Valentine's Day(情人节) --February 14

St. Valentine's Day is an informal observance (非正式的庆祝) of a lover's holiday. Today, the observance has no connection with the many legendary (传说的) St. Valentines, and holds no religious significance. The day is observed with exchanges of love notes and cards, and other tokens(标志) of affection(感情), called valentines. The symbols of the heart and Cupid(丘比特) are common in cards, decorations of store windows, candies and other paraphernalia(随身物品). Traditional valentines were frilly(装饰的) sweet, and tender(温情的) affairs made of red and white paper and lace(花边) with cutouts(剪下的图样) and cupids. The custom of sending cards, giving candy, and other such tokens has caught a great deal of commercial enthusiasm(积极性). Many stores, for instance, decorate(装饰) seasonally, or a according to calendar holidays(日历). Valentine's Day is the first excuse for splashy(显眼的) valentine theme(主题) dominates stationery(文具) stores, candy stores, confectioneries(甜食制造业), and quite often drug stores where cards and candy are sold.

Easter（复活节）--The first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (春分)

Easter is important for several reasons. Primarily it is a time for families to get together much like Christmas or Thanksgiving. They usually have a large meal and serve traditional dishes such as baked ham(火腿). In addition, there is a commercial aspect(商业特征) of Easter. It is a time when manufacturers(制造商) of candy and chocolate can sell their products. They make chocolates in the shape of eggs and rabbits since those things are associated with spring and Easter. Finally, Easter is a religious holiday. Many Americans go to church on that day if they are Christians to celebrate the resurrection(耶酥复活) of Christ. Symbols which we see at Easter are chicks, flowers, eggs, baskets for children to dye Easter eggs and then to hide them. Other children look for the eggs and collect them in baskets. People often get new clothes for spring for around Easter time.

April Fool's Day 愚人节 – April 1st

April Fool's Day is the first day of April. The sport of the holiday is to play silly but harmless jokes on family members, co-workers, and friends. A victim of one of these pranks is called an April fool. If one succeeds in tricking someone, one laughs and says, `April Fool`, and then the person who has been tricked usually laughs, too. This holiday originated in France. When the French first adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1564, some people continued to use the old calendar to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1.These people were called April Fools. The custom of playing tricks on this day became popular in France and then spread to many other countries.

Halloween 万圣节 -- October 31st

This is a holiday widely celebrated with different name in many countries .Although it originated as a religious holiday, it has lost its religious connections in the United States. It is now celebrated largely as a children's day, and many American children look forward to it for days and weeks beforehand. The orange pumpkin is harvested at this time of year and is hollowed(挖空) out, a funny face cut into it, and a candle placed

inside as a decoration(装饰) in the window. Nowadays, sometimes use paper pumpkins for decorations. Some years ago, the holiday was celebrated by dressing up in strange and frightening costumes(戏服) and playing tricks(戏弄) on one's neighbors and friends, such as ringing door bells, throwing bits of corn(谷物) on the window panes(窗格玻璃), and in other ways making minor disturbances(小骚扰).

Christmas Day 圣诞节

Christmas is a joyful religious holiday when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas story comes from the Bible (圣经). To people all over the world, Christmas is a season of giving and receiving presents. In Scandinavian and other European countries, Father Christmas, or Saint Nicholas, comes into houses in the night and leaves gifts for the children. Saint Nicholas is represented as a kindly man with a red cloak and long white beard. He visited houses and left gifts, bringing people happiness in the coldest months if the year.

NEW YEAR’S DAYS 新年

The familiar greeting heard throughout the United States on January First has a counterpart in every land. The words may be different and the dates may vary, but New Year greetings everywhere express the hope for renewed life and happiness. Whether the New Year's Eve party is in a luxurious hotel ballroom or in modest home, it will be gay, noisy and glittery. The music will be loud and carefree, and there will be bright colors, festive foods, and high good spirits to make this last night of the year one of fun and frivolity. At midnight everyone joins hands and signs, "We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for Auld Lang Syne."

