| main | foreign students | foreign scholars | study abroad |
| department area | contact us |
| carnegie mellon main page | student affairs |
|
| main | foreign students | foreign scholars | study abroad | |
Holidays are a good time to learn about American culture. At some point you will probably want to spend one of the bigger holidays with an American family or group of individuals to get a better idea of what the holiday is all about. You may be invited by an American friend or classmate, but if not, you can call (624-7800) or fax (624-6235) the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors and try to take advantage of their "Homestay" program.
Many schools, banks, stores, and other businesses are closed for the major National Holidays, such as Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Labor Day. Plan on shopping and getting your business done before or after these days. The following is a calendar of most American Holidays:
| January | February | March | April |
| May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |
Most people celebrate the coming of the New Year on December 31st (New Year's Eve). This night is a night to go out and celebrate. On New Year's Day people often get together with friends and family members to eat a big meal and welcome in the New Year. Many people make "New Year's Resolutions" at this time. This means they make a promise to themselves to improve their behavior or characteristics in the New Year. Common New Year's Resolutions are: to quit smoking, to lose weight, to exercise more, and to spend less money. Banks, businesses and schools are closed.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a famous African-American civil rights leader who was assassinated in the 1960's. Dr. King stood for peace and equal rights for all Americans. This holiday celebrates his dream of equality and justice. Although his birthday is on January 15th, the holiday is celebrated on the Monday closest to his birthday. Banks and some schools are closed.
This holiday supports an American myth about groundhogs (a North American rodent that lives in the ground). It claims that groundhogs come out of their holes on this day. If they see their shadows, there will be six more weeks of winter (cold weather). If they don't see their shadows, spring (warmer weather) is coming soon. The token groundhog that the nation watches on this day, "Punxsutawney Phil," lives not far from Pittsburgh.
This is a day for lovers and sweethearts. Spouses and other lovers exchange gifts, chocolates, and cards or go out to dinner to celebrate their relationships. School children will send Valentine Cards to their friends.
Celebrated on a Monday or Friday between Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington's birthdays (February 12 and February 22nd, respectively), this holiday recognizes all American Presidents and their achievements. Banks and some schools are closed.
Christians celebrate the beginning of Lent (a period of fasting and penitence) on this day. Some go to church where ashes are placed on the forehead to symbolize man's eventual return to dust. The period of Lent symbolizes Christ's 40-day trek into the desert in preparation for his crucifixion.
An Irish-American holiday dedicated to the Patron Saint of Ireland. People celebrate Irish-American heritage by wearing green. They also tend to drink a lot of beer on this holiday, sometimes dying it green.
Christians celebrate the Sunday before Easter by going to church and receiving palm fronds. The holiday marks Jesus' return from the desert and his entry into Jerusalem.
Commemoration of the day of Jesus' death. The Friday before Easter.
Celebration of the resurrection of Christ (on Sunday). Families usually celebrate with a dinner and family gathering. Children receive baskets of candy from a fictitious rabbit called the "Easter Bunny." They may also color eggs with food dye and go on outdoor "Easter Egg Hunts," where they look for eggs hidden in the grass and other places.
Passover is a Jewish holiday celebrating the delivery of the Jews out of Egypt where they had been forced into slavery. Passover begins on Friday (Saturday for some). The height of the festivities usually falls on Saturday evening with a family gathering and a ceremonial meal called a "Seder" (the meal includes ceremonial foods such as "Matzo" - a flat unleavened bread). During the Seder Dinner, the story of the Jews' liberation from Egypt is recounted. All members of the family participate in the telling of the story.
A day for practical jokes and fooling people. It is mostly celebrated by school children.
On the second Sunday in May people show their appreciation for their mothers (and grandmothers) by buying them cards and gifts.
A day (last Monday in May) for remembering soldiers who died in battle. People frequently visit cemeteries on this day. Banks, some businesses, and schools are closed.
On the third Sunday in June people show their appreciation for their fathers (and grandfathers) by buying them cards and gifts.
Citizens and businesses display American flags in a show of patriotism. This day celebrates the creation of the US flag by Betsy Ross.
This day celebrates the birth of the US upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the document in which the American Colonists declared their independence from England. Families usually gather for picnics and barbecues and watch displays of fireworks at night. Banks and some businesses are closed.
The first Monday in September is an official celebration of the American worker. It also signifies the end of summer vacation and a return to school by most school children. Banks, businesses and schools are closed.
The Jewish New Year. Families get together to celebrate.
The second Monday in October marks the day Christopher Columbus "discovered" America.
This night before All Saints' Day was once believed to be a time when the spirits of the dead awakened. The holiday has become primarily for children. Children (and some adults) wear costumes which are often scary or horrifying (signifying the dead spirits). People carve pumpkins, decorate their houses, and even create scary "haunted houses" for others to explore. Children go out in their costumes at night to "trick or treat." This means they go from door to door asking for candy or other treats.
Public elections are held on the Tuesday after the
This holiday honors veterans of the military.
On the fourth Thursday in November Americans celebrate and give thanks for what they have. This holiday symbolizes the "Thanksgiving" dinner celebrated by the first pilgrims in America after surviving their first hard winter here. Families traditionally celebrate with a turkey dinner. They may also eat bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Banks, businesses, and schools are closed.
A Jewish holiday which celebrates the rededicating of the temple in Jerusalem. In biblical history, the Jews were trapped in the temple where they were under siege by the Romans. The Menorah (a ritual candleholder which normally held seven candles) needed to remain constantly lit. The legend says that the small amount of oil that the Jews had to keep the Menorah alight miraculously lasted eight days until they could obtain more supplies. The celebration lasts eight days as a symbol of this miracle and a candle on the Menorah (which now holds nine candles) is lit for each of the eight days of Hanukkah (the ninth candle symbolizes the holy man or "Rabbi"). Due to its proximity to Christmas (an important holiday in the US) gifts are now given at Hanukkah as well.
The largest and most popular Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. Families and friends exchange gifts. Preparation for this holiday begins early (mid-November or earlier). There are many rituals involved in the celebration of Christmas: families buy Christmas Trees (Evergreens), put them in their home, and decorate them; families hang stockings over their fireplace; groups of people go from house to house singing songs called "Christmas Carols"; and children have their picture taken with Santa Claus. Santa Claus is a fictitious character who is said to live at the North Pole, build toys with the help of elves, and drive a large sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer around the world on the night before Christmas (Christmas Eve) to bring gifts to good little boys and girls. Santa, with his fat belly and red and white suit, delivers the gifts by parking his sleigh and reindeer on the roof and sliding down the chimney to put them under the family Christmas Tree. Banks, businesses and schools are closed.
| American Customs | American Holidays | Bureaucratic Requirements | Culture Shock |
| English as a Second Language | Knowing Pittsburgh | Living in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors |