Racial Problems: Americans are a nation of immigrants. Their ancestors are from many different parts of the world. Some came in search of a better life, whilst others were sent to America as slaves. Because there are so many different cultures and religions in America the result is sometimes conflict. There have been many periods of violence due to racial discrimination. The main violence is against the black American population.

Although legal segregation was ended in the 1960's there still exists a segregation in many areas through choice, housing is especially segregated. Many black people live in black only neighbourhoods, and do not mix with white Americans. Black neighbourhoods are sometimes referred to as "Ghettos".

Poverty: America is generally known as a rich country, however about 1 in every 10 Americans lives below the national poverty line. This means that they live on incomes that the government considers too low to buy food, clothes, shelter etc. Many different groups of society live in poverty, sometimes young people, sometimes old people. Poverty leads to crime such as stealing and also leads to the spread of disease. the distribution of money in America is not equal - some people have great wealth, whilst others struggle to live.

Crime: The main social problem in America is Crime. Violent crime rises every year, with most people afraid to leave their homes in the dark, especially in big cities. Many Americans own, and carry, guns for their own protection (this is legal in America). The majority of crime is by young men, with many more black men being arrested than white.

Drugs: The problem of drug abuse grows every year. There is a strong link between drugs and crime. Alcohol and drugs are responsible for many deaths on American roads, with drivers who are drunk or taking drugs. The drug problem began in the 1960's with "social drugs", but more recently has grown into the use of strong drugs. The strong drug users also spread disease through dirty needles, especially HIV / AIDS - a big problem in America. the drug problem costs the government a lot of money - because of crime, court cases, hospital treatment etc.

President Bush Announces Drug Control Strategy: An effective strategy to combat illegal drug use in the United States is a top priority for the White House, says President Bush, because drugs "constitute a huge challenge to the very health of our nation."

Bush, unveiling his administration's national drug control strategy for 2002, spoke in Washington on February 12th about the dangers of illicit drugs and the urgent need to reduce demand for drugs within the United States while also attacking the supply of drugs from source countries. 

The goals of his new drug control strategy are "to limit drug supply, to reduce demand and to provide addicts with effective and compassionate drug treatment," Bush said. "These steps must be funded, which is why the budget I submitted to Congress calls for $19 billion to fight drug use."

FAMILY LIFE:

• In 1960, over 70 percent of all American households were made up of a working father, a homemaker mother, and their children. Today, "traditional" families with a working husband, an unemployed wife, and one or more children make up less than 15 percent of the nation's households. As American families have changed, the image of the family in the media has changed accordingly. Today's families vary from both parents working to single mothers and their children and unmarried couples who live in the same house.

• In a decade, divorce rates doubled. The rapid increase in the divorce rates contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of single-parent households or what used to be known as broken homes. The number of households consisting of a single woman and her children has tripled since 1960.

• As late as 1940, less than 12 percent of white married women were in the work force; today the figure is nearly 60 percent and over half of all mothers of pre-schoolers work outside the home.

• As wives have assumed a larger role in their family's financial support, they have felt justified in demanding that husbands perform more child care and housework. Today, over two-thirds of all three-to-five year olds take part in a day care, nursery school, or pre-kindergarten program, compared to a fifth in 1970.

HOUSING:

TIME ZONES:
PDT - Pacific Daylight Time (Left, Blue) - 1pm
MDT - Mountain Daylight Time (Pink) - 2pm
CDT - Central Daylight Time (Green) - 3pm
EDT - Eastern Daylight Time (Right, Blue) - 4pm 

WEDDINGS:

To get married in Las Vegas: You must present some identification and proof of your age. (A valid passport is acceptable). You must be over 18 years old. (You can be married if you are 16 or 17 years old only if you are accompanied by at least one of your parents or if you have an official document verifying your parent's permission.) If you were previously married and divorced, you must have a copy of your final divorce decree that clearly indicates the date and place that the final decree is registered. 

Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the Marriage License Bureau at 200 South Third Street downtown. The office is open from 8AM until midnight on weekdays and from 8AM Friday until midnight Sunday every weekend. They are also open 24 hours on all holidays. A marriage license cost $30. Once you have the license, any person authorized by the state of Nevada can perform the marriage ceremony. One witness must be present at the ceremony. Most wedding chapels will supply the witness if you have none.

Drive Thru Wedding: There are many places to get married in Las Vegas and many types of wedding ceremonies. You can have anything from a short simple civil ceremony to an elaborate, romantic wedding. You can have a themed wedding, an outdoor wedding even a helicopter wedding. 

A Civil Ceremony: The simplest way to get married is by having a brief civil ceremony performed by the Las Vegas Marriage Commissioner. It can be completed in the Marriage Commissioner's Office. It will require only half of an hour and will cost about $50. 

Wedding Chapels: The famous wedding chapels are part of the legend of Las Vegas. Years ago, many couples journeyed to Las Vegas to take advantage of the lenient divorce and marriage laws in Nevada. They usually came for a speedy divorce and often for a swift marriage soon afterward. A small industry developed around quick weddings. The more enterprising businesses built small quaint-looking chapels to attract their romantic customers.

AMERICAN TRANSPORT: Air Travel is the most practical and common method of covering the large distances between areas in the USA. It is the fastest, the most convenient and frequently the most economical means of transportation.

Trains are not as popular in the USA as they are in many other countries. They are an acceptable choice only for short or medium distance travel in certain areas. In many major cities, commuter trains provide good passenger service from suburban communities to the downtown metropolitan centers. In many parts of the US, train service may be infrequent or even non-existent.

Busses are an economical option. Bus transportation is a great option for urban or suburban transit, but bus service can be very limited in rural areas. The Greyhound Bus line offers inter-city and transcontinental bus service. It can be an inexpensive alternative to other forms of travel if you are willing to put up with the discomfort of long rides with minimum comforts. 

Cars are almost a necessity. In many parts of the USA where public transportation is inadequate or non-existent, a car is a practical necessity. In most large cities, the major shopping centers and sports or entertainment facilities are usually located in the suburban communities far from the metropolitan center. Without a vehicle, sightseeing, shopping and touring can be very inconvenient.

Hitchhiking is not permitted in most states. Hitchhiking is illegal in many states. You may occasionally see a person trying to "hitch a ride" along an interstate or at the entry to a toll road, but they are often risking a fine if apprehended by a police patrol. 

Bicycles are a good way to see the USA. But bicycles are not as common in the US as they are in many other countries, so car and truck drivers are not as accustomed to bicyclist on the roads. Bicycles are banned from the freeways and interstate highways, but are permitted on all other roads. Many cities and towns have off-road bicycle paths and trails. 

Car rental prices are very competitive in most states and no single agency has the best prices every time. Prices change frequently and every agency offers many special promotions and competitive priced deals. If you spend some time shopping for the best price, you can often save money. Here are some tips on how to find the best prices and how to save money. 

Each of the 50 states has its own set of traffic laws and regulations. Fortunately, most of the laws are the same, but some states have slightly different rules.

The speed limit in most states is now 65 miles per hour (about 110 km/hr) except where signs indicate slower speeds. Many drivers travel about 5 mph above the legal limit and the police do not seem to mind. Speed limits are strictly enforced by radar in many states (especially the eastern highly populated areas). In the western states, enforcement can be much more lax and motorists frequently travel at 85 mph or more. Speeding in any road construction area is strictly enforced with very heavy penalties in most states.

The minimum age for driving is 16 in most states but some states will not allow unrestricted driving until 18. Some car rental agencies refuse to rent a car to any person under 25 years of age. Some rental agencies in the US will not rent to drivers over 71 years of age. Nearly all states have laws requiring the driver and front passengers to wear seat belts. Many states require children to wear seat belts even in the back seats. Nearly every state requires special child restraint seats for all young children. Most states require motorcyclists to wear helmets.

The speed limit in front of every school is 15 mph when the warning lights are flashing. You are required to stop in both directions for any school bus with flashing lights. These rules are strictly enforced in every state and have severe penalties for disobedience. Drinking alcohol and driving is also forbidden and strictly enforced in all states. 

The American Automobile Association (AAA), commonly called the "triple A", provides some wonderful services to drivers. They have offices in every city and most of the larger towns in the US. If you are a member of a national motor club in your home country, you can receive many of their benefits free of charge by simply showing your membership card. The AAA provides free maps and tourist guides for any city or state in the US. 

The US highway system - The USA has an extensive system of interstate highways and state maintained roads. Some of the major highways are toll roads often called turnpikes, but most are free. All major interstate highways running north to south have odd numbers and are ordered from I-5 on the Pacific coast to I-95 along the Atlantic coast. All interstates running east to west are evenly numbered beginning with I-8 and I-10 near the Mexican border to I-94 near Canada.

American Holidays and Festivals

AMERICAN HOLIDAYS: On legal holidays, businesses, schools and government offices close. The only legal religious holiday is Christmas. Other religious holidays in America are Easter, a Christian holiday and Yom Kippur and Hanukah which are both Jewish holidays.

There are also many holidays that have nothing to do with religion. Some holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day are observed out of respect for those who died in battle during various wars.

In the United States, for the year 2002 there are 10 federal holidays set by law. Four are set by date (New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas Day). The other six are set by a day of the week and month: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving. All but the last are celebrated on Mondays to create three-day weekends for federal employees.

• 1st January: New Year's Day - A federal holiday in the United States. In the early history of America, the new year was observed on March 25 until January 1st, 1753. This is because of the calendar in use then. In 1752, England and America adopted the Gregorian colander after deciding that the Julian colander was not accurate. Now in America the biggest block party of the year happens in New York City's Times Square. Millions of people gather every year to watch the Ball Drop as they count down to mid-night. At mid-night everyone yells HAPPY NEW YEAR. Some people shake hands while others kiss and embrace. The party in Times Square is always televised so the people who can't make to New York can join the celebration from their homes.

• 6th January: Epiphany - (from Greek epiphanies, “manifestation”). Falls on the 12th day after Christmas and commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the miracle of the wine at the marriage feast at Cana. One of the three major Christian festivals, along with Christmas and Easter. Epiphany originally marked the beginning of the carnival season preceding Lent, and the evening preceding it is known as Twelfth Night.

• Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - (The actual date of his birthday is Jan. 15th) A federal holiday observed on the third Monday in January that honors the late civil rights leader. It became a federal holiday in 1986. In 1999, New Hampshire became the last state to officially honor the holiday. Martin Luther King Junior believed that everyone should be treated equally regardless of their race or skin color. He fought against racial discrimination and prejudice saying that people should be judged according to their character. Martin Luther King Jr. was born a minister's son on January 15, 1929. He entered college when he was only 15 years old. While in college he studied black history, religion and theology. He received his doctor of philosophy degree from Boston University. After college he became a minister and married Coretta Scott. King became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where he preached against segregation of black people. King's most famous speech, "I Have a Dream" was given in 1963 in front of Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C. 250,000 gathered to hear his speech that day. Even though King believed in non-violent methods to achieve his goal of desegregation, his life ended very violently. King was killed by an assassin at the age of 39 years.

• 2nd February: Groundhog Day - (A Groundhog is a type of animal) Groundhog day began as a Christian Holy Day. According to Western religious tradition, Groundhog Day, is more formally known as Candlemas Day. The earliest reference to groundhog day as it is recognized today is February, 1841. Groundhog Day has its roots in ancient times, when humans were enlightened enough to interpret the workings of the world be watching the animals around them. Alas, the groundhog was not a good choice, since actions rarely accurately predict the coming of spring. Feb 2nd marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The date was a time of celebration for ancient Europeans since it meant the beginning of a new growing season. With the rise of Christianity, the pagan rites of February 2nd became Candlemas Day, celebrated with the blessing of candles and an odd belief that if a groundhog waking from its winter sleep cast a shadow, the winter would continue for six more weeks.

• 12th February: Lincoln's Birthday - A holiday in many states, this day was first formally observed in Washington, DC, in 1866, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address in tribute to the assassinated president.

• Shrove Tuesday: (Date changes each year, normally about 2nd week in February) - Falls the day before Ash Wednesday and marks the end of the carnival season, which once began on Epiphany but is now usually celebrated the last three days before Lent. In France, the day is known as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), and Mardi Gras celebrations are also held in several American cities, particularly in New Orleans. The day is sometimes called Pancake Tuesday by the English because fats, which were prohibited during Lent, had to be used up.

• Ash Wednesday: (Date changes, day after Shrove Tuesday) - The seventh Wednesday before Easter and the first day of Lent, which lasts 40 days. Having its origin sometime before A.D. 1000, it is a day of public penance and is marked in the Roman Catholic Church by the burning of the palms blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday. With the ashes from the palms the priest then marks a cross with his thumb upon the forehead of each worshipper. The Anglican Church and a few Protestant groups in the United States also observe the day, but generally without the use of ashes.

• 14th February: St. Valentine's Day - This day is the festival of two third-century martyrs, both named St. Valentine. It is not known why this day is associated with lovers. It may derive from an old pagan festival, or it may have been inspired by the belief that birds mate on this day.

• Third Monday in February: Washington's Birthday / President's Day - (The actual date of his birthday is Feb. 22nd.) On the third Monday of February the United States honors all of its presidents; but, originally President's Day was set aside as a day to celebrate the birthdays of two great American presidents: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. George Washington, who was born on February 22, 1732, was the first elected president of the United States.

• 23rd February: Eid al-Adha, (Feast of Sacrifice) - commemorates Abraham's willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. Lasting for three days, it concludes the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims worldwide sacrifice a lamb or other animal and distribute the meat to relatives or the needy.

• 26th February: Purim (Feast of Lots) - A day of joy and feasting celebrating the deliverance of the Jews from a massacre planned by the Persian minister Haman. According to the Book of Esther, the Jewish queen Esther interceded with her husband, King Ahasuerus, to spare the life of her uncle, Mordecai, and Haman was hanged on the same gallows he had built for Mordecai. The holiday is marked by the reading of the Book of Esther (The Megillah), and by the exchange of gifts, donations to the poor, and the presentation of Purim plays.

• 15th March: First Day of Muharram - The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. On the tenth day of the month, many Muslims may observe a day of fasting, known as Ashurah.

• 17th March (Sunday): St. Patrick's Day - St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, has been honored in America since the first days of the nation. Perhaps the most notable part of the observance is the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City. St. Patrick's Day is a religious holiday that has its root is Ireland. St. Patrick, whose real name was Maewyn Succat, was born sometime around the year 389. At the age of 16 Maewyn was kidnapped by Irish pirates that had landed near his home in England. During the years that he was in Ireland he worked and learned the Irish language and way of life. Having been born of Christian parents and raised in a Christian home, Maewyn was troubled because the Irish worshiped many gods and spirits. Eventually Maewyn was able to escape from Irish slavery. He went to France where he studied to become a priest. After 14 years of study he was sent back to Ireland as a Bishop by the Pope. Once back in Ireland, Maewyn, who by now had changed his name to Patrick, traveled all across the island and established churches and schools. According to legend, he also performed many miracles. One of the best known stories tells of Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland. In the United States, St. Patrick's day has come to represent the Irish culture and the contributions of its people to the United States. 

• EASTER: Made up of many different days, see below. (Date changes each year - March / April) Easter is probably the most important Christian holiday on the calendar, it uses the egg, as a symbol. In the United States Easter is celebrated in several ways. On Easter morning children begin their day by looking for Easter eggs that the Easter bunny has hidden for them. Of course most children know that the eggs were hidden by their parents and not the Easter bunny. Many children help their parents color the Easter eggs knowing that soon they will be eating them as a snack on Easter day. Some cities have Easter egg hunts at the local parks. And of course, many people attend "Sunrise Services" at their local church. In fact, more people go to church on Easter Sunday than at any other time of the year. 

Palm Sunday - Observed the Sunday before Easter to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

First Day of Passover - (Pesach). The Feast of the Passover, also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, commemorates the escape of the Jews from Egypt. As the Jews fled, they ate unleavened bread, and from that time the Jews have allowed no leavening in their houses during Passover, bread being replaced by matzoh.

Good Friday - The Friday before Easter, it commemorates the Crucifixion, which is retold during services from the Gospel according to St. John. A feature in Roman Catholic churches is the Liturgy of the Passion; there is no Consecration, the Host having been consecrated the previous day. The eating of hot-cross buns on this day is said to have started in England.

Easter Sunday - Observed in all Western Christian churches, Easter commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or next after the vernal equinox (fixed at March 21) and is therefore celebrated between March 22 and April 25 inclusive. This date was fixed by the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325.

Orthodox Easter - (Pascha). The Orthodox church uses the same formula to calculate Easter as the Western church, but bases it on the traditional Julian calendar instead of the more contemporary Gregorian calendar. For this reason Orthodox Easter generally falls on a different date than the Western Christian Easter.

• 9th May: Ascension Day - The Ascension of Jesus took place in the presence of His apostles 40 days after the Resurrection. It is traditionally thought to have occurred on Mount Olivet in Bethany.

• Second Sunday in May: Mother's Day - West Virginia was the first state to recognize the holiday in 1910, and President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother's Day a national holiday in 1914.

