Holidays

[Homeloaf]

Today it dawned on me: I am the only person regular to this board that celebrates Thanksgiving today, aren't I? So here's my Idea for you guys. Come up with all the strictly national holidays that you can think of, and we'll all learn about each other's cultures a little bit. I'll start it off.

America

4th of July - Our indepence day, often celebrated with fireworks. Usually a barbecue because of the seasonally grand weather. Many people set theirselves on fire accidentally.

Thanksgiving - A group of Indians helped us to plant corn and hunt. Our Pilgrims were stupid city kids, in that respect. [jk] They had also spent some time in Holland on their way over, so that had a negative impact. [/jk] (Although they actually did spend some time in Holland.) Contrary to popular belief, however, the first Thanksgiving didn't take place until several years after the Pilgrims settled.

I'm not sure if Halloween is solely American. I don't think so, but just in case, I won't describe it. That would appear condescending.


I can't think of any more at the moment.

Hey, Mik! I have a question about Australia. This might seem strange, but...

What is Vegemite?

[Mikrondel]

Vegemite is apparently illegal to bring with you into the USA. They say it's because it contains Folic Acid, but I think it's probably because they think it'll stop Americans eating.

It's an extremely salty, dark brown "yeast spread" generally put on toast or in sandwiches, that a lot of people hate (usually those who didn't have any during their childhood). Many people like it, but not to excess. Personally I prefer a sweeter and less strong variant called "Marmite". I think it's OK and eat it now and then, on toast usually.

Anyway, we have "Australia Day"... celebrates our federation and "Anzac Day" (which New Zealand has also - ANZAC = Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) which celebrates mainly our World War 1 effort (primarily the landing at Gallipoli, in Turkey - a huge co-ordination stuff-up but a kind of test of our strength - which, mind you, we all learn about in detail at school) but all our other war efforts as well. Not long ago the last Australian WW1 survivor died.

We've got some British holidays like the Queen's birthday "long weekend" and I think some "bank holidays" and "labour days" (which differ from state to state) and are basically just days off work for no big reason.

That's all I can think of that's vaguely national...

[earlofqb]

For the record, Mr. Loaf, you're not the only one to celebrate it. In fact, across Europe, there's a lot of people who celebrate on this day by feasting, despite the fact that they've nothing to officially celebrate. Just their way of "fitting in" with their American counterparts. Or maybe my Euro-friends are just plain weird...

Canada Day, a day to celebrate our independence (we signed a paper!).
Thanksgiving day up North is in October.
Rememberance Day is the same day as Veteran's Day

Just buy a calendar from an international bank, it should have a lot of them listed on it.

[Homeloaf]

I like this, "Mr. Loaf." It is a nifty title. I didn't realize that other people celebrated just to fit in. And also a good excuse to eat as much pie a possible!