America is more than just the stars, stripes, or even the bald eagle. While they are important, our heartwarming traditions truly define us, like eating turkey on Thanksgiving or setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July. Let’s look at 18 things that make America so special.
A Sky Full of Stars
There’s nothing quite like celebrating America’s birthday by lighting up the sky with fireworks. This tradition is as old as America itself, symbolizing our independence with every pop and sizzle. It’s a time when everyone comes together to celebrate what makes our country so wonderful.
Innovation and Independence
Our entrepreneurial spirit is legendary, and it drives our economy and technological advancements. Across the country, Silicon Valley tech startups and small-town mom-and-pop shops are seizing opportunities with both hands. No other country has as much innovation as ours, and we’ve made some of the greatest inventions in history.
Feast and Family Time
Thanksgiving is a time for turkey and peeling potatoes as quickly as possible while catching up with people you haven’t seen in a hot minute. It’s a chance to stuff our faces and reflect on what we’re thankful for. This tradition started way back in 1621, and it’s become a day of gratitude and maybe a little football.
Not Just a Game
Speaking of sports, Super Bowl Sunday might as well be an unofficial holiday. Whether you’re in it for the football or the halftime show, this is a day to ditch your diet and become a couch potato. It kicks off in January or February, and after watching it once, you’ll see why this is one of the most-watched sports events in the world.
Costumes and Candy
The end of October means one thing, and that’s Halloween. While other countries do celebrate it, nobody else does it quite like us Americans. It’s a night for spooky decorations and ghost stories. Let’s not forget the sheer happiness of sorting through a mountain of candy bars at the night’s end, which is a sweet tradition for kids and adults alike.
Shadows and Superstitions
Groundhog Day on February 2nd is when all eyes are on Punxsutawney Phil to see if we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. It’s a peculiar tradition that’s all in good fun and comes from old German folklore. But it’s something that you’ll only find in the good ol’ USA, which makes it so great.
A Gobbling Good Time
Every November, the President takes a break from running the country to save a turkey from its Thanksgiving fate. It’s a tradition that dates back to around 1947 and has become a yearly spectacle. It’s one of those traditions you can’t do elsewhere, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love seeing a turkey strut its stuff on the White House lawn?
Opportunity and Optimism
The American Dream is the ideal we all believe in. It promises everyone the opportunity for success through hard work and determination. Millions of people have come to America’s shores, hoping to build a better life. Even all these years later, the dream is alive and well.
Deals and Doorbusters
Black Friday is the Olympic Games of shopping, and it’s a tradition that we’ve invented. You can get amazing deals on everything, like TVs and toasters. It’s a tradition that kickstarts the holiday shopping season with a bang, which ironically comes the day after we celebrate how grateful we are, only in America.
Grills, Games, and Gridiron
Nothing says Saturday in fall like tailgating at a college football game, and you’ll see fans decked out in team colors grilling burgers and tossing footballs. It’s a tradition that we all love as we celebrate community spirit and competition. And, of course, cracking open a cold one with friends.
A Dream Remembered
Each January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor one of the greatest Americans and reflect on our progress toward equality. Schools and communities come together through volunteer projects and educational programs. We’re all trying to keep his dream alive and inspire new generations.
Balloons and Broadway
One of our favorite parts of the holiday season is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where you can see gigantic balloons floating down Manhattan and Broadway performances in the street. There’s a reason why so many people watch it. Whether you’re watching from the sidelines or cozy at home, you will feel the magic of the holiday spirit.
Fried Food and Ferris Wheels
Every state has its fair, and each one shows off what makes that state unique. Some places have blue-ribbon pies, while others have barnyard races. Our state fairs celebrate local culture and agriculture, mixing tradition and kitsch. After all, where else can you eat your weight in fried food and try your hand at carnival games?
Countdown in the City
When the ball drops in Times Square, it’s an iconic moment to ring in the new year that people worldwide watch. It’s a vibrant celebration filled with music and, of course, a kiss at midnight. You won’t find a better New Year’s Eve celebration than right in the heart of New York City.
Salutes and Services
Veterans Day is our opportunity to thank all who have served in the armed forces. We have a parade, school assemblies, and public services to remember those who’ve defended our freedoms. It’s a day to honor and reflect on the sacrifices people have made for us, and we’re so grateful for that.
Syncopated Rhythms
Jazz is America’s music, and it was born in the streets of New Orleans. With its innovative sounds and styles, jazz has completely transformed the American musical landscape, and you can see it in smoky clubs and festival stages. Celebrating jazz is celebrating a piece of American soul in every blue note.
Stars and Statuettes
Oscar night is when Hollywood rolls out the red carpet, and we all tune in to see the glitz and glam and who goes home with a golden statuette. It’s a night where dreams are made and sometimes broken, but always with a distinctly Hollywood flair. We’re celebrating the wonders of storytelling, and the whole world wants to watch it.
Rhymes of the West
You can’t get more American than cowboys. Out in Elko, Nevada, the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering has kept the spirit of the Old West alive since 1985. Cowboys and ranchers come to share stories that show the hardships and joys of rural life. It’s a full-on cultural festival with music and plenty of tall tales.
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