Holidays: History of Federal Holidays

More to History: Armed Forces Day Began With the Stroke of a Pen

What did it finally take to get a day to celebrate all of our active‑duty armed forces members?

More to History: A Disaster for Veterans on Labor Day

What started as a goodwill program to help veterans in need became one of the darkest moments in how America treats its heroes.

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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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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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St. Patrick’s Day and the American Revolution

St. Patrick’s Day in 1776 was more than just an Irish‑American celebration… it was also a step towards freedom.

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The White House Easter Egg Roll

The Easter Egg Roll is an annual White House tradition dating back over a century, but how did presidents start hosting this egg racing ritual?

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Mardi Gras in New Orleans Came from a Secret Society

New Orleans is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, but its history is much more mysterious than you might think.

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New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

We all watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, but the ball has its own history that began well before Times Square.

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How Nutcrackers Became A Holiday Icon

Wooden nutcracker soldiers are staples of the holiday season, but what do they actually have to do with Christmas celebrations?

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The Invention of Christmas Lights

Electric lights have been a holiday spectacle for generations, and the first ones actually came from the inventor himself—Thomas Edison.

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Honoring Veterans Day

Historian and author Don Miller discusses the importance of Veterans Day.

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Labor Day’s Railroad Strike Roots

Labor Day in the United States actually started across the border in Canada, after a struggle involving newspaper printers, outdated laws and political rivalries.

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