U.S. Holidays

The US is a country filled with many different kinds of cultures and traditions so that means that there's also many kinds of holidays as well. Because there is just so many holidays that many people outside the US don't know about I wanted to make a little calendar list of all of the them for you guys.

September

Sept 1 Labor Day

Sept 6 Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
Sept 7 National Grandparents Day
Sept 11 Patriot Day

Sept 17 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Sept 19 National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Sept 23 September equinox

Sept 28 Gold Star Mother's Day

October
Oct 6 Child Health Day
Oct 9 Leif Erikson Day
Oct 13 Columbus Day
Oct 15 White Cane Safety Day
Oct 16 Boss's Day
Oct 18 Sweetest Day
Oct 23 Diwali/Deepavali
Oct 31 Halloween

November
Nov 2 Daylight Saving Time ends
Nov 11 Veterans Day
Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day

DecemberDec 1 Cyber Monday
Dec 6 St Nicholas' Day
Dec 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec 17 Pan American Aviation Day
Dec 17 Wright Brothers Day
Dec 21 December Solstice
Dec 24 Christmas Eve
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Kwanzaa
Dec 31 New Year's Eve

JanuaryJan 1 New Year's Day
Jan 13 Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Jan 19 Martin Luther King Day

FebruaryFeb 1 National Freedom Day
Feb 2 Groundhog Day
Feb 6 National Wear Red Day
Feb 14 Valentine's Day
Feb 16 Presidents' Day
Feb 17 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday
Feb 19 Chinese New Year

March

Mar 1 St. David's Day
Mar 2 Read Across America Day
Mar 8 Daylight Saving Time starts
Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day
Mar 20 March equinox

AprilApr 5 Easter Sunday
Apr 6 National Tartan Day
Apr 13 Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
Apr 15 Tax Day
Apr 21 National Library Workers' Day
Apr 22 Administrative Professionals Day

MayMay 1 Law Day/Loyalty Day
May 2 National Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Day
May 5 Cinco de Mayo
May 6 National Nurses Day
May 7 National Day of Prayer
May 10 Mothers' Day
May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day/National Defense Transportation Day
May 16 Armed Forces Day
May 20 Emergency Medical Services for Children Day
May 22 National Maritime Day
May 25 Memorial Day/National Missing Children's Day

JuneJun 6 D-Day
Jun 14 Flag Day
Jun 21 June Solstice
Jun 21 Fathers' Day

July
Jul 4 Independence Day
Jul 26 Parents' Day

AugustAug 14 My Birthday!!! :P
Aug 19 National Aviation Day
Aug 21 Senior Citizens Day

These are just a few in the many number of holidays celebrated in the US and most I have never heard of before. But I do hope this list helps you to recognize or learn some of the holiday's that we celebrate or observe here. I hope you all have had a wonderful summer and I can't wait to meet you guys in the next few weeks!

by Kemia
For a list of holidays and breaks at EMU, visit http://www.emich.edu/registrar/calendars/.

Top 10 Must See Places in Michigan!

While attending EMU you are not limited to just Ypsilanti and the surrounding cities
in the area. Michigan is a huge place and has a variety of things to offer for people to see. So I have compiles a list of the top 10 places that I think are a must see when your in Michigan.

10. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

The Museum not only shows the life of Henry Ford and the history of the Ford Motor Company but also shows artifacts from America's history as well. Some of these artifacts are the bed used in army camps by President George Washington, the chair President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated and the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated.

Next to the museum is Greenfield Village which is a living history museum that shows life in America in its early days. It also includes a farm, Thomas Edison's workshop and a Ford's Model T car.

9. Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth a.k.a "Muth" a.k.a. "Little Bavaria", is a little German city in Michigan. The town was founded by Bavarian immigrants from Germany back in 1845 and the town (as well as the surrounding towns) still holds on to these roots. The city is mostly known for Bronner's Christmas Wonderland which is supposedly the worlds largest Christmas store.

Me and my family used to visit every year to visit the Bavarian-themed shops and restaurants. It really is an interesting little town and I recommend anyone in Michigan to stop by.

8. Mackinac Island

To get to this gorgeous little place you take a ferry boat and once you finally get there you are taken back to a Victorian time. Motorized vehicles are banned so bicycles, horseback, and horse-drawn carriages are the norm. The island is a national historic site and the majority of the island is a national park. I have never been there myself but the island hosts lilac, fudge, and music festivals.

7. Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Lakeshore that takes up a large portion of Michigan's eastern coastline. This park was mainly established for its beauty and it includes forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena.

I have never been to this park either but in 2011 the area won the title of "The Most Beautiful Place in America" from Good Morning America.

