I will write this report about national holidays and remembrance days in Latvia and America. I am interested to know what kind of holidays are in America and Latvia and are there any similarities or differences between holidays in Latvia and America. I would like to know how people in Latvia and America usually celebrate their holidays.
January 1
New Year’s Day.
Ringing in the New Year, with the festivities usually starting in the evening of December 31 (see also New Year’s Eve – December 31), is one of the most thrilling annual events in Latvia. Usually people stay up until past midnight, and exactly at midnight they toast each other with champagne, wishing everyone a happy New Year.
March–April (in accordance with the western Church calendar)
Easter.
In Latvia, Easter holidays usually last for three days: Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Latvians go to church, but also observe Latvian festive traditions, which differ from the rituals introduced by the Church. Easter is usually celebrated in the family or among close friends.
May 1
Convocation of the Constituent Assembly of the Republic of Latvia;
Labour Day.
In contrast to most European countries, where this date is Labour Day only, in Latvia May 1 is of special national significance too. On this date in 1920 the Constitutional Assembly, the first parliament of the Republic of Latvia democratically elected by the whole nation, convened for its first session. Its task was to draft and pass the state constitution.
May 4
Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia.
On May 4, 1990 the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR (the highest legislative institution in occupied Latvia) passed a Declaration on the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia and instituted a transitional period until full independence was regained.
The second Sunday in May
Mothers’ Day.
Mothers’ Day is a comparatively new holiday in Latvia, officially recognised only from 1992, although it was marked as a family celebration already in the 1920s and 30s. The essence of this family occasion lies in the view that the mother represents the main pillar of a strong family.
A Sunday in May or June (in accordance with the western Church calendar)
Whitsunday.
Whitsunday in Latvia is mainly connected with Christian religious observances, but also includes earlier traditions from before Christianity. In bygone times among the Latvians, this was Herders’ Day – the start of the new season for pasturing animals.…
