Born and raised in the United States, I’d like to share just a few of the many traditional holidays.
Thanksgiving. Celebrated the last Thursday of November. This the anniversary of the day the pilgrims broke bread with the native Americans. This day is traditionally celebrated by having a meal similar to what the pilgrims and indians had. It is usually, turkey, potatoes (yams and white potatoes)cranberry sauce(NOT out of a can)maize (corn) and breads. Family traditions add other foods to the menu, to make it unique to each family.
Christmas, celebrated by Christians. This is a celebration of the birth of Christ on the 25 of December. It is celebrated by decorating a tree with colored lights and exchanging gifts in celebration. It does get quite out of hand here in the United States, with people spending a lot more than they can afford (to outdo each other) when buying gifts.
Channukah, celebrated by the Jewish population , usually about the same time as Christmas.. This is a happy gift giving holiday too. This holiday celebrates a time when the Jews allotment of oil (for lights) was only enough to last a day and for some miraculous reason the oil burned for a week. This holiday is celebrated by lighting a candle each night and exchanging gifts with one another each night(for the week) as well.
We also celebrate Halloween here. Halloween is a celebration of the harvest. Contrary to what people say, it is not a wicked holiday. It is celebrated by carving a pumpkin into a scary face. This was used to ward off evil spirits during time of fall harvest. It has been elaborated on over the years to a point of the holiday losing all of it’s true meaning. Now, children dressed in scary costumes(and lately, not so scary) go door to door looking for treats, which consist of candy. It began when children went door to door looking for a handout of food that had been harvested.
Independence Day, celebrated on July 4, is a time for general celebration by all the population. They are celebrating the day the United States became independent from British rule. It is celebrated by fireworks and barbecues.
There are many other holidays and customs and traditions here in the United States. Some very old, brought from the old countries of the ancestors, and some new, like the celebration of the birthdays of presidents. We also celebrate a day to honor veterans who served in the military during wars, and Memorial Day, to celebrate the soldiers who gave their lives for their country. There is Arbor day, when we are all supposed to plant a tree, to keep America green. And the list goes on and on and on. There are some customs unique to different locations in the United States as well. The first snow of the year (in the skiing areas) brings out the people to celebrate and party the beginning of ski season. There are winterfest celebrations and celebrations for the start of football season. You name it and somewhere in the United States there is a local custom or tradition and celebration going on right now!
All in all the United States has many traditions and customs, representing the many different cultures and events. I know I didn’t cover them all, but to do that I’d have to write a book...a long book.
Hope this gave you some insight.