AMERICAN CULTURE: TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, MUSIC, CLOTHING - CULTURE VOCABULARY

The culture of the United States is one of the most influential in the world. Many of the traditions and customs of this country have spread to other regions and have become part of the daily life of other countries. Music, festivities such as Halloween and Christmas are some of the traditions that this country has promoted and made transcend.

The United States, officially called the United States of America, is a federal republic made up of 50 states. Its population is multicultural and quite varied. Within its territory, groups from different countries, races, ethnicities and cultures converge, as a result of the global immigration that the North American territory has awakened.

July 4, Independence Day, is one of the most important dates for American culture.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

At present, it is one of the main economic powers in the world despite being one of the youngest nations, since it has a little less than 250 years as an independent country. It is capable of producing today approximately one fifth of the world's economic output.

Another of the sectors in which the United States appears as a great influencer is in the world of the arts. In areas such as theater, music and cinema, this country has a fairly broad and firm industry within the national and international market. They are one of the main film producing countries worldwide.

On the other hand, the music industry is also one of the best positioned. This is how the United States has become the cradle and catapult of many artists in the world.

On the other hand, sports are one of the most treasured hobbies for Americans. Basketball, soccer, hockey and others are the country's traditional sports passions and are often part of daily life, whether through practice, as a spectator or through fanaticism. Sport also appears as another of the highly successful industrialized sectors within the country.

Traditions

In the United States some commemorative dates are celebrated that have become the main traditions of the country. Several of these celebrations have managed to influence international culture, which is why they are also celebrated in different parts of the world. The culture of the United States is among the most influential in the world today.

July 4, Independence Day

It is one of the most important holidays in the United States and is celebrated nationally. It has been part of the public holidays since 1941 although the beginnings of the celebration of Independence Day date back to the 18th century specifically in the times of the American Revolution.

On July 4, 1776, after the Continental Congress voted for independence, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, drawn up by Thomas Jefferson. From this moment on, during this day, parties are held around the entire country with public events and family gatherings.

Currently, the celebrations include a huge fireworks display, picnics, family barbecues, concerts, and even some political speeches. On the other hand, decorations of public spaces are also made with the colors of the flag: red, blue and white.

Halloween

It is a holiday celebrated every October 31. It is not part of the official holidays of the United States, however, it is a very popular tradition in the country and the world.

Halloween comes from the Celtic culture, specifically from the celebration of "Samhain", which dates back more than 1000 years ago. For this culture, the new year was celebrated on the first day of November.

According to their beliefs, it was the time of year when the boundary between the world of the living and the dead blurred. This day marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter, a season that was frequently associated with cold and death.

On the night of October 31, the "Samhain" was celebrated, at which time it was thought that the ghosts returned to earth. Originally large bonfires were lit and people wore costumes made with skins and animal heads.

Later, other cultures were changing or merging their own celebrations with this Celtic tradition. Starting in the 1920s, in the United States, Halloween became a fairly popular secular celebration.

Nowadays, people, especially children and teenagers, dress up and carry out activities such as trick-or-treating, costume parties and more.

Thanksgiving Day

It's an official holiday time in the United States when people often take a day or two off from work or school to celebrate the blessings of the year. The tradition comes from an event that occurred in 1621, when a group of Europeans known as the "pilgrims" held a feast together with the native inhabitants.

The Thanksgiving feast commemorated the good times of harvest in the American lands. In turn, it was also a great form of gratitude for the natives who helped the Europeans to find effective ways of growing their crops.

The celebration traditionally consists of family gatherings in which a great feast is shared, with the usual recipes that are turkey, stuffed bread, potatoes and pumpkin pie.

The goals are to express gratitude for the year lived and enjoy time with loved ones. Also, Thanksgiving marks for Americans the beginning of the Christmas season.

Memorial day

A memorial day dedicated to all the fallen soldiers who have given their lives in service to the country. It has its origin from the American Civil War or Civil War, possibly during the 60s.

It was known in the first instance as Decorate Day, due to a tradition that was born during this time, which consisted of decorating the graves of deceased soldiers with flowers and also praying over them.

From that moment on, this tradition spread throughout the country. After other warlike conflicts such as the First World War, Memorial Day began to be an occasion to honor fallen soldiers in any circumstance of service to the United States, it was no longer limited to a commemoration of the Civil War.

Currently Memorial Day is held on the last Monday of May. Caravans including military personnel are made throughout the country. On the other hand, some citizens decide to visit cemeteries or monuments.

Memorial Day also unofficially represents the beginning of summer, so there are also people who hold parties and gatherings between friends and family.