6. Great Lakes

Michigan is surrounded by three lakes: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. Lake Michigan has the largest surface area of any freshwater body in the world and tons of people come here to camp, swim, picnic, fish and hike. On the coastline of the lakes include beach towns, wineries, golf courses, lighthouses, and amusement parks. I have had the privilege to visit all of these lakes as well as 4 of the 5 total great lakes (the fourth being Lake Ontario). All of them are equally gorgeous so you only need to visit one.

5. The General Motors Building

The General Motors Building is the tallest building in Michigan and is still home to General Motors and sits in the city of Detroit. Inside the building includes shops, restaurants, a hotel, and other businesses that you can visit. Also the building houses a movie theater that me and my friends used to regularly visit which shows movies for 5$ before 6:00 p.m. Behind the building is the river walk which sits on the Detroit river across from Canada. You can walk up and down this riverfront and just enjoy the sights or go get an ice cream and ride the carousel. It is a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the city.

4. Dearborn
The city of Dearborn was the home of Henry Ford and is the world headquarters of the Ford Motor Company. Even though this city was settled by French farmers in the 18th century, it is known for having the most people of middle eastern descent outside of any middle eastern country. So because of this fact it is not uncommon at all to see signs in Arabic or buildings, shops, and restaurants dedicated to middle eastern culture.

3. Belle Isle

Belle Isle is an island state park located on the Detroit River and is between the US and Canada. It is connected to Detroit by the MacArthur bridge and is the largest city-owned island park in the US. The island is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Belle Isle Conservatory, the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, the Detroit Yacht Club on an adjacent island, the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a Coast Guard station, a municipal golf course and many other numerous monuments.

 

2. Ambassador Bridge/Detroit-Windsor Tunnel


The Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. It is the busiest international border crossing in North America and is one of the only two Canada–US border crossings, the other being the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is an underground tunnel connecting Detroit with Windsor, Ontario in Canada. So if you are planning on visiting Canada these will be your ways of getting there.

1. Motown Historic Museum

Because I am an avid music lover my top place to see in Michigan is Hitsville USA/Motown Historic Museum. It was the first studio and offices of Motown Record Corporation  where the company got its first start to produce hit records. You can go in and see where stars like Smoky Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, the Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye stood as they recorded music. Also it was not only a recording studio but was once the home of Berry Gordy Jr. who is the founder of Motown. You can view exhibits explaining the company's entire history, listen to Motown music and buy souvenirs.

There are so many things Michigan has to offer, too many to list but I hope that my list helps you to narrow your decision on a place to visit or tour during your stay here.

by Kemia

What is great about Ypsilanti?

Learn more about the great places and events that Ypsilanti has to offer! http://www.awesomemitten.com/places/ypsilanti-bucket-list-michiganders/

Free activities in town

Summer is here and it's finally time to get outside and explore the city! And what better way to do that than for free? Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor are bustling with free events to keep you entertained without breaking your wallet. Here are a few of the highlights:

What: Depot Town Cruise Nights

Classic cars drive through Depot Town while music plays!

When: June 5-September 11, 6-9 pm

Where: Cross Street, Depot Town

For more info: http://visitypsinow.com/events/depot-town-cruise-nights/

What: Ypsilanti Heritage Festival

Music, food, dancing, and entertainment for adults and kids!

When: August 15-17

Where: Riverside Park

For more info: http://www.ypsilantiheritagefestival.com/

What: Ann Arbor Summer Festival

Free movies and music at night!

When: June 13-July 6

Where: Rackham Stage

For more info: http://a2sf.org/desktop/

What: First Fridays Ypsilanti

Free art shows in local restaurants and stores.

When: First Friday of every month

Where: Various restaurants and locations in Ypsilanti

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Fridays-Ypsilanti/552291158134650

What: Ypsilanti District Library

Various programs for children, adults, and families. 

When: Almost every day during the summer

Where: YDL-Whittaker, YDL-Michigan, YDL-Superior

For more info: http://www.ypsilibrary.org/events

There are many more ways to get free things in town. Is your birthday in June, July, or August? If so, you are in luck! There are many opportunities to get free meals or dessert for your birthday! Just check out these websites:

http://localwiki.net/ann-arbor/Birthday_Deals

http://freebirthdaymeals.org/index.php?city=Ypsilanti&state=MI

Or perhaps you have heard of the Color Run? It is a 5K that is run through Ypsilanti, and there are groups of people who throw color at you! Many families and groups of friends run this race together, and it is lots of fun and very popular....and expensive. One easy way to enjoy the Color Run for free is to take some chairs outside and just sit and watch! Or you can even volunteer to help at the race-you get a T-shirt! Take a look at this site:

http://thecolorrun.com/ypsilanti/

You don't have to spend money to have fun here in town! Happy Summer!

by Clarissa