After the declaration
Estonia was forced to fight a war of independence against soviet Russia in the east
and Baltic German forces in the south. The Republic of Estonia was founded on
February 24, 1918 when Salvation Committee (päästekomitee) declared the
independence of the Republic of Estonia. This Day was celebrated as the Day of
Independence until the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940. As the hope of
restoring the nation’s independence grew stronger in the late 1980s, the people
already began to celebrate the Day on Independence publicly before the end of
the Soviet occupation. Since the restoration of independence Day continues to
be a day of celebration and a day of reflection for the Estonian people.
20 August –day of
restoration of independence.
Dramatic developments in
the Soviet Union in August 1991 resulted in the three Baltic countries finally
regaining their independence. In August Estonia issued a decision on the
re-establishment of independence on the basis of historical continuity of
state-hood.
23 th June
–Victory Day (Võidupüha)
Commemorates the victory
of Estonian forces over the Baltic German’s forces in the Battle of Võnnu in
northern Latvia in 1919, during which Estonian forces thwarted an attempt to
restore Baltic-German control over the region. The day is marked by important
official ceremonies. The defeat of the two invading forces in 1919 and the
signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty in 1920 between Estonia and Soviet Russia
marked the successful achievement of Estonia’s independence after centuries of
struggle and thus June 23 became a day to celebrate this victory.
24 th June
–St. John Day or Midsummer Day (Jaanipäev)
and its important
Midsummer Eve is a traditional celebration held on the night of 23-24 June,
This day marks a day closest to the longest day of the year when twilight and
dawn appear to merge. The evening of the 23rd and well into the
morning of the 24th is celebrated with bonfires and a traditional
festive menu. Jaanipäev follows the longest day of the year when night seems to
be non-existent.
The United States and the United Kingdom
A very important day is
Mother’s Day also Mothering Sunday
The fourth Sunday in Lent
is a day in the United Kingdom when people give presents and cards to heir
mother to show their love to them. Mothers are often taken out for lunch and
usually do not have to do the work they normally do. The second Sunday in May
is Mother’s day in the United States.
Valentine’s Day-February
14th is a day when people celebrate romantic love and send cards or
give red roses or chocolates to the person they love.
Father’s Day-
The third Sunday in June
is a day in the United States and in the United Kingdom when people give
presents and cards to their fathers as a sign of love and to thank them for
everything they do.
Fourth of July is
Independence Day.
It is a great national
holiday when the people of the United States celebrate the signing of the
declaration of independence in 1776, when America announced its intention to
become independent from Britain. People all over the United States celebrate it
with parades, picnics and fireworks and many buildings are decorated with the
American flag.
Guy Fawkes’ Night also Bonfire
Night - 5th November in the United Kingdom.
It is a day when people
light bonfires and burn a Guy on the bonfire; they also let off fireworks.
Traditionally this is done to remember the time when Guy Fawkes tried, but
failed to destroy the houses of parliament with gunpowder in 1605. Formerly
most families used to have their own bonfires and fireworks, but it is now more
common for people to go to large, organised firework shows in parks.
Halloween-31st
October
It is the day when, in the
past, people believed that the spirits of dead people appeared. Especially in
the United States, children celebrate Halloween by going trick or treating.
People make Jack O’lanterns by cutting faces in the pumpkins and putting a
light inside. Children and other people sometimes go to Halloween parties,
where they play games. Food at these parties is usually made to look very
strange, for example by making it a strange colour or by making it in the shape
of a witch, a ghost or a bat.
Flag Day-14th
June
Is a day when the United
States people fly the United States flag remembering the day in 1777 when the
stars and stripes was officially accepted and first used.
Trooping the Colour
The second Saturday in June.
This celebrates the Queen’s official birthday.
President’s Day
The third Monday in
February is a public holiday in the United States to remember the birthdays of
presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The United States’ most
famous presidents were both born in February.
August Bank Holiday
The Monday nearest to 31st
August is an official public holiday in the United Kingdom when people have a
final celebration before the autumn. Many outdoor events are held on this
weekend.
Remembrance Sunday
The Sunday closest to 11th
November is a special day in the United Kingdom to show respect for the men and
women who were killed in the two world wars.
Thanksgiving
The fourth Thursday in
November is a very important event in the United States. It is a national
holiday when people remember how, in the 17th century, settlers who
came to North America from England, were saved by Native Americans. Many of the
settlers died of hunger during the winter in the new land. The Native Americans
showed them how to grow corn and other local crops, so that they had enough
food to eat during the next winter. The
settlers and Native Americans celebrated together with a special meal and gave
their thanks to God for the food and help. Children at school sometimes perform
the story as a play, wear special clothes to look like settlers and have a
parade or draw pictures of things related to Thanksgiving such as turkeys,
pumpkins, and corn. People usually spend Thanksgiving with their families and
eat traditional meal of turkey. Most people in the United States consider the
day after Thanksgiving to be the beginning of the Christmas holiday season.
People take time to be thankful for all the good things they have received in
the past year. The United States and the United Kingdom have a lot of other
holidays but these are perhaps the most important of them.
Kasutatud
kirjandus
http://www.paistu.ee/ajaleht/paistu-veebruar2004.pdf
http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_174/990.html
http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_174/aken_prindi/1190.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_%28United_States%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trooping_of_the_Colour
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President%27s_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Bank_Holiday
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Sunday
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Day_in_the_United_States