Halloween began more than 2,000 years ago among the Celtic people of Britain and France. As the days became shorter and cooler every autumn, the Celts made up a story to explain why winter came and all the crops and flowers died.
The Celts believed in a sun god who made the crops grow. But each year the sun god was attacked and held prisoner for six months by an evil power called Samhain, who was also known as the "Lord of the Dead” and the "Prince of Darkness”. He brought the cold and darkness of winter days.
The
story of America’s Thanksgiving begins with the Pilgrims. Early in the 17-th
century, the Pilgrims left England in search of religious freedom. In 1608,
they sailed to Holland. Then, in 1620, they set sail once again and crossed
the Atlantic aboard a leaky ship called the Mayflower. After sailing for many
weeks, the Pilgrims landed at a place now called Massachusetts. They set up a
colony at Plymouth, where they planted the seeds they had brought from
England. But the seeds didn’t grow well, and there was so little food for the
Pilgrims that many of them starved to death.
Every December, Christians all over the world look forward to the coming Christmas. It is the most widely celebrated holiday of the year.
It started nearly two thousand years ago, with the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Bible it is said about it, but the Bible never mentioned the date of Christ’s birth. There are no other records to tell us exactly when He was born. Not until the year 325 was December 25 chosen as the day to celebrate His birthday. At the same time, January 6 was selected as the day to remember the visit of the three Magi. (Matthew 2:1-2) Some Christians celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas from December 25 to January 6.
The Fourth of July has been an American holiday for more than two hundred years.
Eventually, thirteen English colonies dotted the Atlantic coastline. All the colonies were under the rule of the King of England. Until the 1760s, however, England didn’t pay much attention to its American colonies. Then England decided to tax the colonists. Americans were forced to pay tax on tea, glass, paper, and other items they needed. Many refused to buy these taxed items, and some began to talk about governing themselves.
In December 1773, some Boston colonists dressed as Indians slipped aboard an English ship docked in the harbor. During the dark winter night, the "Indians” dumped the ship’s cargo of tea overboard into the water. This protest against British policies became known as the "Boston Tea Party.”
The American people value education highly. Some of the traditional values, which have developed over the years, are:
1. Public education should be free. There should be no hidden charges to prevent any citizen from receiving a good education at public expense.
2. School should be equal and open to all. No one should be discriminated against because of race, religion, or financial status.
3. The public school should be free of any creed or religion. The schools are open to all Americans regardless of their religious beliefs. However, religious schools are permitted outside of the public school system.
4. Public schools are controlled by the state and local governments. Local school boards run the public schools under laws passed by the state legislature. The State Board of Education assists the local schools, but does not give orders to the district board.
Many students enrich their lives with studies abroad. Those who do this say that they will never be afraid to do anything else in their lives. They spend a semester or more studying in Wales, France, England, Japan, and other countries. These students say the months spent abroad help them to love the United States more.
To study and to live in another culture is a life-changing experience. The students say, "The people we met were absolutely incredible. The people made it the best experience of our life.” The students also learn more about their own country and what it means to be an American once they live outside of the country.
Some years ago, young
people in the USA didn’t want to be teachers because of poor pay and
even less respect. Government and the public openly questioned
teachers’ competency. Kids in school were angry, even violent.
Lots of school teachers quit the profession within the first year.
Many of these problems
remain now. But nevertheless, there are some changes. Teaching is
back. Salaries now are decent or better in most places.
Teachers say they feel more respect. Why is it so?
1. I try to study, but there iswhat I have to put up with.
My sister plays the piano - not too good. My other sister plays the flute worse. Sometimes they play together, but most of the time they are fitting. Then I get into a fight trying to get them to be quiet. My mother says that I should just study and mind my business. How can I study?
2. I consider myself a good student. I’m on the hockey team in winter and basketball team in spring. I am also good enough to be in our school’s Student Tutors Program. We help younger kids with their work. My problem is I never seem to have time to study. I am tired after practice and game, and the younger kids take up a lot of time I need to study myself. My grades are slipping. I don’t want to give up sports. And I like helping the little kids. What should I do?
