Culture & Traditions
Cultures and Traditions takes a look at how people interact with each other. This might be through sub-cultures, relationships, fads or religion and spirituality.
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Becoming a saint in the Roman Catholic Church is designed to be lengthy and difficult process. What are steps involved in canonization?
We have all heard that anytime the thirteenth day of the month falls on a Friday that it is considered an unlucky day. Where did this notion come from? Find out the answer to that question in this article.
Believe it or not, there's more to St. Patrick's Day than beer and gaudy green attire. How do the saint, the shamrocks and the famous Blarney Stone all come together?
By Melissa Russell-Ausley
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Did you know that the word "mistletoe" comes from two Anglo-Saxon words meaning "dung" and "twig"? Learn how and why this romantic tradition came to be committed under an unfortunately named shrub.
It's time to unpack the ornaments, string up the popcorn, and yes -- untangle those lights. Plan on piling it all on a fresh Christmas tree? Learn about the different types and how to pick the perfect one.
How did Halloween become the one day of the year when door-to-door begging for candy isn’t just allowed … it’s encouraged? Get a ghoulish glimpse into the surprising origins of everything from jack-o’-lanterns to trick-or-treating.
By Tom Harris
Americans typically view Labor Day as the official end of summer and a free day off from work. But have you ever stopped to think about who was behind it? And why is it celebrated in early September?
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What's the story behind the acronym R.S.V.P.? And what is the proper etiquette when you get an invitation that requests you R.S.V.P.?
By Sarah Gleim
Learn all about the springtime celebration of Easter, from its origins to the (often wacky) worldwide variations in its observance.
By John Airey
Someone told me that if there are 20 people in a room, there's a 50/50 chance that two of them will have the same birthday. How can such a small group have two people with the same birthday in it?
It's a Scottish phrase sung all over the world on New Year's Eve, but what does it really mean?
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When the clock struck midnight on December 31, 1999, Hawaii was one of the last places to celebrate the new year that year. Where was the first place to celebrate the new year that night? Find out in this article.
When did the Valentine's Day frenzy begin? Was there really a saint named "Valentine"? Why the flowers and chocolate? Learn all about the origins and symbols of Valentine's Day.
A fascinating article that explains the techniques and science behind verbal self-defense!
If you've ever been standing in your living room with a strand of Christmas lights that just won't work, you'll love this article. Learn what's going on so you can fix it yourself.