Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Japanese Holidays"

Hi everybody,

I hope that you had a good "Silver Week," which included both "Respect for the Elderly Day" (敬老の日) on the 21st and the "Autumnal Equinox" (秋分の日）on the 23rd.

Here is a list of several holidays that we celebrate in Japan. Do you know when they are and how to say them in English?

（１）節分、（２）元旦、（３）七夕、（４）ひな祭り
（５）天皇誕生日、（６）文化の日、（７）昭和の日
（８）アランの誕生日、（９）みどりの日、（１０）こどもの日

How many did you know? Here are the answers:
（１）February 3rd or 4th - The Bean Throwing Ceremony
（２）January 1st - New Year's Day
（３）July 7th - The Star Festival
（４）March 3rd - The Doll Festival
（５）December 23rd - The Emperor's Birthday
（６）November 3rd - Culture Day
（７）April 29th - Showa Day
（８）February 8th - Alan's Birthday (VERY IMPORTANT!)
（９）May 4th - Green(ery) Day
（１０）May 5th - Children's Day

What's your favorite holiday? I like "Respect for Dogs Day" (敬犬の日）best. It's on April 1st.

Later,

Chibi