Groundhog Day

Groundhog day is an American and Canadian tradition, although it has European origins. On February 2, farmers use a groundhog's behavior to foresee if winter is going to end or not.

Pennsylvania Germans started this tradition, which was at first a German costume, where they used a badger instead of a groundhog. There are also similarities with Celtic ancient festivities. 
On Groundhog day, a groundhog wakes up and comes out of its burrow. If it's cloudy, the groundhog will stay out, and that means that winter is about to end. If it's sunny, the groundhog goes back inside, theorically because it sees its shadow, and winter will last another six weeks. Many towns in the USA and Canada celebrate festivals around this event, with food, music and speeches. The largest one is held in Punxutawney, Pennsylvania, with the groundhog called Phil. The film "Groundhog Day" made this festival particularly famous. 

Groundhog Day is an important tradition in a huge part of North America, and even if it's quite unknown here, it's always interesting to check how other cultures have fun superstitions as well. So, if you enjoy beer, German dialects and groundhogs, you should visit one of these towns on February 2.

4th July - by Jesús García Gallego

4th of July

4th of July is one of the most important days for an American person. Every patriot in United States of America take 4th of July as the biggest moment in the year to commermorate the United Stated Declaration of Independence. 

The National day of U.S.A. originated in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed in Filadelfia the 4th of July. Since that year, americans celebrate this day as the birth of their country and the beginning of the nation. There weren`t as much states as today, just 13, but nowadays it is common for all of them.

Today, 4th of July is based on having some free days and families uses it to have picnic`s together. Parades are organizated as well and americans can enjoy them on the streets. At night, in complete darkness, fireworks are the main attracion. Huge institutions have their own fireworks, but the greatest for americans are the ones which are shot at home. They can be even homemade, but the importance is on having a great time with the family and friends.

In short, every 4th of July is probably the date that americans are looking fordward to come and an unforgettable expererience for visitors. 

San Fermín

     Every year in Pamplona, people celebrate San Fermín in honour of Saint Fermín. It takes place from 6 to 14 of July, during nine days.

     The holiday origined in 1950. But before, from the 12th century, Fermín was christened in Pamplona and he became the first bishop from that city. When he died in Pamplona a lot of children were christened there and after many years the tradition began, and then it became too popular.

     This festival is known internationally for the corrida (running with bulls). It is a race where people ran along the streets with a lot of bulls next to them and they should come to the plaza (a place like a rounded square where bull's running take place). Apart of that, it is also celebrated the Txupinazo party which consists in yelling: ''Pamplonenses, viva San Fermín, Gora San Fermin!'', and then, people get crazy and get drunk. During the holiday people usually wear white clothes and a red hangkerchief around their necks.

     To sum up, staying in this festival can be something outstanding, but if you go to San Fermín, you'll enjoy with the people of Pamplona and their parties. 

Brazilian Carnival

   The Carnival of Brazil is an annual festival. It take place 40 days before Easter. 
  
   Spanish and Portuguese people were who brought this festivity to Brazil. This people adapted to the special habits of Brazil. That´s how the Carnival of Brazil arose. But its originin take back to the European Carnival that consist in throwing water from one person to another to purify the body.
   Today, they are more elaborated. There are schools that participate in it. They have a year to prepare the festivity. Each school choose one specific topic and it is exposed in the parade with dancers, carriages and colours.

   In short, the Carnival of Brazil is one of the most joyous festivities. If I visited Brazil, I would go to this Carnival, it must be amazing.

Bastille Day.

France celebrates Bastille Day on July 14th.This day commemorates the end of the French monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution. This day a big group of people rebelled against France's King and Queen.


The french revolution and more specifically the Storming of the Bastille was due to the fact that their King and Queen were corrupted. People decided to storm the most important prision, the Bastille. This action started the French Revolution, wich took over 10 years. The revolution achieved a lot of changes, the monarchy was over and the 4th of July became the national day 100 years after the storming of the Bastille. 

Today the Bastille Day is a very important day for every single french person, as 4th of July for Americans. They celebrate it with fireworks, music, festive dances and bands. Every city has its own firework display and all the people come and see it, after that it is typical to go to a bar and to be with your family. 

4th July- Andrea Santana

In the United States the Fourth of July is celebrated all around the country. It’s a day  commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, concerts, baseball games and political speeches. But why is the 4^th of July a National Day of the United States?

The origin of this day is that during the American Revolution, the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain where legally separated on July 2, 1776, when de Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee. Then the Congress turned its Attention to  the Declaration of Independence, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Finally the Congress approved the Declaration on July 4. Now a Days the Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July , is a federal holiday that commemorates the Delaaration of Indepence on July 4 of 1776 .

Today, many politicians use this day to appear at a public event to praise the nation’s heritage, sometimes using this appearing as a business and political event. However, it is a great day for family reunions, picnics or barbecues, some morning parades and evening fireworks where you’ll have a fantastic time.

Brazil Carnival

Brazil carnival is a yearly festivitie that starts 40 days before Pascua marking the Cuaresma's start.


The source cames from spanish and portugese sailors where there was a mixt in afro-brasilian culture
The european origen date back in a kind of carnival called Introito which it was characterized in holy water thrown together which was banned for being too violent.


Now a days carnival is made up of people who dress up as a subject or a specific shape.
This festival is a great enhancer of the samba schools which habren whole year to prepare for the carnival.


In conclusion, although i had never been in brazil, i recommend go there and see the carnival, because it's a beautifull festivitie.


Sergio Heredia Carmona