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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Kwanzaa is a one-week holiday that ends on New Years Day. Founded in 1966, Kwanzaa combines aspects of several African harvest celebrations.
Here’s a look at 25 ways Americans have celebrated the Christmas season, from singing songs to swapping cookies and ugly sweaters.
Epiphany—Theophany or Three Kings Day—is a Christian holiday, celebrated in January, honoring the events occurring after the birth of Jesus.
The 8-day Jewish holiday known as Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt.
Santa Claus, otherwise known as St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle, has a long history steeped in Christmas holiday traditions.
Germany is credited with popularizing Christmas trees as we know them today, and by the 1800s, this tradition made its way to America.
Christmas, celebrated on December 25, is a religious holiday and a cultural phenomenon that builds upon ancient winter solstice traditions.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is one of Judaism’s holiest days and, with Yom Kippur, forms the High Holy Days in the Jewish religion.
The retail bonanza known as Black Friday is now a big part of many Thanksgiving holidays, but this tradition has some dark origins.
Veterans Day is a US holiday dedicated to all veterans. Formerly called Armistance Day, Veterans Day 2026 occurs on Wednesday, November 11.
Americans have been celebrating workers since the late 19th century, but exactly who is responsible for the holiday is debated.
What did they eat at the first Thanksgiving? When did Thanksgiving became a holiday? Get Thanksgiving trivia to share around the table.
After a major expansion in 1924, Macy's decided to throw New York City a parade.
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving 2026 occurs on Thursday, November 26.
Christopher Columbus' 1492 arrival in the Americas controversially changed the world and the lives of the Indigenous people he encountered.
Columbus Day 2026, a day to celebrate Christopher Columbus' voyages and Italian-American heritage, occurs on Monday, October 12.
