Friday- Lincoln's Birthday: Abraham Lincoln is on the penny and the $5 bill because he is remembered as one of the most important presidents. He faced the biggest crises in American history for the country when the southern states wanted to separate from the country and become independent in order to continue the practice of using slave labor. The American Civil War kept the country in tact.
Saturday- Lunar New Year: Celebrated in China, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, and Vietnam, Lunar New Year is a major holiday for people from those countries. In New York City, big parades and other festivities in Flushing and Manhattan mark the beginning of the Year of the Tiger.
Sunday- St. Valentine's Day: Known for the day to show your sweetheart how much you love them with candy, flowers, balloons, and greeting cards, this holiday has an interesting history. Watch a video about it from the History Channel.
Monday-President's Day: There's some debate about this federal holiday.
Tuesday- Mardi Gras: French for "Fat Tuesday" this day is the last before the Catholic season of Lent which is similar to Ramadan in Islam. Instead of having a marking the end of the month of fasting, Catholics try to indulge in everything before the month by partying. In Latin America and some European countries Mardi Gras is known as Carnival.
Wednesday- Ash Wednesday: Christians mark the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. People go to church and have ashes of burned palm leaves put on their foreheads, exactly in the same spot as Hindus wear their bindis. It signifies the cycle of life and death because the priest says, "You are made from dust and to dust you will return" as he puts the ashes on their heads.
Assignments, announcements, and resources for the students and graduates of Queens Community House English Classes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment