All cultures observe holidays which are important in celebrating and perpetuating their cultural memory.

National holidays

Some are holidays celebrating the birth of the nation, such as the Swiss National Holiday, Confederation Day (Bundesfeier; Festa Nazionale; Fête Nationale). This national holiday is held in honor of the memory of an alliance in 1291 among people from valleys of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, who founded the core of what was to become Switzerland with a pact of mutual assistance. Traditional celebrations include bonfires, parades and speeches, and sometimes fireworks.

"In fact, the allies did not intend to found a state but merely to retain their traditional autonomy and the rights of the free peasants (within the Holy Roman Empire). This was the beginning of one of the constant themes of Swiss history which in the modern Swiss state finds its expression in the autonomy of the communities and the federal principle." (Embassy of Switzerland)

Citizens of the United States celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July. Parades and fireworks are often accompanied by concerts and public speeches.

Many National holidays/independence days around the world are listed in a calendar in a factbook prepared by the U.S. Government.

Other national holidays are often related to days set aside as memorials to honor those veterans who have served their country in the armed forces or even sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Memorial Day and Veterans Day in the U.S.

Memorial Day is a Monday in May designated to honor and remember those who fought and died serving their country. It is celebrated at cemeteries and by local community parades. Originally it was begun by Southern states to recognize soldiers from the Confederacy during the American Civil War. "The Federal Memorial Day's founder, Gen. John Logan, was impressed with their tradition and initiated the proposal for the entire Union.

Originally called Decoration Day, volunteers will decorate the graves with small U.S. flags at the Arlington National Cemetery. This day is a day not just for quiet reflection, but also for sharing of stories ... stories of veterans who have survived the battles, and who knew those who were killed in action ... stories of the families and friends who knew these brave men and women. (Confederate Memorial Day)

Veterans Day is celebrated on Nov. 11th each year, to remember the signing of the Armistice to end World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Many communities will have parades and political speeches, often organized by or affiliated with members of veterans' organizations.

New Year's Day or Days relating to the changing of the Seasons, like Noh Ruz, are often national holidays which are occasions to review memories of the past year.

Interact!

Tell us about a Holiday & Associated Memory !

Share information about how a national holiday is celebrated in your community.

For example: Schools Planting trees for Arbor Day in Virginia, U.S.

OR

Share a holiday that you associate with memories of particular sensory experiences.

For example: Arbor Day & the smell of newly planted pine trees and fresh dirt, U.S.

Other Holidays, Secular and Religious

Miscellaneous Holidays and Days of Traditional Celebrations of Cultural Memories

The birthdays of famous people are often remembered. These holidays can be controversial, as the establishment of Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday in the U.S. , was debated for many years, partially because of the timing near Lee-Jackson Day, also in January, and partially due to the emotionally charged nature of the memories associated with these popular heroes.

Now Primarily Secular or Mixed Holidays include April Fool's Day, Halloween, Mardi Gras, President's Day, St. Patrick's Day.

Emilie remembers Halloween. Like many in the U.S., she has celebrated with "trick-or-treating" in creative costumes, marching parades, and bobbing for apples at parties, as well as collecting donations for UNICEF [the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund]. Many of these traditions have been continued from her mother's and grandmother's customs even before Emilie was born.

Religious holidays - Ways to pass along the memories of stories of faith within those communities. They are often also closely linked to family memories and traditions.

Examples of Religious Holidays

Christmas and Easter are often times where multiple memory cues are so present throughout society that constant reminders come to your senses through the mass media as well as various institutions, even for those who may not celebrate them as religious holidays.

Emilie remembers Advent, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Her active participation in her American Baptist church family has created memories of: Advent calendars and candlelighting, lay leadership in church worship, crafts workshops, Christmas caroling parties, Christmas Eve candlelight services, the reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," family rituals in opening stockings, exchanging gifts one at a time, and sharing special meals together.

Lesson Plan: Comparative Holiday Celebrations

Introduction: Different countries celebrate different holidays or the same holiday, but in different ways.

Assignment: Each student or pair of students should select a particular holiday to research. These questions should be answered as they report back to their classrooms.

1. How is this holiday related to preserving cultural memories?

2. What similarities and differences are there in the way these holidays are celebrated?

In class discussion, these celebrations can be compared and contrasted across both varying holidays and cultures. For example, exchanging gifts, lighting candles, or sharing special meals may be common to several holiday traditions, whereas the "Jour de Poissons" in France is unique for its tradition of attaching a paper fish to the back of classmates.

Tell us about a Holiday & Associated Memory !