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In Europe, the day evolved from a celebration to ensure fertility into a kind of spring outing day, in which symbols such as May poles, flower gathering and the crowning of a May Queen became socially acceptable forms for the earlier and more explicit expressions. |
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In socialist countries, the day became a political "worker holiday", following its introduction into the United States in the latter part of the nineteenth century. |
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3.) Midsummer Day. Midsummer Day is celebrated on 24 June in several countries. |
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The Feast of John the Baptist falls on this day. The eve of this day, 23 June, is celebrated as European summer solstice, or Midsummer Day. In Europe, this date celebrates the longest day of the year. Not surprisingly, as a general rule, this day is held to have greater importance in areas of higher latitude, where seasons are distinct and summers are short. In Finland, for example, Juhannus Day is held on a Saturday, to allow everyone to celebrate the day in the country. Thus, there are variants to the rule in different countries. |
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Tradition has it that the location of buried treasure is revealed on Saint John's Eve by small flames dancing over the spot. It is also traditional that evil spirits are granted control from midnight until dawn of this, the shortest night of the year, and may seize anyone who ventures out on that night. Bram Stoker made use of this legend in his novel, Dracula. Mussorgsky's work, Night on Bald Mountain, sets to music the revels of evil on this night. |
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Building bonfires and jumping over fires play an important part in the traditional celebrations of this day in countries such as Germany, Spain, and France. |
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6.2.2.1.3.3
U.S. Federal Holiday Observation |
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The date for Columbus Day in the United States is celebrated on 12 October of the year. This day is also referred to as Discoverer's Day or Pioneer's Day. |
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This day of observance in the United States commemorates the date on which Columbus is traditionally held to have discovered the New World in A.D. 1492. The first celebration of this date was probably organized by the Society of Saint Tammany, or Columbian Order, in 1792. |
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The observance of this day is the opportunity to raise an additional point. This day is one of those that, since 1971, has been designated as a "federal legal public holiday". There are several facts to be considered in this connection: |
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Technically, there are no "national holidays" in the United States. Each state has jurisdiction over its holidays, which are designated by legislative enactment or executive proclamation. |
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The President of the United States and Congress can legally designate federal legal public holidays only for the District of Columbia and federal employees. |
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In practice, most States observe the federal legal public holidays. |
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