Tài liệu An introduction to the United States

cine for needy children around the world. 
 Halloween originated as a celebration connected with evil spirits. Witches flying 
on broomsticks with black cats, ghosts, goblins and skeletons have all evolved as symbols 
of Halloween. They are popular trick-or-treat costumes and decorations for greeting cards 
and windows. Black is one of the traditional Halloween colors, probably because 
Halloween festivals and traditions took place at night. In the weeks before October 31, 
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Americans decorate windows of houses and schools with silhouettes of witches and black 
cats. 
 Pumpkins are also a symbol of Halloween. The pumpkin is an orange-colored 
squash, and orange has become the other traditional Halloween color. Carving pumpkins 
into jack-o'-lanterns is a Halloween custom also dating back to Ireland. A legend grew up 
about a man named Jack who was so stingy that he was not allowed into heaven when he 
died, because he was a miser. He couldn't enter hell either because he had played jokes on 
the devil. As a result, Jack had to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day. The 
Irish people carved scary faces out of turnips, beets or potatoes representing "Jack of the 
Lantern," or jack-o'-lantern. When the Irish brought their customs to the United States, 
they carved faces on pumpkins because in the autumn they were more plentiful than 
turnips. Today jack-o'-lanterns in the windows of a house on Halloween night let 
costumed children know that there are goodies waiting if they knock and say "Trick or 
Treat!" 
 Other celebrations 
 Although the United States is young compared to other countries, its culture and 
traditions are rich because of the contributions made by the many groups of people who 
have come to its shores over the past two centuries. Hundreds of regional holidays have 
originated from the geography, climate and history of the different parts of the country. 
Each state holds its own annual fair with local themes and music; and some celebrate the 
day on which they joined the Union and became a state. 
 One other day that most Americans observe, even though it is not an official 
holiday, is February 14, Valentine's Day, named for an early Christian martyr whose feast 
day was once observed on that day. On this day, Americans give special symbolic gifts to 
people they love. They also send special greeting cards called Valentines to such people. 
Most commonly, the gifts are candy or flowers. 
Other holidays such as "Groundhog Day" (February 2) are whimsically observed, at least 
in the media. The day is associated with folklore which has grown up in rural America. It 
is believed, by some, if the groundhog or woodchuck comes out of its hole in the ground 
and sees its shadow on that day it will become frightened and jump back in. This means 
there will be at least six more weeks of winter. If it doesn't see its shadow, it will not be 
afraid and spring will begin shortly. 
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 Flag Day is observed in the United States to commemorate the adoption of the 
Stars and Stripes by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. 
 Most of the celebrating of New Year's Day takes place the night before, when 
Americans gather in homes or restaurants or other public places to enjoy good food and to 
wish each other a happy and prosperous year ahead. Balloons and paper streamers, fire 
crackers and other noisemakers are all around at midnight when the old year passes away 
and the New Year arrives. Thousands join the Times Square celebration in New York to 
count down to the New Year - a celebration that's carried live on TV networks across the 
U.S 
Comprehension Check 
I/ Complete the diagram about types of American holidays 
II/ Matching: Match the celebrations with the names of the holidays. 
1. Green clothes are worn by Irish Americans, and parades are held in Irish American 
neighborhoods. 
2. Eggs are dyed and hidden, and a bunny gives candy to children. 
3. Gifts are exchanged around a tree. 
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4. Turkey is eaten as part of a large meal. 
5. Cards are sent by sweethearts, and heart-shaped boxes of candy are given as gifts. 
6. Jokes are played on friends and colleagues. 
7. Mothers are treated to breakfast in bed and a day of rest. 
8. Songs of freedom and equality are sung. 
9. Fireworks are displayed. 
10. Fathers are taken out to restaurants for dinner. 
11. Candles are lit for eight days. 
12. Workers are honored with a day off for picnics and outdoor fun. 
13. Champagne is drunk at midnight on the night before this holiday. 
14. Parades are held in Italian American neighborhoods. 
15. Plays about the presidents’ lives are shown in theaters. 
16. Prayers for peace are said at a memorial in Washington, D.C. 
17. Cemeteries are visited and flowers are placed on soldiers’ graves. 
18. Houses are decorated in orange and black, and children dress in costumes. 
19. Handmade cards are given to Dad. 
20. Cherry pies are eaten. 
21. Red and white carnations are worn by sons and daughters. 
22. Romantic cards are chosen for sweethearts. 
23. New clothes are worn to church. 
24. Carols are sung. 
25. A candle is lit each night. 
26. Cookout and picnics are held. 
27. Green beer is sometimes drunk. 
28. “April Fool!” is shouted after jokes. 