• May: First Day of Shavuot (Hebrew Pentecost) - This festival, sometimes called the Feast of Weeks, or of Harvest, or of the First Fruits, falls 50 days after Passover and originally celebrated the end of the seven-week grain-harvesting season. In later tradition, it also celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

• May: Pentecost (Whitsunday) - This day commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles 50 days after the Resurrection. The sermon by the apostle Peter, which led to the baptism of 3,000 who professed belief, originated the ceremonies that have since been followed. “Whitsunday” is believed to have come from “white Sunday” when, among the English, white robes were worn by those baptized on the day.

• May: (Twelfth day of the month in Islamic Calendar) - Mawlid an-Nabi - This holiday celebrates the birthday of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. It is fixed as the 12th day of the month of Rabi I in the Islamic calendar. 

• 30th May: Memorial Day - It became a federal holiday in 1971, originating in 1868, when Union general John A. Logan designated a day in which the graves of Civil War soldiers would be decorated. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday was changed to Memorial Day within twenty years, becoming a holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead. Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday in the United States. It is a legal holiday in most states but, until recently, it was not observed on the same date in all states. Northern states used to observe Memorial Day on May 30th, southern states observed the holiday on either April 26th, May 10th, or June 3rd. By federal law Memorial Day is now observed on May 30th in all states. Memorial Day is not a happy holiday. On Memorial Day we honor all the men and women who have died while serving their country in the Armed Forces.

• 14th June: Flag Day - This day commemorates the adoption by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, of the Stars and Stripes as the U.S. flag. Although it is a legal holiday only in Pennsylvania, President Truman, on Aug. 3, 1949, signed a bill requesting the president to call for its observance each year by proclamation.

• Third Sunday in June: Father's Day - The exact origin of the holiday is not clear, but it was first celebrated June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation making Father's Day official

• 4th July: Independence Day - The day of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, celebrated in all states and territories. The observance began in 1777 in Philadelphia. Independence Day is one of the most important of all American holidays. That's the day that we celebrate our independence from England, who once controlled all of the new colonies in the New World. In 1773, there were only 13 colonies in America. About 2 million people lived in those colonies and all 2 million people had to pay taxes to England. The people believed this was unjust because even though they paid taxes they had no say in the way they were being governed. One night when three English ships loaded with tea was dock in Boston Harbor, some Americans dressed like Indians went aboard the ships and threw all the tea into the water. This became known as "the Boston tea party." This was seen as an act of treason by the English Crown and England sent many soldiers to America. The English soldiers killed many Americans in what is now called the Boston Massacre. After the Boston Massacre, the colonists formed the Constitutional Congress which decided that America should declare its independence from England. Thomas Jefferson was appointed to write the Declaration of Independence which was signed July 4, 1776. But this did not guarantee America's freedom from England. Only after defeating England in a war that lasted for five years was America free from England's control. The British army surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown, Virginia in late 1781. The Treaty of Paris, which gave America its own sovereignty, was signed in 1783. 

• First Monday in September: Labor Day - First first celebrated in New York in 1882 under the sponsorship of the Central Labor Union, following the suggestion of Peter J. McGuire, of the Knights of Labor, that the day be set aside in honor of labor.

• 7th September: First Day of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) - This day marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and opens the Ten Days of Penitence, which close with Yom Kippur.

• 16th September: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) - This day marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that began with Rosh Hashanah. It is described in Leviticus as a “Sabbath of rest,” and synagogue services begin the preceding sundown, resume the following morning, and continue to sundown.

• 21st September: First Day of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) - This festival, also known as the Feast of the Ingathering, originally celebrated the harvest. The name of the festival comes from the booths or tabernacles in which the Jews lived during the harvest, although one tradition traces it to the shelters used by the Jews in their wandering through the wilderness. During the festival many Jews build small huts in their backyards or on the roofs of their houses.

• Last Sunday of September: Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) - This joyous holiday falls on the eighth day of Sukkot. It marks the end of the year's reading of the Torah (Five Books of Moses) in the synagogue every Saturday and the beginning of the new cycle of reading

• First Monday in October: Columbus Day - A federal holiday,  it commemorates Christopher Columbus's landing in the New World in 1492. Quite likely the first celebration of Columbus Day was that organized in 1792.

