the music and these men in costume march to this tune. As the day draws to a close, it is time for fireworks, which is the biggest holiday tradition on the Fourth of July. No matter where an American is located across the world, they will never miss an Independence Day celebration.

Why Holiday Traditions On The Fourth Of July?

The fourth of July marks the greatest day in American history when the Continental Congress implemented the final draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. For a whole month this declaration was read out to the people and they rejoiced. The following year, Philadelphia celebrated by ringing bells, firing guns and lighting candles and firecrackers – making it the holiday tradition to follow for future generations of Americans. But the fourth of July was declared a federal holiday only in 1941. Today’s holiday traditions related to the Independence Day celebrations also include replays of historical events with actors wearing the appropriate costumes and as a grand finale, read out the Declaration of Independence out to the people.

The Independence Day holiday tradition followed in Arizona is a pow-wow that lasts for three days. They also have a rodeo show and a lot of dancing. In Pennsylvania where the Declaration was read for the first time, the people light innumerable candles at the park, floating in the water. As per their holiday tradition, they choose a Queen of Candles. In addition to this, at the Boston Harbor in Massachusetts where the USS John F Kennedy sails in, the Boston Pops Orchestra treats the people to all the patriotic songs of America as they watch the fireworks show.

A lesser-known holiday tradition related to the American Independence Day is for American people to tease the English on this day!

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Interesting Fact About Christmas Trees

There are lots of interesting facts regarding Christmas trees. For example, the fairy decorated at the top of the Christmas tree is one of the famous holiday traditions, but very few people know that in the earlier days of this tradition, the figurine of the baby Jesus was used instead of the fairy.

A Symbol Of Unity

Christian trees are considered as a symbol of unity. As per the holiday traditions, families gather around the Christmas tree to celebrate the festive occasion. This way, the tree plays an important role in bringing families and friends together. These special trees have been a part of Christmas for generations.

Real Vs Fake Christmas Trees

The commercialization of the holiday traditions has not been very good for the health of celebrations. The true meaning of Christmas is getting lost in the fake Christmas trees with plastic branches. Those who manage to have a real Christmas tree for the occasion feel themselves fortunate, as everybody knows how much it means to have a real Christmas tree. Celebrating joyful holiday traditions around a real Christmas tree has always been a great feeling. Celebrating Christmas is all about bringing families together with the chain of traditions, and there just cannot be a better way to do this than using a real traditional Christmas tree.

The Tradition Of Decorating Trees

As per a legend, Martin Luther was the first man who started the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. However, these holiday traditions entered the United States during the American Revolution most probably with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio or with Hessian troops. In fact, the celebration around the Christmas trees has gone through a long chain of development, and there are many legends associated with the same.

Overall, no matter how the holiday traditions for Christmas trees began, it has now become a symbol of real Christmas spirit. It brings a pleasant aroma of happiness and unity in our lives. Celebrating Christmas without the Christmas tree is just like celebrating Independence Day without hoisting the flag.

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Holiday Traditions On The Eve Of The New Year

On December 31, people in the US start their New Year celebrations. In most places, as per this holiday tradition, there are masquerade balls and costume parties where people dress up in interesting costumes and wear masks. At the stroke of midnight, they take off their masks and reveal who they are!

Of course, there are those who watch TV to celebrate the holiday. There is a live telecast of the Times Square in New York City. Just before midnight a lighted ball slowly makes its way from the top of a pole to the bottom on a building, with people keeping count of the time and the moment the ball touches the bottom the New Year sign goes on in a blaze of light. It is the cue for people to wish each other a happy New Year.

On New Year’s Day

Once the New Year’s Day dawns, people visit their families, friends and neighbors to share the first day of the year. They enjoy sumptuous food and drink as they wish each other. Most families follow the New Year’s Day holiday tradition of watching the Tournament of Roses parade on TV. After this parade, they watch the Rose Bowl football game being played in Pasadena in California. Way back in 1887 when the first ever parade was held, they used to have a row of horse drawn carriages decorated festively. This used to be followed by sports events and later, towards the end of the day, there was a ball in which the winners were announced. As time went by, the holiday tradition on this day involved colleges participating and competing in football games. Today, as per holiday tradition, the parade is as much as five miles long and there are thousands of people who take part in it, with the bands and on the floats. There are intricate flower arrangements done with pride and prominent City officers take part in the parade.

In other parts of the US, they have their own specific holiday tradition. In Florida, it is the Orange Bowl game and in Texas it is the Cotton Bowl. In Louisiana it is the Sugar Bowl. But wherever everyone is, they follow the universal holiday tradition of writing down New Year resolutions that they promise to keep!

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Each region in the US has its own holiday traditions on this auspicious day. In the southern states, the children sing civil war songs and recite poems. War veterans visit schools in full uniform replete with their medals and talk to the children about the glories of the Civil War. After this, accompanied by the people in the area, they march to the cemetery and decorate the graves. With the sound of rifles filling the air to salute the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation, people take pictures of themselves near the American flags at the graves of these brave soldiers.

Memorial Day holiday traditions are not just about the armed forces, it is a day that is cherished by families with loved ones who have passed on, being remembered with pride. They attend church services; visit the cemetery and place flowers on the graves. With summer just around the corner, many people go out to the beach or to the mountains to enjoy the holiday.

Holiday traditions related to Memorial Day in New York involve special activities. Here the people in the area hold special memorial services at the cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers and the American flag. At the park, at the spot where the monument for soldiers, sailors and marines is located, the Gettysburg address and Retired Major General Logan’s Order 11 are read. Village choirs perform the patriotic songs and towards evening children come out in parade.

The largest national cemetery in the US is the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. This is where prominent people from the armed forces, and others like explorers, astronauts are buried. President Kennedy is also buried here. Memorial Day holiday traditions here involve a walk by the Third US infantry soldiers in this cemetery. At each headstone a soldier of this special regiment plants a flag. There are close to two hundred thousand graves here.

Of no less importance is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier representing heroes of the World War I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The Civil War soldiers rest nearby. An important holiday tradition on Memorial Day is the participation of the President of the US when he delivers a speech and places a wreath on these tombs, while rifles are shot in the air to salute the heroes.

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