Search Results for “Holidays”

History of the Holidays: Easter | Video

A look at the holiest day on the Christian calender

Holiday Foods: Turkey | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip we learn about Thanksgiving traditions and about turkey. David Rosengarten talks about a new trend that has come up with turkey. Today many people are deep frying their birds. He talks about how this trend started in the south and has spread.

History of the Holidays: Passover | Video

In a History of the Holidays video, learn the origins of Passover, a Jewish seven to eight day spring holiday which honors their ancestors escape from slavery at the time of the Egyptian pharaoh. During this holiday, people partake in a Seder feast, where they read from a book which recounts their slavery and the man who set them free, Moses. They read about Moses birth, adoption, and vision in the burning bush, where he realizes he must let his people go. The book recounts the ten plagues that God placed upon Egypt, including the death of your firstborn son. Moses told the Jewish people to sacrifice a lamb to God and put its blood on their front doors. When God enacted the slaying of the first born son, he passed over the doors with lambs blood, slaying no one. This is where the term Passover comes from. Learn about the meaning behind the foods eaten at Passover and about the meaning of the Seder plate. Also discover why Jewish people remove drops of wine from their glasses during this celebration.

Holiday Foods: Easter Eggs | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip, we learn about what people traditionally eat on Easter Sunday. One major food that is associated with Easter is eggs. Famous Fat Dave talks about the history of the egg and its connection to Easter. We also learn how to make different egg dishes.

Holiday Foods: Easter Ham | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip, we learn about what people traditionally eat on Easter Sunday. The traditional dish that is eaten is the Easter Ham. Famous Fat Dave talks about some of the history and traditions behind Easter. We also learn how to prepare an Easter Ham.

Holiday Foods: Pumpkin Pie | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip we learn about Thanksgiving traditions and about pumpkin pie. Famous Fat Dave goes to a bakery to learn how to make pumpkin pie and talk about the history of the dish. He says that it was most likely not at the first Thanksgiving, for the pilgrims sugar supply was low.

History of the Holidays: New Year | Video

In a History of the Holidays video, learn about the origins of New Years celebrations and discover how the holiday and its traditions have changed and remained the same since the Mesopotamians celebrated the New Year in 2500 B.C. Although we dont celebrate New Years according to the spring and fall equinoxes or take a weeks time to celebrate the holiday like the Mesopotamians did, we share some New Years rituals with the ancient people. Ever wonder where New Years resolutions come from? Well this prominent New Years tradition can actually be linked back to these Babylonian people! Eventually people began creating their own calendars, causing the New Year to be celebrated at a more exact time of year, and even a more exact day. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar had a Roman calendar created called the Julian calendar. Late Pope Gregory XIII updated the Julian calendar by eliminating ten days from the year to coincide with the seasons; this is the calendar we still use today. On the eve of New Years, half a million people gather in New York Citys Time Square to watch the ball drop, which many Americans have been doing since 1907. Many other people will attend New Years Eve parties, or give a kiss at midnight, while even others may even work on their New Years resolutions. Although our celebrations today are different, the message behind them is still the same.

Holidays: The Village Halloween Parade | Video

In this History Channel video clip we learn about the New York Village Halloween Parade. Much preparation goes into making all the costumes for the parade through the work of volunteers. The costumes are gigantic paper mache constructions that can take months to build.

Holiday Foods: Cranberry Bog | Video

In this Holiday Foods video, photographer Peter Guttman talks about what it is like to photograph cranberry bogs when cranberries are being harvested. He talks about how there are cranberry bogs from New Jersey to Boston, but people don't know about them. He also says he likes to get into the bogs with the workers.

Holiday Foods: Corned Beef and Cabbage | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip, we learn about what people traditionally eat during St. Patrick's Day. The traditional meal that is eaten on St. Patrick's Day is corned beef and cabbage. Famous Fat Dave talks about the history of St. Patrick's Day. He also learns how to make corned beef and cabbage.