• 31st October: Halloween - Eve of All Saints' Day, formerly called All Hallows and Hallowmass. Halloween is traditionally associated in some countries with customs such as bonfires and the telling of ghost stories. The Celts, (that's the name of the people from Gaul and Great Britain) believed, dead spirits would try to possess living people. They also believed that witches, ghosts and other evil spirits roamed the land freely on this night. To scare away the spirits, people dressed in costumes, lit bonfires, placed jack-o-lanterns and other scary decorations in front of their homes. 

• 1st November: All Saints' Day - A Roman Catholic and Anglican holiday celebrating all saints, known and unknown.

• First Tuesday after first Monday in November: Election Day - (legal holiday in certain states). Since 1845, by act of Congress, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November is the date for choosing presidential electors. State elections are also generally held on this day.

• 6th November: First Day of Ramadan - This day marks the beginning of a month long fast that all Muslims must keep during the daylight hours. It commemorates the first revelation of the Qur'an.

• 11th Novembe: Veterans Day (Armistice Day) - A federal holiday, was established in 1926 to commemorate the signing in 1918 of the armistice ending World War I. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all men and women who have served America in its armed forces. Veteran's Day began as Armistice Day. This is the name given to November 11th by President Woodrow Wilson. He proclaimed Armistice Day a day to remember the tragedies of war. Britain and France observe this day to commemorate the end of World war I on November 11, 1918.

• Fourth Thursday in November: Thanksgiving - Holiday by act of Congress (1941), The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in the year 1621. The Pilgrims who had come to the New World from England landed at Plymouth Rock, in what is now Massachusetts, on December 26, 1620 after being at sea for almost a year. When the Pilgrims landed in this country they discovered that the grain they brought from England wouldn't grow in the soil of their new home. The first winter was very hard for the early settlers and many people died because of sickness and starvation. The native Indians came to the aid of the Pilgrims and taught them how to plant crops of corn. They also taught the Pilgrims how to hunt and fish. Thanks to the help of the Indians, the settlers' crops in the fall of 1621 did well and there was a great harvest. The Pilgrims decided to have a feast as a way of giving thanks. The Pilgrims invited their friends, the Indians, to share this first Thanksgiving feast which lasted three days.

• 30th November: First Day of Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) - This festival was instituted by Judas Maccabaeus in 165 B.C. to celebrate the purification of the Temple of Jerusalem, which had been desecrated three years earlier by Antiochus Epiphanies, who set up a pagan altar and offered sacrifices to Zeus Olympius. In Jewish homes, a light is lighted on each night of the eight-day festival.

• First Sunday in December: First Sunday of Advent - Advent is the season in which the faithful must prepare themselves for the coming, or advent, of the Savior on Christmas. The four Sundays before Christmas are marked by special church services.

• 25th December: Christmas - The most widely celebrated holiday of the Christian year, Christmas is observed as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Christmas customs are centuries old. The mistletoe, for example, comes from the Druids, who, in hanging the mistletoe, hoped for peace and good fortune. Use of such plants as holly comes from the ancient belief that such plants blossomed at Christmas. Comparatively recent is the Christmas tree, first set up in Germany in the 17th century. The use of candles on trees developed from the belief that candles appeared by miracle on the trees at Christmas. Christmas is the only holiday observed in America that is both a legal and a religious holiday. Even though it is a Christian holiday, Christmas is celebrated by almost everybody in the world regardless of religious affiliation.

• As well as national holidays each state may also have their own holidays, as listed below:

State Holidays - Dates for 2002

Jan. 6, Three Kings' Day: P.R.

Jan. 8, Battle of New Orleans Day: La.

Jan. 11, De Hostos's Birthday: P.R.

Jan. 19, Robert E. Lee's Birthday: Ark., Fla., Ky., La., S.C.; (third Mon.): Ala., Miss.

Jan. 19, Confederate Heroes Day: Tex.

Jan. (third Mon.), Lee-Jackson-King Day: Va.

Jan. 30, F. D. Roosevelt's Birthday: Ky.

Feb. 15, Susan B. Anthony's Birthday: Fla., Minn.

March (first Tues.), Town Meeting Day: Vt.

March 2, Texas Independence Day: Tex.

March (first Mon.), Casimir Pulaski's Birthday: Ill.

March 17, Evacuation Day: Mass. (in Suffolk County)

March 20 (first day of spring), Youth Day: Okla.

March 22, Abolition Day: P.R.

March 25, Maryland Day: Md.

