Independence Day
4th July

Independence Day is regarded as the birthday of the United States as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it the "Fourth of July," on which date it always falls.

Halloween
31st October

All Hallow's Eve, usually called Hallowe'en (Hallows Eve), is followed by All Hallows' Day which is also know as All Saints Day (All Hallows' Day). The next day is All Souls' Day, and the three day period is a perfect example of superstition struggling with religious belief. Halloween was a time for making mischief - many parts of England still recognise Halloween as Mischief Night - when children would knock on doors demanding a treat (Trick or Treat) and people would disguise themselves as witches, ghosts, kelpies and spunkies, in order to obtain food and money from nervous householders.

Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November

Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November, but many Americans take a day of vacation on the following Friday to make a four-day weekend, during which they may travel long distances to visit family and friends. The holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts. After a rough winter, in which about half of them died, they turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The next fall's bountiful harvest inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a feast. To this day, Thanksgiving dinner almost always includes some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, pumpkin pie. Before the meal begins, families or friends usually pause to give thanks for their blessings, including the joy of being united for the occasion.

Christmas
25th December

Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December in England. During the weeks before Christmas Day, they send cards, watch nativity plays and go to carol services. On the Christmas Eve (24th December) they decorate their homes and churches with green leaves, paper decorations and colourful electric lights. The Christmas Day is the favourite day of all children. They wake up very early in the morning to find their stockings have been filled by Father Christmas and excitedly unwrap the presents before going down to breakfast. A traditional Christmas dinner, which is usualy at mid-day, includes roast turkey, brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce, rich nutty stuffing, tiny sausages wrapped in bacon and lashings of hot gravy. For pudding (dessert) there's always a rich, fruity pudding which you douse in flaming brandy – said to ward off evil spirits.

Christmas in USA isn’t very different. They also decorate their houses, eat similar dinner and unwrap presents on the Christmas Day.

My opinion

I think there are quite interesting traditions both in the USA and England, but I refuse to take them over blindly. I accept St. Valentine's Day, but I feel Halloween didn’t find any response in Slovakia. Every country has its own original customs and it depends only on peple if they keep it.