Thanksgiving

People in North America (the USA and Canada) celebrate Thanksgiving every year. In the USA, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November. The festival is celebrated for the honour of the harvest season and people usually feast on turkey and pumpkin pie. In 1620, a group of people called the Pilgrims arrived in America 1____________________. They were originally from England but left their country as they opposed the church’s ideas. Their first winter in America was very harsh and more than half of them froze to death let alone the famine. But the following year they had a fruitful harvest and celebrated with a feast giving their gratitude- together with the Indians who helped them survive. Thanksgiving 2___________, when President Lincoln decided the last Thursday in November would be a national day of Thanksgiving.

In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October and it is usually a three or four days weekend festival. Canadian Thanksgiving started with an English explorer, Martin Frobisher. He celebrated his settlement to Canada from passing the dangerous Atlantic Ocean in 1578. Since then Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving.

Hogmanay

Hogmanay is the name of the New Year in Scotland. It means being the first person to enter a house after midnight, usually carrying 3_______________ to bring good luck. A tall, dark, handsome man is supposed to bring the most luck! It’s claimed by some people that in the past, a man with dark hair was welcome as people thought he was Scottish. At midnight, people 4____________ a traditional poem rewritten by the Scottish poet. This is now sung in many countries. Hogmanay celebrations last for 4 days between December 29th to January 1st.

Bonfire Night

A guy named Guy Fawkes and his friends planned a plot to blow up Houses of Parliament to kill the King and English Politicians in 1605. However, King 5______________ and sent his men to stop Guy Fawkes and his friends. Guy Hawkes was arrested and executed on the day of November 5th. After this, people lit bonfires to celebrate the safety of the King. The 5th of November is called Bonfire Night and is celebrated every year in England 6_____________. Children make a puppet called ‘guy’ and to burn on the bonfire.