Yo solo: Festividades (On My Own Holidays)

It’s fiesta time! Cinco de Mayo is a fiesta day in Mexico and the United States. It’s celebrated on the fifth of May. This colorful holiday honors Mexico’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. People march in parades, dance, and set off fireworks. Families enjoy traditional Mexican food and drink. Then they watch people act out the famous battle. Find out more about this joyful celebration of Mexican culture.

When the Pilgrims landed near Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 they were unprepared for the challenges they would face. Many Pilgrims died until Squanto, a Patuxet Indian, taught them how to survive. To give thanks for a good year, the Pilgrims threw a huge feast, later called Thanksgiving.

Easter is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In Sweden, children dress up as Easter witches and go door to door, hoping for candy. Egyptian children have egg-rolling contests. Russian children play an egg-tapping game. And in Colombia, Easter is a time for donkey beauty pageants. Take a trip around the world to see how this very special holiday is celebrated.

The Day of the Dead is a special holiday celebrated in many places like Mexico and parts of the United States to honor people who have died. It's celebrated between October 31 and November 2 and there are costumes, but no one says, "trick-or-treat." There is candy, but this candy is shaped like coffins and skeletons. People picnic in cemeteries, go to parades, set off fireworks, and bake special breads and meals to remember friends and family members who have died.

Filled with tricks and treats, fun and food, Halloween is a day that children look forward to. At one time two separate festivals, the traditions of each gradually blended into the holiday we now celebrate on October 31.

In Mexico at Christmastime, children carry candles in nine nights of parades. German children listen for Kris Kringle to bring presents on Christmas Eve. Families in Australia like a picnic on the beach. And in Ethiopia, Christmas is the time to play a hockey-like game called genna. Come take a trip around the world to see how this special time of year is celebrated in eight countries.

Veteran’s Day is a day set aside to thank the men and women who risk their lives protecting America. Each year on November 11, we celebrate what they have done for our country. Learn more about the history of this important holiday, such as why it is on November 11 and what Americans do to celebrate.