Summer Holidays

Memorial Day, celebrated the last Monday of May, is the a day of remembrance for those who died in service to the USA. It is also thought of as the holiday that opens the summer season.

Independence Day (the Fourth of July in the United States) commemorates the day the United States declared its independence from England, and is often seen as a celebration of being American.

Labor Day is a day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker. It is celebrated on the first Monday in September and is also considered a last "fling" of summer.

The United States has always been a mixture of cultures. So being someone of Latino heritage in America is similar to being Irish in America, especially for families who have been here for generations. Latino culture is just as much a part of the American culture as any of the other cultures that have blended here.

The reverse is also true. There is no static Latino culture that exists separately from the huge mix of traditions, peoples and collective understandings that are called "American culture." This is an evolving culture, made not only of our traditions that we have brought from our ancestral homelands, but the traditions of our friends and, of course, the multitude of traditions that are collected in the country we live in.

So, with all that in mind, how do we come together to celebrate Independence Day in the United States? Just about the same way as all the other people of the United States celebrate... with family and friends. Maybe some of the specifics change, but picnics, barbecues and other outdoor celebrations are a universal way to enjoy a summer day that many of us don't have to work!

Celebrating with Food

Just like any other holiday, food is a big part of the celebration. Some great recipes to enjoy during these Summer holidays include...