New Britain herald., 1916-06-16
LARGEST H. 5. CLASS
 IS GIVEN DIPLOMAS
(Continued From Sixth Page).
ual delight, is an ever renewed source of energy and health.
 American Holidays.
%NH INfH IIOIINNUf Ss (Ruth Frances O'Rrien0

American Holidays.
 (Ruth Frances O'Brien).
 From time immemorial, the people in the countries of the old world have
 held festivals and celebrated certain
 days throughout the year. They have in different ways and with different
 customs, it is true-but all with the same predominating feeling, that of
 good will. America, as child of the foreign country, Great Britain, also has her festivals and holidays. She shares with the other countries
 only two days-Christmas and New Years, the universal festivals. The older countries may have more holi- days and perhaps they may be cele- brated more extravagantly; but sure- ly no country is more proud of the occasions which make her holidays possible, than is America this great and glorious nation of today.
 New Years Day, one of the uni versal holidays, is celebrated in much the same manner every year. It has always been our custom to see the old year out and the new one in with high demonstrations of merlin ment. Many happy and gay New Years Eve parties and dances are held, which last until after the welcoming ill of the new year with songs and cheers. People closely related visit and dine with each other on this day to keep alive and cultivate mutual good feeling This is shown by the use of the salu- tation-'Happy New Year"-express- ~ing good wishes for the next twelve months. This day will probably aI- ways be observed in America in much the same way and will always afford as much pleasure and enjoyment as 1t does at present.
 February twelfth marks the birth of the great president and enamel pator, Abraham Lincoln. This day is not observed as extensively as some of our other holidays, but it is how ever, a national day. In the middle, western and southern states the peo- pie do not forget this emancipator and pay tribute to him in many ways
 In this same month, February, on the twenty-s second day, occurs the birth of another great man, George Washington His birthday is cele- brated all over the United States when everyone praises and honors the man who. was declared long ago by his followers to be first in war, first in peace, and frs, in the hearts of his countrymen."
 Memorial or Decoration Day is a holiday observed in the United States on the thirtieth of May. It is a day set apart in memory of the soldiers andy sailors who fell in the Civil War; and the date is said to have been
 
 of the last soldier of the 1 Union Army. Decoration Day is cele- ! brated by processions and orations in l honor of the dead, and especially by | decorating with flowers and flags the 1 graves of all who fought in any of the wars of the United States.
 Where a country or government 1 has been baff1ed in its efforts to at tain or preserve hated rule over another people, it must be content to see it's failure made the subject of never ending triumph and exultation. The anniversary of the Declaration Of Independence, July 4, 177G. has ever since been regarded as a great national festival throughout the United States and wherever Amer jeans are assem bled over the world. 1 From Maine to Oregon, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, 1 and in every town and village, this of the Republic has always l been ushered in with the ringing of bells, the firing of cannon, the dis play of the national flag, and other 1 evidences of public rejoicing
 A national salute is fired at sunrise, 1 noon and at sunset, from every fort l and batt1eship. The army, militia and volunteer troops parade, with 1 bands of music, and join with the 1 citizens in patriotic processions. 1 Orators, appointed for the occasion, l deliver in different parts of the coun- try, what are termed Fourth of July 1 Orations." The virtues of the Pill l grim fathers, the exertions and suf- ferings of the soldiers of the Revo- 1 lution, the growth and power of the Republic, and the great future which l expands before her. are the main themes of these orations. The fourth 1 of July has always been a great day for the youth and his frecrackers and pistols. Many accidents have hap pened until today, numerous devices are suggested for a "safe and sane fourth" At night, the whole country blazes with bonfires, rockets, Roman candles, and fireworks of every de- Scription. In great cities the display Of fireworks in the public squares, provided by the authorities, are often magnificent.
 Labor Day, one of the latest American holidays comes genera Fly on ehe first Monday in September. It is G day for the working men, who hold meetings for the discussion of labor questions, presided over by many elo- auent speakers. After the meeting there are usually large parades, in which many of the prominent labor leaders of the town or city join with