March 26, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day: Hawaii

March (last Mon.), Seward's Day: Alaska

April 2, Pascua Florida Day: Fla.

April 13, Thomas Jefferson's Birthday: Ala., Okla.

April 16, De Diego's Birthday: P.R.

April (third Mon.), Patriots' Day: Maine, Mass.

April 21, San Jacinto Day: Tex.

April 22, Arbor Day: Nebr.

April 22, Oklahoma Day: Okla.

April 26, Confederate Memorial Day: Fla., Ga.

April (fourth Mon.), Fast Day: N.H.

April (last Mon.), Confederate Memorial Day: Ala., Miss.

May 1, Bird Day: Okla.

May 8, Truman Day: Mo.

May 11, Minnesota Day: Minn.

May 20, Mecklenburg Independence Day: N.C.

June (first Mon.), Jefferson Davis's Birthday: Ala., Miss.

June 3, Jefferson Davis's Birthday: Fla., S.C.

June 3, Confederate Memorial Day: Ky., La.

June 9, Senior Citizens Day: Okla.

June 11, King Kamehameha I Day: Hawaii

June 15, Separation Day: Del.

June 17, Bunker Hill Day: Mass. (in Suffolk County)

June 19, Emancipation Day: Tex.

June 20, West Virginia Day: W.Va.

July 17, Muñoz Rivera's Birthday: P.R.

July 24, Pioneer Day: Utah

July 25, Constitution Day: P.R.

July 27, Barbosa's Birthday: P.R.

Aug. (first Sun.), American Family Day: Ariz.

Aug. (first Mon.), Colorado Day: Colo.

Aug. (second Mon.), Victory Day: R.I.

Aug. 16, Bennington Battle Day: Vt.

Aug. (third Friday), Admission Day: Hawaii

Aug. 27, Lyndon B. Johnson's Birthday: Tex.

Aug. 30, Huey P. Long Day: La.

Sept. 9, Admission Day: Calif.

Sept. 12, Defenders' Day: Md.

Sept. 16, Cherokee Strip Day: Okla.

Sept. (first Sat. after full moon), Indian Day: Okla.

Oct. 10, Leif Eriksson Day: Minn.

Oct. 10, Oklahoma Historical Day: Okla.

Oct. 18, Alaska Day: Ala.

Oct. 31, Nevada Day: Nev.

Nov. 4, Will Rogers Day: Okla.

Nov. (week of the 16th), Oklahoma Heritage Week: Okla.

Nov. 19, Discovery Day: P.R.

Dec. 7, Delaware Day: Del.

"CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES": The peace treaty of 1783 recognised the independence of the United States and established the individual states. Once the states were established it was unclear about the relationship between each of the states, therefore a constitution was needed.

After the War of Independence the United States was not one nation, each state had its own government, with its own laws and policies. A plan was then drawn up called the "Constitution of the United States." This proposed an elected leader or president, it also proposed a central system for making laws and court systems. The constitution did not have any reference to the freedoms or basic rights of citizens, therefore in 1791 a "Bill of Rights" was added to the constitution. The government which was formed was divided up into three parts. The Executive, Legislative and Judicial. 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: The Legislative branch is made up of elected representatives from each of the states. It makes federal laws and taxes and is the only branch of government which can declare war or put foreign treaties into effect. It consists of a "Congress" which is made up of two houses:

The House of Representatives: This is made up of lawmakers who serve for 2 years. Each member represents their home district from their state. The number of districts in a state depends on the population.

The Senate: This is made up of lawmakers who serve for 6 years. Each state has two senators. Every 2 years one third of the Senate are re-elected, therefore there are always experienced senators working in government.

The main duty of Congress is to make laws. A law begins with a proposal, called a "Bill", it is then studied in committees, then amended in the Senate or House chamber in which it was introduced. It is then voted upon, if it passes it is then sent to another house where the same process takes place. When both houses of Congress pass the Bill it is sent to the president for signature, once signed it becomes law.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH: The chief executive of the United States is the president. Every four years there is an election for the president and vice president. Under an amendment to the Constitution in 1951, a president can only be elected for two terms. The job of president allows the formulation of public policy, allows a vito of bills, can appoint judges, has powers to issue regulations and directives regarding the work of the federal governments departments and the president is also the commander of the armed forces. The presidents cabinet of office is made up of 13 departments: State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy and Education.