History of the Holidays: Veterans Day | Video

In a History of the Holidays video, discover the origins of Veterans Day, which was formerly known as Armistice Day in honor of those who served in The Great War, also known as World War I. This holiday was set to be celebrated on November 11th in honor of the truce that ended WWI on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year 1918. As ceremonies, memorials, and festivities continued to be held in honor on this day, Armistice Day was declared a national holiday in 1938 by the United States Congress. But after World War II, Americans wanted to show their appreciation for those who served in the latter war as well; therefore, President Eisenhower changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day which would honor all those who had served in the wars; this is how it remains today, every year on November 11th. In 1968, however, the date for Veterans Day was moved in order to give workers a three day weekend. Many Americans were opposed to this change because of the historic value November 11th holds. Responding to popular demand, President Ford moved the date of Veterans Day back to November 11th in order to re-instate the holidays historic value.

King — History of the Holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Video

A look at the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

History of the Holidays: New Year's Eve | Video

In a History of the Holidays video, discover the origins of New Years Eve and learn how the celebration did not always take place on the same date; in fact, some cultures celebrated New Years Eve in spring and fall. The first New Year celebration dates back to 2500 B.C. in Mesopotamia, where people partook in a week long festival with New Year rituals. The Mesopotamian New Year celebration is thought by many to be the original celebration, even though it was celebrated twice a year: around the time of the spring and the fall equinox. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar had a Roman calendar created called the Julian calendar. Late Pope Gregory XIII updated the Julian calendar by eliminating ten days from the year to coincide with the seasons; this is the calendar we still use today. On the eve of New Years, half a million Americans gather in Time Square to watch the ball drop, many others attend New Years Eve parties, while even others work on their New Years resolutions. Although our celebrations today are different, the message behind them is still the same.

MLK federal holiday declared — 11/2/1983 | This Day in History

President Ronald Reagan signs a bill in the White House Rose Garden designating a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., to be observed on the third Monday of January.

Roman Holiday opens, featuring Hepburn’s first starring role — 8/27/1953 | This Day in History

On this day in 1953, Roman Holiday, featuring Audrey Hepburn in her first starring movie role, premieres in New York City. Hepburn’s performance in Roman Holiday, as a European princess who ditches her official duties and falls for an American journalist (played by Gregory Peck) while on tour in Rome, earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress and instantly established her as a leading Hollywood star.

Lincoln proclaims official Thanksgiving holiday — 10/3/1863 | This Day in History

Kennedy and Khrushchev exchange holiday greetings — 12/31/1961 | This Day in History

FDR establishes modern Thanksgiving holiday — 11/26/1941 | This Day in History

Woodrow Wilson proclaims the first Mother's Day holiday — 5/9/1914 | This Day in History

Holidays Toys: Christmas Unwrapped | Video

This History Channel video covers the evolution of Santa Claus in various countries, starting with St. Nicholas in the Middle Ages to the modern Santa Claus in America. Clement Clark Moore's Twas the Night Before Christmas, illustrated by Thomas Nast, gave Santa his modern look.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

FDR establishes modern Thanksgiving holiday — 11/26/1941 | This Day in History

Black Women Musicians — Billie Holiday | Photo Gallery

Billie Holiday (1915-1959), nicknamed

Christmas Traditions — Holiday Spirit | Photo Gallery

Over 250,000 lights decorate the home of Dominic Luberto in Boston. Luberto spends two months preparing the lights on the house in time for the holiday season (photographed 2006).

Christmas Traditions — French Department Store Holiday Window | Photo Gallery

A young boy looks at holiday toys displayed in the window of a department store in Paris, December 8, 2005.

Christmas: History of Santa Claus — Stock Up for the Holidays | Photo Gallery

Illustrator Haddon Sundblum created many Coca-Cola ads that featured Santa Claus.

Valentine's Day

This holiday celebrates love, romance and the story of St. Valentine.

Labor Day

The last major holiday of summer, Labor Day celebrates the American worker.