29. Black-eyed peas are eaten in the South. 
30. Football games are shown on television. 
31. Pools are closed for the summer. 
32. “Trick or treat!” is shouted. 
III/ Match the symbols with their names and the holidays they symbolize. 
___A shamrock __________ 
___A menorah __________ 
___A turkey __________ 
___Painted eggs __________ 
___Champagne and confetti ________ 
___A jack-o-lantern __________ 
___Wrapped presents __________ 
___A horn of plenty __________ 
___An evergreen tree __________ 
___A bunny __________ 
___A heart-shaped candy box ______ 
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IV/ Gap - filling 
1. In the United States, the word ‘holiday’ has the same meaning as ___________. 
2. If the New Year Day or Christmas day falls on Saturday, the Americans will have 
____________ days off work. 
3. The dates and the way of celebration of the federal holiday are decided upon by 
_____________. 
4. The first President whose birthday was taken as the first national holiday honoring 
the U.S. president is ____________. 
5. The __________ were the first to celebrate the Thanks Giving Day. 
6. _______________ is celebrated to honor Christopher Columbus, an 
________navigator. 
7. The Americans honor their fallen soldiers on _______________. 
8. The Americans eat ___________________ on Christmas Day. 
9. A Witch flying on broom stick with a black cat is the symbol of 
______________Day. 
10. Kwanzaa is held by the ___________ to celebrate the first harvest of the year. 
V/ True (T) or false (F)? 
1. The Presidents’ Day is to honor all the presidents of the United States. 
2. The Americans celebrate Thanks Giving Day to thank the Natives for their help 
with farming. 
3. All the offices, schools and businesses close on all the federal holidays. 
4. The American states don’t have to celebrate federal holidays on the same dates. 
5. Veterans’ Day is celebrated to honor all the retired American soldiers. 
Discussion: Our own holiday 
Work in a group of four. You are going to create a new holiday. Decide together: What is 
the significance (a day to honor students, pets, foreigners)? How will you celebrate 
your holiday? Complete the blanks: 
1. Holiday name: 
2. Date: 
3. Clothes we wear: 
4. Food we eat: 
5. Home decorations: 
6. Special activities 
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Funny lines 
1. I sent my wife to the seashore for a holiday and what a holiday I had. 
2. A holiday is a day when a man stops doing what his boss wants and starts doing 
what his wife wants. 
3. You can always tell the host at the party. He’s the one who is watching the clock. 
4. Dear Santa, I want a plane, my bike fixed and my violin busted. 
5. Why don’t women start wearing neckties so that men can get even with them at 
Christmas? 
6. What‘s your husband getting for Christmas? – Bald and fat. 
7. Is your Daddy home? - No, sir. He hasn’t been home since Mom caught Santa 
kissing the maid. 
8. Is that your real face or are you still celebrating Halloween? 
9. Labor Day is a day when no one does any. 
10. For Valentine’s Day my wife baked me a pizza in a heart shape. 
11. I gave my electrician some shorts for Christmas. 
12. I didn’t bother to hide any Easter eggs this year. The children didn’t find the ones I 
hid last year. 
13. The only thing she gives up for Lent is her New Year’s resolution. 
14. For this New Year’s Eve party I won’t need any noise- makers. I’m taking my 
wife. 
15. It was a Gay-90’s party. The men were all gays, the women 90. 
Recommended Songs 
 Auld Lang Syne 
 Silent Night 
 Over the River and Through the Wood 
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REFERENCE 
1. Abraham, Paul and Mackey, Daphne, Contact U.S.A, Prentice Hall Regent, 
2. Crandall, Joann and N. Kearny, Edward, American Ways, Prentice Hall Regent, 1997. 
3. Falk, Randee, Spotlight on the U.S.A, Oxford University Press, 1993. 
4. Fiedler, Richard, Jansen, Reimer and Risch, M.L Norman, American in Close up, Long 
man. 
5. Giannotti and Male Szwarcewicz, Suzanne, Talking About the United States, Hồ Chí 
Minh Publisher (dịch và chú giải Lê Huy Lâm). 
6. Kirn, Elaine, A Journey through America, Authors and Editors, 1991. 
7. Nguyen Quang, Intercultural Communication, HanoiVNU. 
8. Nguyen this Phuong Ngoc, Teaching American Culture with Songs, Research paper- 
Foreign Language Department, QNU. 
9. Tiersky, Ethel and Martin, Customs and Institutions, Prentice Hall Regents, 1990. 
10. Tomalin, Barry and Stempleski, Susan, Cultural Awareness, Oxford University Press, 
1993. 
 11. Wright, A, How to communicate successfully, Cambridge: CUP. 
Online Resources 
 Scholastic Teacher, www2.scholastic.com/