Holidays
Holidays hold a special place in cultures around the world and each carry their own unique history, shaped by centuries of traditions and beliefs. From religious observances such as Yom Kippur and Ramadan to patriotic celebrations such as July Fourth and Presidents' Day, explore the stories behind the holidays.
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Lent, the 46-day period of prayer and fasting that leads up to Easter, was once a preparatory period for new converts.
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer.
The celebration of Irish culture takes place annually on March 17. Learn about the origins and history of St. Patrick’s Day in this article.
Easter celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Learn about the Christian holiday’s history, meaning and traditions.
Lunar New Year
The Chinese New Year
The 15-day-long Chinese New Year celebration originated from an ancient Chinese legend of the monster Nian.
3 Holy Spring Holidays
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Many rituals that mourn fallen U.S. soldiers originated in European battlefield customs.
Every May, Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
No one can seem to agree on exactly where Memorial Day began.
At the close of the Civil War, people recently freed from slavery in Charleston honored fallen Union soldiers.
Both holidays honor U.S. military personnel, but they arose for different reasons.
Memorial Day has changed signficantly since the first observance after the Civil War.
The Remembrance Day symbolism of the poppy started with a poem written by a World War I brigade surgeon who was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield.
The Fourth of July has been a cause for celebration since 1776.
Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States.
The spring holiday recognizes active and former U.S. military members.
Celebrated since the early 20th century, Father’s Day wasn’t a national holiday until 1972.
Carnations have been the official flower of Mother’s Day for more than 100 years.
Ann Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe, two early advocates for Mother’s Day, urged communities to gather in peace.
The date of Mother’s Day hasn’t changed since the holiday began in 1914.
Mother’s Day has been held every May in the United States since the early 20th century.
