I should be attending the wedding ceremony of my sister last July 2007 in Las Vegas. Since I was not granted a visa to visit United States, I was not able to attend it. The representative who interviewed me in the U.S. embassy in Munich told me that they cannot grant me a visa because I am jobless and I might not be able to support my stay in Las Vegas. Despite the letter of invitation sent to me by my brother in law and the promise that they will handle and support all the expenses for my stay in the U.S., I was still not granted a visa. This is the advantage of being a third class citizen like what they say. Due to that, I was not able to give the personalized wedding gifts for my sister and her hubby for their wedding. I also don't want to ship it that time because I am afraid that it will get broken in transit.

It is almost five years now since my sister's wedding. I am happy that I was able to visit her for two months last 2008. After becoming a first class citizen when I got my German citizenship last December 2007, I was able to finally enter the United States last 2008 without any hassle at all. I hope to visit U.S. again this year to see my sisters and yes, to attend another wedding.

The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

It seems that August is almost ending. Almost a week more and it is over. I read today in the local German newspaper that Oktoberfest is starting soon next month. The Dultfest in Regensburg is also coming and the Autumn festival in Nuremberg. There are just a lot of festivals coming soon when the BER months are here. In two months, Halloween is also fast approaching. I need to slowly dig the halloween accessories in the attic. The greatest celebration of all is also fast approaching. I always love the holiday season. Festivals and celebrations are always enjoyable and memorable. I can't wait to witness more festivals in Germany!

Sorry folks, I should be writing festivals in the Unites States but I am not quite familiar with it.

I believed most of us are very familiar about the celebration of Father's Day. In fact, it is a widely known celebration to honor fathers and to celebrate fatherhood. Not all countries in the world are celebrating Father's Day at the same day. Russia for example celebrates Father's day on February 19. United States, the Philippines and most countries in the world are celebrating it every third Sunday of June. My question is, are you ready for your fathers day presents 2011. You still have enough time to prepare for special presents to you father, husband or friends. I am even thinking of what to give hubby this year. It will be surprise.

See you later folks. It's getting very late again. The night owl is going to bed now.

I should be attending my sister wedding in Las Vegas, Nevada last July 2007. Due to some uncontrollable circumstances, I was not able to attend it. At that time, I applied for a tourist visa to the United States and it was denied. Some of the reasons given to me were due to being unemployed and my husband will not be traveling with me. I should send a wedding gift from Personal Creations but it just did not came out of my mind. During my visit last 2008, I just gave her some presents. I was very sad after knowing that I can't attend her wedding. Now, that I am already a first class citizen, visiting to most countries is not a problem anymore. Of course, I won't still forget who I am and where I came from. I am still a proud Filipino! Peace!

"Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I.

HISTORY:

By 1865 the practice of decorating soldiers' graves had become widespread in the North. General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic--the society of Union Army veterans--called for all GAR posts to celebrate a "Decoration Day" on May 30, 1868. There were events in 183 cemeteries in 27 states in 1868, and 336 in 1869. The northern states quickly adopted the holiday; Michigan made "Decoration Day" an official state holiday in 1871 and by 1890 every northern state followed suit. The ceremonies were sponsored by the Women's Relief Corps, with 100,000 members.

By 1870, the remains of nearly 300,000 Union dead had been buried in 73 national cemeteries, located mostly in the South, near the battlefields. The most famous are the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania and the Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington.

The Memorial Day speech became an occasion for veterans, politicians and ministers to commemorate the war--and at first to rehearse the atrocities of the enemy. They mixed religion and celebratory nationalism and provided a means for the people to make sense of their history in terms of sacrifice for a better nation, one closer to God. People of all religious beliefs joined together, and the point was often made that the Germans and Irish soldiers had become true Americans in the "baptism of blood" on the battlefield. By the end of the 1870s the rancor was gone and the speeches praised the brave soldiers both Blue and Gray. By the 1950s, the theme was American exceptionalism and duty to uphold freedom in the world." more here

Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. A federal holiday, it is usually observed on November 11. However, if it occurs on a Sunday then the following Monday is designated for holiday leave, and if it occurs Saturday then either Saturday or Friday may be so designated. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

The holiday is commonly printed as Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day in calendars and advertisements. While these spellings are grammatically acceptable, the United States government has declared that the attributive (no apostrophe) rather than the possessive case is the official spelling. wikipedia

Here is a short information about this holiday.

AMERICAN LABOR DAY
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 7 in 2009).

The holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes ("Nine-Hour Movement") first in Hamilton, then in Toronto, Canada in the 1870s, which resulted in a Trade Union Act which legalized and protected union activity in 1872 in Canada. The parades held in support of the Nine-Hour Movement and the printers' strike led to an annual celebration in Canada. In 1882, American labor leader Peter J. McGuire witnessed one of these labor festivals in Toronto. Inspired from Canadian events in Toronto, he returned to New York and organized the first American "labor day" on September 5 of the same year.

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. Cleveland was also concerned that aligning a US labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday. continue reading here

"In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States. continue reading here

I would like to greet all Americans from all over the world, a very happy and safe Memorial Day! I know some American friends who are having a four days or three days weekend today to spend with their family, friends or relatives. Enjoy your holiday! Below is an article about American Memorial day and why it is celebrated.

"When and Why is Memorial Day Celebrated by Americans

This holiday, on the fourth Monday of every May, is a day on which Americans honor the dead. Originally a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered the same way.

In 1971, along with other holidays, President Richard Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday on the last Monday in May. Cities all around the United States hold their own ceremonies on the last Monday in May to pay respect to the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country. In many communities, special ceremonies are held in cemeteries or at monuments for the war dead by veterans of military services. Some hold parades and others hold memorial services or special programs in churches, schools or other public meeting places. Memorial Day is not limited to honor only those Americans from the armed forces. It is also a day for personal remembrance. Families and individuals honor the memories of their loved ones who have died. Church services, visits to the cemetery, flowers on graves or even silent tribute mark the day with dignity and solemnity. On Memorial Day, the President or Vice President of the United States gives a speech and lays a wreath on the tombs. Members of the armed forces shoot a rifle salute in the air. Veterans and families come to lay their own wreaths and say prayers. It is a day of reflection. However, to many Americans the day also signals the beginning of summer with a three-day weekend to spend at the beach, in the mountains or at home relaxing. source: http://usa.usembassy.de/holidays-memorial.htm

I would like to extend my greetings to all friends especially to all Americans who are celebrating this very special occasion today!! Happy Thanksgiving Day!!

Here is a little info about Thanksgiving in the United States..

Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals which have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The period from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day often is called the holiday season.

What is Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, also known as Thanksgiving Day, is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is primarily a North American holiday which has generally become a national secular holiday with religious origins.

The dates and whereabouts of the first Thanksgiving celebration are a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members.