Spring Festival 春节

China's traditional festivals have evolved （演化，发展）through the centuries from past major events. For instance, long ago when people had a bountiful harvest, they gathered and celebrated their good fortune with gala performances（盛大的演出）. When natural disasters struck, they offered sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors, hoping for a blessing（保佑）. The change of the seasons, flowers in spring, and the bright moon in autumn could all arouse their longing for a more beautiful life. Thus, creative activities were held to signify these events. Gradually these activities developed into festivals.

Thanksgiving Day 感恩节--Thanksgiving Day is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

It is the most traditional of American holidays. The first Thanksgiving was held in Massachusetts in 1621. After a year of great hardship, the Pilgrim (清教徒) colonists wanted to give thanks to God for their first harvest. They invited their Indian friends to join them in big feast. Today the holiday is still celebrated as a day for giving thanks. It is a day of family reunion and it is customary to invite friends to share the meal.

第二篇：西方节日(英文版部分)

Thanksgiving Day, as celebrated in North America, is a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings enjoyed by these nations and their citizens. However, to many people, its meaning is lost. It has become simply another day for huge meals, dinner parties, get-togethers or reunions. What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

Turkey dinners, cranberries, candied yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and family gatherings—these are all commonly associated with most Americans’ and Canadians’ yearly celebration of giving thanks—Thanksgiving Day!

西方节日英文版

日期：2008-10-28

访问次数：842

January

1 New Year's Day (新年）

15 Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday

19 Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Observed

February

12 Lincoln's Birthday

14 Valentine's Day （情人节）

16 President's Day

22 Washington's Birthday

25 Ash Wednesday

March

8 International Women's Day（国际妇女节） 17 St. Patrick's Day

April

1 April Fools Day （愚人节）

5 Palm Sunday

10 Good Friday

Arbor Day （植树节）

11 Passover

12 Easter （复活节）

17 Orthodox Holy Friday

19 Orthodox Easter

22 Secretaries Day

22 Earth Day

May

6 Nurses'Day

7 National Day of Prayer

10 Mother's Day （母亲节）

16 Armed Forces Day

25 Memorial Day Observed

30 Memorial Day

June

14 Flag Day （美国国旗纪念日） 21 Father's Day

July

4 Independence Day （美国独立日）

August

2 Friendship Day

September

7 Labor Day

Grandparents Day

17 Citizenship Day

21 Rosh Hashanah

30 Yom Kippur

October

11 National Children's Day 12 Columbus Day

16 National Boss Day

17 Sweetest Day

24 United Nations Day

31 Halloween （万圣节前夜）

November

3 Election Day

11 Veterans Day （退伍军人节）

26 Thanksgiving

December

14 First Day of Hanukkah

25 Christmas （圣诞节）

26 First Day of Kwanzaa

圣诞节Christmas

An Ancient Holiday

The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.

感恩节The History of Thanksgiving and its CelebrationsCelebrations

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving Day in America is a time to offer thanks, of family gatherings and holiday meals. A time of turkeys, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. A time for Indian corn, holiday parades and giant balloons . Throughout history mankind has celebrated the bountiful harvest with thanksgiving ceremonies.

Before the establishment of formal religions many ancient farmers believed that their crops contained spirits which caused the crops to grow and die. Many believed that these spirits would be released when the crops were harvested and they had to be destroyed or they would take revenge on the farmers who harvested them. Some of the harvest festivals celebrated the * of these spirits.

Harvest festivals and thanksgiving celebrations were held by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Hebrews, the Chinese, and the Egyptians.

万圣节Halloween October

Spooky, kooky, creepy, and fun! Halloween is the time of Ghosts, Goblins, Gravestones and Graveyards. Of Spooks and Spirits and silly-fun tricks. Of Witches and Warlocks and Scary Black Cats. And Candy Corn, Jelly Apples, Pumpkins and Bats.

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays with origins going back thousands of years. The holiday we know as Halloween has had many influences from many cultures over the centuries. From the Roman's Pomona Day, to the Celtic festival of Samhain, to the Christian holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. 是英汉对意.