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Annual Observances

From religious and patriotic holidays to celebrations of ethnic pride, explore the history of Easter, Passover, New Year's Day, Veterans' Day, Memorial Day and more annual observances.

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A Samhain festival in Glastonbury.

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Samhain

Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow‑win”) is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. It is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.”

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Christopher Columbus

Columbus Day 2025

Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus was an Italian‑born explorer who set sail in August 1492, bound for Asia with backing from the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella aboard the ships the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Columbus intended to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and […]

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Brooklyn students light a candle celebrating Ujamaa (CooperaUNITED STATES - DECEMBER 29: Brooklyn students light a candle celebrating Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), one of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, during a celebration at the American Museum of Natural History. The celebration kicks off the Museum's 2005 Kwanzaa festival, which will take place Dec. 29-31. (Photo by Linda Rosier/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa History The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a […]

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An Iranian girl buys bean sprouts on the occasion of Norooz, the Iranian new year, in Tehran, March 2000.

Nowruz – Persian New Year

Nowruz is a 13‑day festival marking the Persian New Year and the first day of spring. The holiday symbolizes renewal and harmony with nature.

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History Shorts: Earth Day's Environmental Origins

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2:53 minTV-PG
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Ramadan

Ramadan is the most holy Islamic holiday.

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2:47 minTV-PG

History of Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the first of ten Jewish high holy days ending with Yom Kippur.

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0:58 secTV-PG

Chinese New Year in San Francisco

New Year’s traditions in China are thousands of years old, but across the Pacific, the holiday took on a life of its own.

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1:02 minTV-PG

Daylight Saving Time

While Daylight Saving is fairly harmless today, its origins lie in one of the most violent episodes of world history.

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A soldier holds an American flag at a cemetery.

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What Is the Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day honor U.S. military personnel—but they arose for different reasons.

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A groundhog handler holds Punxsutawney Phil after his 2012 weather prediction in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Groundhog Day: History and Facts

Explore Groundhog Day’s shadowy history as well as interesting facts about the custom.

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special.

7 Surprising Facts About Classic Holiday TV Specials

Get behind‑the‑scenes details about stop‑motion specials like “Rudolph the Red‑Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”

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Lit candles in a menorah.

8 Hanukkah Traditions and Their Origins

From lighting a menorah, to giving out gelt, to eating cheese—find out how these Hanukkah traditions began.

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This Day in History

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This Day in History Video: What Happened on November 26

Annual Observances

This Day in History Video: What Happened on February 27

Annual Observances

This Day in History Video: What Happened on April 1

Annual Observances
1869

America’s first Labor Day

Annual Observances
1700

April Fools’ tradition popularized

Annual Observances
2001

First Muslim holiday U.S. postage stamp is issued

Annual Observances
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