Independent work “countryknowing”

Groundhog Day

• February 2 It is an ancient belief, that hibernating creatures, which means that they sleep in winter, can predict the arrival of springtime. The day half way between the first day of winter and first day of spring is called Candlemas. An old lore says:
• ,,If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again."
• So when the groundhog comes out of his den and sees his own shadow, it will be winter for six more weeks. The U.S. official groundhog is kept in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. In a great ceremony, in early morning of February 2, ,,Punxsutawney Phil", as the groundhog is called, is pulled from his den and whispers his prediction in the ear of his keeper. This happens in front of hundreds of reporters and lots of cameras it is broadcasted on the news all day. Remember the movie ,,Groundhog Day (Und täglich grüßt das Murmeltier)".
• Valentine's Day February 14 Valentine's day derived from a Roman holiday and was brought to the USA by British settlers. People send Valentines to their Valentines. A Valentine can be a card or a gift as a token of love or a person, singled out as somebody's sweetheart. It is also a huge business, shops and restaurants are decorated and the newspapers are full of ads.

Mardi Gras

• Tuesday, February 27 Mardi Gras is a traditional holiday celebrated in many of the southern states of the USA, especially New Orleans, Louisiana. It was introduced by French settlers in 1699 and the Americans added to it. About two weeks before Fat Tuesday there are parades and masquerade balls that can be watched nightly, that are organized by crews, that pick a king and queen that reign for the parade. The official Mardi Gras colours are purple standing for justice, green for faith and gold for power. At the parades you can make a catch by shouting the sentence: ,,Throw me something, mister." The crews` members ride on floats and throw beads, doubloons, cups and trinkets. Beads are glass necklaces of all shapes and colours that resemble jewellery, royalty would wear, doubloons are metal coins that carry the crews emblem and their theme for the year, cups are plastic drinking cups that hold about 8-10 oz. and they carry the emblem and the theme as well. The trinkets are everything else that is thrown from the float, including candy, Frisbees and whistles. The traditional food for Mardi Gras are King Cakes, which are made of Cinnamon Rolls, formed into an oval with purple, green and yellow icing. Inside there is a figure of a baby hidden, and the one who finds it will have to host the next King Cake party.