Christmas

There are various versions about the origins of Christmas, however, one of the most popular speaks of the Christianization of a popular festival of the Roman Empire known as "dies solis invicti nati" (day of the birth of the indomitable sun) that was associated with the rebirth of the sun after winter and that would later be associated with the birth of Jesus.

However, Christmas, as it is known today in the United States, goes beyond the Christian tradition. Starting in the 19th century, the concept of Christmas has to do with a time dedicated to unity, peace and nostalgia.

Part of this new idea of this holiday comes from the writings of influential authors such as Washington Irving's "The sketchbook of Goffrey Crayon", which told of stories about how Christmas was celebrated inside an English mansion where the guests were invited. farmers to celebrate these dates.

Another influential author within the Christmas customs was Charles Dickens with works such as "Christmas Carol" in which charity and kindness are highlighted. These events have for years sensitized the culture of the United States during these dates. Over time, new customs such as tree decorations, Christmas letters and gift exchanges were added.

Custom

Tipping

It is quite frequent and well seen, to leave a tip when you receive good service. When it comes to taking taxis, going to a restaurant or some kind of similar service, it is common to thank with some extra money.

Asking "how are you?" when greeting

It is customary in the United States for people to greet by asking "how are you?" It is a pleasant way to receive someone and it is a greeting that is usually answered with a "good, thank you."

Love for sport

It is one of the most important habits in American culture. It is important to give thanks first of all, both for what is given and for what is received.

Brunch

It is a custom that has been spreading throughout the world and consists of a meal that works as a mixture of breakfast and lunch. It is a strong meal or breakfast in the hours around noon.

Gastronomy

The hamburger

The hamburger is one of the typical dishes of the United States, known worldwide

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

It is one of the most popular and typical dishes of American culture. In a traditional way, the hamburger consists of a kind of sandwich made up of two round slices of bread, stuffed with meat and some extra ingredients such as lettuce, pickles, tomato and a variety of sauces. It is presumed that the origin of this dish in the United States comes from German immigrants.

Apple pie

It is one of the typical desserts in North American cuisine. It was popularized since the 18th century and it is presumed that it came to America during the time of European colonization, specifically from English, Dutch and Swedish cuisine.

As its name implies, it is a pie filled with apple. It is often served with whipped cream or accompanied by ice cream. It usually has a complete cover or in the form of a grid or grid.

Hot dogs or hot dog

Another of the typical dishes within American food and in the daily life of this society are hot dogs. It is the well-known sandwich stuffed with sausage, specifically the one known as “wiener”.

Among other typical ingredients that are added to the hot dog are sauces such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. You can also include onions, jalapeños, pickles, cheese, and more.

Buffalo wings or buffalo chicken wings

It is a recipe invented by Anchor Bar in the Buffalo, New York area, in 1964. It has become very popular in American cuisine. It consists of fried chicken wings and then dipped in a spicy sauce made with vinegar and pepper. Before serving it is usually poured over the wings, a little melted butter.

The expansion of this recipe has been such that it has led to the creation of fast food chains that include this dish in their gastronomic offerings.

The meatloaf or meatloaf

It comes from the gastronomic tradition of countries like Germany, Scandinavia and Belgium. The development of the American meatloaf comes from the "scrapple", a combination of pork meat and cornmeal that was served by the Americans of German origin who inhabited the colonies.

The popularity of meatloaf within American society is also due to the times of the Great Depression, when it was frequently prepared as a savings measure.

The American recipe includes, in addition to meat, additives such as garlic, pepper, parsley, ketchup, butter and salt. In addition to using soft bread crumbs and eggs for its preparation.

Music

The artistic and musical culture of the United States is diverse, having been influenced by different parts of the world over time, such as Africa and regions of Europe. The variety of genres can be found include rock, jazz, blues, pop, soul, techno, disco, hip hop, country, funk and more.

Today, the United States has one of the strongest music industries in the world. Both its artists and the products that are generated within the country, have global reach and have influenced the musical culture of many other regions and continents.

Religion

Multiple beliefs or religions coexist in the United States. The majority of the country's inhabitants consider themselves Christian, around 70%. However, within the same Christian faith there are various currents of faith such as Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, the Tetigos of Jehovah and others.

On the other hand, there are non-critical communities that represent approximately 5% of the religious population in the US, including Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus.

There are also groups that do not identify with any faith, which represent 1.5%, including atheists or agnostics. Finally, there is 15% who say they do not believe in something in particular.

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AMERICAN CULTURE: TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, MUSIC, CLOTHING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025