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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.

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For centuries, tales of a woman living in a hut on chicken legs have blurred the line between villain, helper and something more complex.

Halloween festivities have been part of White House history since the 1950s.

Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Learn all about its history, costumes, foods, Halloween movies and more.

From pagan rituals to costumes and candy corn, discover how Halloween—and its associated traditions—has evolved through the ages.

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Dracula's Lost Palace

Vlad Dracula earned his nickname "The Impaler" for a gruesome sight he left at his abandoned palace.

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Vampire History

Vampire legends have permeated many cultures, but is there any truth to these blood-sucking, un-dead creatures?

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The Haunted History of Halloween

Halloween was originally called Samhain and marked the end of the harvest season for Celtic farmers.

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The History of Postmortem Photography

In the 1850s, families began commissioning portraits of their deceased loved ones in a trend that came to be known as "memento mori" photography.

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The practice can be traced to the ancient Celts, early Roman Catholics and 17th-century British politics.

Explore the origins behind witch costume features—the hat, the black dress, prominent nose and green skin.

Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival celebrated from October 31 to November 1. It marks the end of the harvest and the oncoming winter.

The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of dead relatives for a reunion.

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What began as ceremonies practiced by the ancient Aztecs evolved into a holiday recognized far beyond the borders of Mexico.

When teenage boys vandalized towns on Halloween of 1933, town leaders created parties, parades and haunted houses to keep them occupied.

While the fears may be overblown, Halloween crimes involving poison have occurred.

Which famous French explorer is credited with naming them?

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