It honours Americans killed in all past wars and most recently all the death. Flowers and flags are replaced on the graves of the war-death. Quite antagonistic is Independence day. It is the national birthday. It commemorates the day on l776 when the Thirteen Colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence and established the USA. Each city and town noe has its own ceremony. There are parades, band concerts, speeches by public officials, and fireworks displays in the evenings. There is something common between this day and less-known Flag Day. It is celebrated by homes and bussinesses simply flying their flag - nothing else but it is also a national holiday. American flag has been a center of controversy. In the late 60's American students wore small flags sewn to theirs jeans bottoms as an insult to the American government protesting its involvment in the Vietnam War. Nowadays there are strick rules of using the flag in America: Never let the flag touch the ground or floor and always fold it when not in use. Fly the flag only in daytime. Do not use the flag to cover a table, ceiling or monument, and never write on it. When an important American dies, fly your flag at half way up the pole. Do not use the flag for advertising. You are also not supposed to use the American flag for clothing, but judging by its popularity for everything from jackets to running pants to shorts, I would say this rule has easily been violated more than once.

Labour Day, Columbus day, Veteran's day and Halloween is followed.

Thanksgiving day: After the first harvest of the Plymouth colonists, a day of thanksgiving and prayer was proclaimed to be shared by all the colonists and neighboring Indians at a great feast. The thanks were not only for the bountiful food, but also for the help of teaching them how to plant, hunt, fish, nad then cook foods that were strange and unknown to them. Gradually the custom prevailed in New England of celebrating a day of thanks giving after each annual harvest with a several feast. It became a national American holiday many years later possibily because of a women named Sarah Hale. She was writing to president of US fo 40 years asking for a holiday of thanksgiving. At last she was succesful with Abraham Lincoln. Nowadays it is celebrated by a traditional dinner which main course is roast turkey.

Christmas: Even though they are traditionaly a religious holiday, people are used to many secular celebrations.