Holidays

From religious and patriotic observances to celebrations of ethnic pride, explore the history of Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Memorial Day and more.

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Memorial Day

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Mother’s Day 2021

GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND – MAY 01: Members of the Cam Valley Morris Men dance at a May Day dawn celebration in front of St. Michael’s Tower on Glastonbury Tor on May 1, 2013 in Glastonbury, England. Although more synonymous with International Workers’ Day, or Labour Day, May Day or Beltane is celebrated by druids and pagans as the beginning of summer and the chance to celebrate the coming of the season of warmth and light. Other traditional English May Day rites and celebrations include Morris dancing and the crowning of a May Queen with celebrations involving a Maypole. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

May Day

HISTORY: Presidents Day

Presidents' Day 2022

HISTORY: Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah

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Veterans Day 2021

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History of Arbor Day

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Earth Day 2021

Pakistani girls show their hands decorated with Henna, ahead of the Muslims festival of Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of holy Fasting month of Ramadan, in Multan Pakistan, on September 18, 2009. In Pakistan, mehndi is known more commonly as Henna. This is a plant whose leaves leave an impression on the skin—particularly palms and feet—of women very much like a tattoo. However, while the tattoo is permanent, Henna effects lasts about three to four weeks at best. The color varies from dark red to deep brown depending upon how long the henna is kept on the skin. Sometimes, addition of oil and lemon make the color darker and last longer. (Image by © MK CHAUDHRY/epa/Corbis)

Ramadan

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Cinco de Mayo

HISTORY: Easter

Easter 2021

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April Fools’ Day

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Passover

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Easter Symbols and Traditions

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Chinese New Year Traditions

ca. 1914-1918, Manhattan, New York, New York, USA — Mrs. Herbert Carpenter, bearing an American flag, marches in a parade for women’s suffrage on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

Women’s History Month 2021

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Chinese New Year 2021

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Imbolc

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Mardi Gras 2021

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