JUDICIAL BRANCH: The head of the Judicial branch is the Supreme Court, which is the only court created by the Constitution. Congress has established 11 federal courts of appeal and 91 district federal courts. Federal judges are appointed for life or voluntary retirement, and can only be removed from the office through the process of impeachment and trial in the Congress.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS (1791): This is made up of 10 short paragraphs which guarantee freedom and individual rights to all Americans. In the Bill of Rights, Americans have the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the press (media). They have the right to assemble in public places, to protest government actions and demand changes. They have the right to own weapons. The Bill of Rights also guarantees a quick trial for any crimes.

POLITICAL PARTIES: The United States have two main political parties, the Democratic party and the Republican party. The Democratic party was established before 1800 and now uses the donkey as its symbol. The Republican party was formed in 1850 and uses the symbol of an elephant.

FAMOUS AMERICAN PRESIDENTS

Kennedy, John F. (Fitzgerald) (nickname JFK)  1917 - 1963: Statesman and 35th U.S. president (1961-63), born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts; the second of Joseph and Rose Kennedy's nine children. Kennedy was the youngest man elected president of the United States, dying from an assassin’s bullet after serving less than one term in office. 

On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated by rifle fire while being driven in an open car through Dallas, Texas. The alleged assassin, 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, was shot and killed by night club owner Jack Ruby two days later, while under heavy police escort on a jail transfer. Much controversy remains concerning the Kennedy assassination, and speculation about conspiracy theories abounds, despite the Warren Commission’s conclusion that Oswald most likely acted alone. 

Nixon,  Richard (Milhous)  1913 - 1994: During his last election campaign, what first appeared as a minor burglary was to become the beginning of the end of Nixon's political career. A break-in at Democratic national headquarters in Washington, D.C.'s Watergate apartment complex was linked to Republicans. During the trial of six men charged in the crime, the existence of the cover-up began to emerge, taking government officials down like dominos in its path. Nixon elicited the resignation of two top aides in April 1973 in an effort to stem the tide. But in October, as the Watergate investigation continued, he lost his vice president, Spiro T. Agnew, who resigned before pleading "nolo contendere" (no contest) in federal charges of income tax evasion related to accusations of accepting bribes. 

Nixon's efforts to avoid the taint of those scandals were fruitless when subpoenaed tapes he was ordered to give up by the U.S. Supreme Court showed he obstructed justice in stopping an FBI probe of the Watergate burglary. On August 9, 1974, in national disgrace, he became the first President of the United States to resign. He boarded a plane with his wife and returned to his California home, ending his public career. A month later, in a controversial move, President Gerald Ford issued an unconditional pardon for any offenses Nixon might have committed while president. 

On April 22, 1994, Nixon died of a stroke, and a state funeral was held five days later in Yorba Linda, California. In 1995, film director Oliver Stone released the controversial movie Nixon; staring Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins as the president.

PRESIDENTS (by Date of Service)
1789-1850
George Washington (1789-97)
John Adams (1797-1801)
Thomas Jefferson (1801-09)
James Madison (1809-17)
James Monroe (1817-25)
John Quincy Adams (1825-29)
Andrew Jackson (1829-37)
Martin Van Buren (1837-41)
William Henry Harrison (1841)
John Tyler (1841-45)
James Polk (1845-49)
Zachary Taylor (1849-50) 

1850-1901
Millard Fillmore (1850-53)
Franklin Pierce (1853-57)
James Buchanan (1857-61)
Abraham Lincoln (1861-65)
Andrew Johnson (1865-69)
Ulysses S. Grant (1869-77)
Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-81)
James A. Garfield (1881)
Chester A. Arthur (1881-85)
Grover Cleveland (1885-89)
Benjamin Harrison (1889-93)
Grover Cleveland (1893-97)
William McKinley (1897-1901) 

1901-2001
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09)
William H. Taft (1909-13)
Woodrow Wilson (1913-21)
Warren Harding (1921-23)
Calvin Coolidge (1923-29)
Herbert Hoover (1929-33)
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-45)
Harry S Truman (1945-53)
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-61)
John F. Kennedy (1961-63)
Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-69)
Richard M. Nixon (1969-74)
Gerald R. Ford (1974-77)
Jimmy Carter (1977-81)
Ronald W. Reagan (1981-89)
George Bush (1989-93)
William J. Clinton (1993-2001)
George W. Bush (2001-present)