October 27, 2021

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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Samhain

Young man sounding a Shofar. An instrument used in the jewish golidays of Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

HISTORY: Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah

Labor Day

Labor Day 2021

A boy holds the front legs of a goat at a livestock market in Yemen's capital Sanaa on July 14, 2021, as people buy provisions in preparation for the Eid al-Adha holiday celebrations. - Known as the "big" festival, Eid Al-Adha is celebrated each year by Muslims sacrificing various animals according to religious traditions, including cows, camels, goats and sheep.

Eid al-Adha

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

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr

HISTORY: The Fourth of July

Fourth of July – Independence Day

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Father’s Day 2021

HISTORY: Memorial Day

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

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Veterans Day 2021

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History of Arbor Day

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Earth Day 2021

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Cinco de Mayo

HISTORY: Easter

Easter 2021

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April Fools’ Day

Videos

10 Thing You Learned in History Class That Were TOTALLY WRONG
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10 Thing You Learned in History Class That Were TOTALLY WRONG

The White House Easter Egg Roll
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The White House Easter Egg Roll

Daylight Savings Time
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Daylight Savings Time

St. Patrick’s Day and the American Revolution
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St. Patrick’s Day and the American Revolution

Mardi Gras in New Orleans Came from a Secret Society
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Mardi Gras in New Orleans Came from a Secret Society

The Invention of Christmas Lights
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The Invention of Christmas Lights