Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day (or Saint Valentine's Day) is a holiday that, in the

United States, takes place on February 14, and technically signifies
the accomplishments of St. Valentine, a third-century Roman saint.
With that said, most Americans, instead of honoring St. Valentine
through religious ceremony, enjoy the holiday by engaging in
"romantic" behavior with their significant other or someone who they
wish to be their significant other; gifts, special dinners, and other
acknowledgements of affection comprise most individuals'
Valentine's Day celebrations.
Chocolates and flowers are commonly given as gifts during
Valentine's Day, as are accompanying greeting cards (greeting card
companies release new Valentine's Day designs annually). Red and
pink are generally understood to be "the colors" of Valentine's Day,
and many individuals, instead of celebrating romantically, spend the
holiday with their friends and/or family members.
Variations of Valentine's Day are celebrated across the globe
throughout the year. In America, the holiday, although
acknowledged by the vast majority of the population, isn't federally
recognized; no time off work is granted for Valentine's Day.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, arguably one of New York City’s most iconic
symbols, is a popular tourist attraction for first-time visitors to the
city. This 150-foot monument was gifted to the United States from
France in order to celebrate 100 years of America’s independence.
The statue is located on Liberty Island, and it is accessible by taking
a ferry from either Battery Park in New York City or Liberty State
Park in Jersey City.
When Claire visited the Statue of Liberty for the first time, she
instantly admired it as a symbol of freedom. Claire made sure to
make reservations before her visit because only 240 people are
permitted to climb the staircase to the top of the statue every day.
After climbing almost 400 stairs, Claire received spectacular views
of the city from the statue’s crown.
During her visit, Claire learned that the Statue of Liberty was not
always the color that it is now. She found out that because the
statue’s exterior is made of copper, the statue oxidized over time,
giving it the greenish appearance it has in present day. When it was
first constructed, the statue was the same color as a shiny penny!
After touring the Statue of Liberty, Claire spent the rest of the day in
New York City visiting other important monuments and historic
landmarks. Claire left New York hoping to have had the time to
explore more sites, but she can’t wait to return to the city in the
future.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated predominantly in
North America, and it possesses a different meaning in
each of the countries where it's acknowledged.
In the United States, Thanksgiving is a federal holiday
(meaning all government employees and most private
employees are given a day off of work), and always takes
places on the Fourth Thursday in November, regardless
of the date.
The holiday signifies the immense progress made
by pilgrims, or some of the first travelers to North
America, at Plymouth Plantation circa 1621. It was at this
time that the hungry and weary Pilgrims were taught (by
Native Americans) how to grow and produce food on North
America's unique terrain. Once they'd grown (and caught)
an abundance of food, the Pilgrims were expectedly
thankful, and they celebrated alongside the Native
Americans who provided them with such valuable
assistance. President Abraham Lincoln initiated the
contemporary practice of Thanksgiving by calling for a "day
of Thanksgiving" during one of his Civil War addresses.
In America today, Thanksgiving remains firmly engrained in
its historical roots, and is widely considered to be a day for
giving thanks for good food, good times, and
family. Thanksgiving dinner generally consists of turkey,
mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, gravy, and ample
desserts. To be sure, indulging in abundance is a
cornerstone of the holiday, as doing so could only be
possible if one possesses abundance.
Miami
Christina visited Miami during her winter vacation. She is
from Boston, where it is cold during the winter months.
Miami, however, has a very warm climate. There are many
sunny days in Miami, and people can go to the beach all
year long. Christina spent a good portion of her trip on the
beach to relax and sunbathe. However, she also explored
Miami and its surroundings.
Inspired by Miami’s proximity to the ocean, Christina visited
the Miami Seaquarium to learn about marine life. There,
she watched a show using trained dolphins, killer whales,
and other aquatic mammals. She took a lot of pictures of
the sea creatures jumping out of the water and performing
tricks.
Christina also took an excursion to the Everglades National
Park. This park is a protected area spanning 1.5 million
acres. Because the park is mostly swampland, it is home to
many reptiles. Native animals include snakes, alligators,
and crocodiles. The park is also great for birdwatching.
Christina enjoyed hiking the trails in the Everglades and
observing the wildlife in its natural environment.
When Christina returned to the city, she visited Little
Havana. This is Miami’s Cuban neighborhood. Christina
could see that Little Havana’s people demonstrated a lot of
pride for their Cuban heritage. There were many outdoor
shops and vendors, live musicians, and the Cuban cuisine
was delicious. Little Havana was Christina’s favorite part
about her trip to Miami. This neighborhood made Christina
feel like she had traveled to Cuba without ever having to
leave the United States.