UK
This November 5th holiday commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot.
What is Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night)?
This July holiday celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
What is Independence Day?
This international day on March 8th celebrates women’s achievements.
What is International Women’s Day?
This Hindu festival of lights symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
What is Diwali?
People often kiss under this plant during Christmas celebrations.
What is mistletoe?
This centuries‑old holiday on January 25th honors a Scottish poet with haggis and whisky.
What is Burns Night?
This November holiday is associated with turkey, parades, and gratitude.
What is Thanksgiving?
This global observance on April 22nd focuses on environmental protection.
What is Earth Day?
This Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan.
What is Eid al‑Fitr?
This bright red item is traditionally given during Chinese New Year to symbolize good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
What is a red envelope (hongbao)?
This holiday, observed in Northern Ireland only, commemorates a 1690 battle that cemented Protestant ascendancy.
What is the Battle of the Boyne (The Twelfth)?
This federal holiday was first proposed by labor unions in the late 19th century but wasn’t officially recognized nationwide until 1894 after a major railway strike.
What is Labor Day?
This international observance on May 1st has roots in ancient spring festivals but is now more widely associated with labor movements and workers’ rights.
What is International Workers’ Day (May Day)?
This Jewish festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple.
What is Hanukkah?
This sweet treat is traditionally eaten during Mexico’s Día de los Muertos.
What is pan de muerto?
This holiday was once known as the “Whitsun Bank Holiday.”
What is the Spring Bank Holiday?
This holiday, observed on the third Monday in February, originally honored a single president before being broadened by states to celebrate multiple leaders.
What is Presidents’ Day?
This global holiday, recognized by the UN, marks the end of World War II in Asia and is celebrated on different dates depending on the country.
What is Victory over Japan Day (V‑J Day)?
This Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
What is Vesak (Buddha Day)?
This object is smashed in Greek New Year celebrations to bring good luck.
What is a pomegranate?
This UK‑wide holiday was first introduced in 1871 by the Bank Holidays Act and originally applied only to financial workers.
What is the August Bank Holiday?
This U.S. holiday was signed into law in 1983 but wasn’t observed by all 50 states until the year 2000.
What is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
This international observance, created in 1970, was the first global recognition of the need to protect cultural and natural heritage sites.
What is World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments and Sites)?
This Sikh festival marks the formation of the Khalsa in 1699.
What is Vaisakhi?
This Japanese tradition involves sending cards called nengajō to arrive exactly on January 1st.
What are New Year’s postcards (nengajō)?