Outstanding People of the USA

The fates of many famous people of America have very much in common.

Thus, one of the most well-known statesmen of the USA, Abraham Lincoln, was born in 1809. His father was a poor farmer and the boy had to work much on their small farm. But he read a lot, too. When he grew older he felt a strong interest to law. He became a lawyer and he always tried to use the law to defend people. In 1846 he was elected to Congress. There he said he was against slavery. In 1860 he became the President of the USA. In 1864 Abraham Lincoln was elected the President again, but a year later he was killed by his enemies in a theatre in Washington.

An American inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, was born in Ohio in 1847. His family was not rich and the boy’s education was limited to three months in the public school. When he was 12 he started to work. Several years later Edison learned telegraphy and became a telegraph operator. He wanted to improve the telegraph system and worked very hard at it. After a few months of work he built a transmitter of a new kind. This was his first important invention. The other two of Edison’s greatest inventions were the gramophone and the electric lamp. Edison believed that only work could bring success.

So did many of the famous American writers. O’Henry, for instance, a well-known short-story writer had to earn his living from the age of fifteen and he educated himself with the help of friends.

Another famous American novelist, TheodoreDreiser had to leave school and work at a factory when he was still a boy. Later he became a newspaper correspondent and then he began to write books. He wrote such popular novels as “Sister Carrie”, “Financier”, “Titan”, etc.

Выдающиеся люди США

Судьбы многих знаменитых людей Америки имеют очень много общего.

Так, один из наиболее известных государственных деятелей США - Авраам Линкольн, родился в 1809 году. Его отец был бедным фермером, и мальчик много работал на своей маленькой ферме. Но он много читал, тоже. Когда он вырос, он почувствовал сильный интерес к праву. Он стал адвокатом и всегда пытался использовать закон для защиты народа. В 1846 году он был избран в Конгресс. Там он выступил против рабства. В 1860 г. он стал президентом США. В 1864 году Авраам Линкольн был избран президентом вновь, но год спустя он был убит своими врагами в театре Вашингтона.

Американский изобретатель - Томас Альва Эдисон, родился в штате Огайо в 1847 году. Его семья не была богатой и образование мальчика было ограничено тремя месяцами в государственной школы. Когда ему было 12 лет он начал работать. Через несколько лет Эдисон узнал о телеграфии и стал телеграфистом. Он хотел улучшить телеграфную систему и упорно работал онад ней. После нескольких месяцев работы, он создал передатчик нового типа. Это было его первое важное изобретение. Другие два величайшие изобретения Эдисона - патефон и электрическая лампа. Эдисон считал, что только труд может принести успех.

Так делали и многие известные американские писатели. О'Генри, например, известный писатель, был вынужден зарабатывать себе на жизнь в возрасте 15 лет и он занимался самообразованием с помощью друзей.

Другому известному американскому писателю Теодору Драйзеру пришлось оставить школу и работать на заводе, когда он был еще мальчиком. Позже он стал корреспондентом газеты, а затем он начал писать книги. Он написал такие романы, как "Сестра Керри", "Финансист", "Титан" и т.д.

Holidays in Great Britain

There are fewer public holidays in Great Britain than in other European countries. They are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, and Summer Bank Holiday. Public holidays in Britain are called bank holidays, because the banks as well as most of the offices and shops are closed.

The most favourite holiday is Christmas. Every year the people of Norway give the city of London a present. It's a big Christmas tree and it stands in the Trafalgar Square.

Before Christmas, groups of singers go from house to house. They collect money for charities and sing carols, traditional Christmas songs. Many churches hold a service on the Sunday. before Christmas.

The fun starts the night before, on the 24th of December. Traditionally this is the day when people decorate their trees. Children hang stockings at their beds, hoping that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and fill them with toys and sweets.

Christmas is a family holiday. All the family usually meet for the big Christmas dinner of turkey and Christmas pudding. And everyone gives and receives presents. The 26th of December, Boxing Day, is an extra holiday after Christmas. Its the time to visit friends and relatives.

New Years Day is not such favourable in Britain than Christmas. But in Scotland Hogmanay, New Years Eve is the biggest festival of the year.

Besides public holidays, there are some special festivals in Great Britain. One of them takes place on the 5th of November. On that day, in 1605, Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. He didn't succeed. The King's men found the bomb, took Guy Fawkes to the Tower and cut off his head.

Since that day the British celebrate the 5th of November. They burn a dummy, made of straw and old clothes, in a bonfire and let off fireworks. This dummy is called a "guy" (like Guy Fawkes).