Unofficial Holidays

The table below lists just some of the "unofficial" holidays celebrated in America. Unlike the "official" holidays, these "unofficial" holidays usually do not entitle anyone to a day off from work with pay.

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year is of course the most important holiday for Chinese people.  It is a 15 day long celebration starting on New Year’s Day, which is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. Because the Chinese calendar is based upon the cycles of the moon with a new month starting with a new moon (darkest), and the moon’s cycle not being exactly a 30 day cycle, New Year’s Day starts on a different day each year when compared to the western Gregorian calendar. New Year’s Eve usually involves a feast with family.  On New Year’s Day there is another family reunion where red envelopes containing money are given by senior members of the family, usually married, to unmarried junior members of the family. Also this day usually sees many people using fireworks hoping to scare away evil spirits. The most important of the celebrations take place during the first 7 days. On the 15th day of the celebration, when the moon is full, the Lantern Festival is held which consists of family reunions and the hanging of very beautiful lanterns. The Chinese immigrants who came to America in the 1800s decided to give Chinese New Year an additional American flavor – the parade.  Many cities in America with large Chinese populations like San Francisco and New York City will have large Chinese New Year parades. 

Saint Valentine’s Day is the day for lovers to celebrate. The holiday seems to have started in ancient Rome, where the Romans celebrated the Goddess Juno on February 14, who was believed to be the Goddess of women and marriage. On this day each year the Romans held a lottery for their children where the name of young girls were written on paper and place in a jar. Young boys would each draw a girl’s name from the jar and enjoy the day’s celebration together. Often they would fall in love and marry later. The name Valentine’s Day and the custom of exchanging love notes probably comes from a Christian priest named Valentine in Rome in the third century. When the terrible Roman Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage in Rome in an effort to force more young men into the army, Valentine continued to perform marriages. For his defiance of the Emperor, he was arrested, placed in prison, and sentenced to death. A guard at the prison had a daughter who would come to visit Valentine. He was executed on February 14, 269. Before his execution he wrote a short note to the girl thanking her for her friendship and signed it, "Love from your Valentine". The Catholic Church named Valentine a Saint (someone who is martyred for their belief in Christianity). These days it is custom to send such notes to those you love. Also, this day is very popular for lovers to enjoy dinner together at a nice restaurant.  

Saint Patrick’s Day started in Ireland to celebrate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It spread to America in the 1700s when Irish soldiers came here. Now it is often celebrated by both Irish and non-Irish people around the world. Its main theme is green and Ireland. On this day it is customary to wear something green. If you are caught on this day without green everyone many pinch you as punishment. Many restaurants offer green beer on this day.  Many cities also have Saint Patrick Day parades, with New York City having the largest.  

April Fool’s Day is believed to have started in Europe in the 1500s although its origin is not clear. On this day it is typical for people to play jokes on one another. 

Halloween is a special occasion for children these days. At night on this day children dress up in costumes and then go from house-to-house with a small bags knocking on the doors. When the homeowners open the door the children will shout "Trick or Treat"! The homeowner is expected to give the children special treats, usually candy. Many communities have Halloween parties at schools, shopping malls, or other community places for the children to attend. The holiday evolved from several European cultures over the past 2,000 thousand years – some religious and some not religious. The fact that many of the costumes worn by children are those of ghoulish creatures such as ghosts, skeletons, and monsters may have grown out of ancient Celtic Ireland. Over 2,000 years ago in Ireland October 31 was the end of the previous year and the beginning of the next year. The Irish villagers thought that only on the night of October 31 the spirits of the dead could possess the bodies of the living for the next year. So to frighten off the spirits they dressed up in frightening costumes and paraded around the village making much noise to chase away the spirits. 

Background
Official Holidays
Unofficial Holidays: You are here.