Memorial Day | Photo Gallery

Images of memorials and celebrations of the Memorial Day holiday.

History of Valentine's Day | Video

In this episode of History of the Holidays, learn the history of Valentine's Day. Learn about St. Valentine, cupid, and why the holiday is celebrated on February 14th. Valentine's Day brings in about 14 billion dollars annually.

The History of Veterans Day

November 11 is Veterans Day, a U.S. federal holiday dedicated to honoring veterans who served honorably in war or peacetime.

History of Kwanzaa | Video

Discover the history of the holiday of Kwanzaa, its roots and how it's become the afro-centric holiday for Americans of African descent. Do you know where the name Kwanzaa comes from and what it stands for. Many do not know that Kwanzaa was meant to be a social and not religious holiday. See the history of Kwanzaa at History.com's

Seder

(Hebrew: “order”), a religious meal served in Jewish homes on the 15th and 16th of the month of Nisan to commence the festival of Passover (Pesah).

Hand Made Chocolate | Video

Famous Fat Dave creates an unforgettable box of chocolates for his special someone.

Columbus Controversy

As the classroom rhyme goes, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and discovered America. But there is more to the story of the explorer we celebrate with a federal holiday on the second Monday of every October.

Bank Run

In the early 1930s, a wave of bank runs--which occur when a large number of depositors lose confidence in bank security and request their deposits in cash at the same time--helped drive the United States deeper into the Great Depression.

Halloween: Primal Fear: Controlling Fear | Video

Primal Fear suggests three ways on how to control your emotions during an intense situation.

Halloween: Primal Fear: Fear and Memory | Video

Primal Fear looks into how memory affects your emotional state.

Halloween: Primal Fear: Fear and the Brain | Video

Primal Fear explains how the brain works in reaction to fear.

Halloween: The Face of Fear | Video

Primal Fear suggests two functions of the facial expression of fear.

Haunted History of Halloween | Video

In this History of the Holidays segment, the History Channel examines Halloween. Discover the history of Halloween and how the Celts played a part in this popular holiday in Europe. Although not an American tradition find out who brought their folklore to this country and see how All Hallows Eve has become an staple of American culture.

Strange Christmas Traditions | Video

Ruled a legal holiday in 1894, Christmas has had its fair share of strange traditions.

Christmas Traditions Worldwide

Probably the most celebrated holiday in the world, Christmas is a product of hundreds of years of traditions from around the globe.

Mardi Gras

A Christian holiday also known as Carnival, Mardi Gras has its roots in pagan festivals and is famously celebrated in Brazil, Venice and New Orleans.

Passover

Holiday commemorating Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt on the eve of the Exodus.

Fourth of July Barbecue | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip, we get to join host Famous Fat Dave, as he uncovers the history of the Southern American tradition known as the Barbecue. On July 4th, the barbecue is huge in America, and you will learn this right here. Watch and see how the best barbecue in the nation is done when Dave joins cooks who know how to grill.

July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip, we take a look at the famous food of July 4th. The hot dog is known around the world as being one of the biggest, most well-liked foods in America. Learn the history of the dog, and see an eating challenge as well. You won't want to miss the eat off between Fat Dave and champion Badlands in this hilarious face off video.

History of Hanukkah | Video

Discover the history of the holiday of Hanukkah; where it originated and how it is celebrated today. Learn about the menorah and its origins within the Jewish culture. Read more on how Hanukkah is a celebration of triumph over persecution. Courtesy of the History Channel's

Christopher Columbus: Man and Myth | Video

Learn about Columbus Day and the man and myth that is Christopher Columbus. Discover why Columbus really sailed around the world and it wasn't to see if the earth was round. See how Columbus landed in what is now known as the West Indies believing it was India. Learn more about Columbus at History of the Holidays by the History Channel.

Passover Matzo | Video

In this Holiday Foods video clip, we learn about what people traditionally eat during Passover. The traditional food that is eaten for Passover is matzo. Famous Fat Dave talks about the history Passover and its traditions. He also learns how to make matzo.