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.
Inside LA's Forest Lawn, Where the Biggest Celebrities Rest in Peace
Is Human Composting the Greenest Burial Option?
What's With Germany's Strict Burial Regulations?
Try a Tattoo Without the Commitment
Ways to Keep Your Old Tattoos Looking Fresh and New
The Nose Knows: 5 Questions to Ask Before a Septum Piercing
What Are the 10 Largest Cities in the World by Population?
Sacred Pipes Mean Way More Than Peace for Native Americans
Chautauqua Has Promoted Free Speech and Learning for Nearly 150 Years
Januarius, Februarius, Mars, Aprilis? How Each Month Got Its Name
New Oxford Dictionary Will Document African American English Lexicon
How Are Words Removed From a Dictionary?
Celebratory Yard Signs Are Having a Major Moment
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! You Know the Jingle, Now Hear the Chia Pet Story
Has Guinness World Records Set Any World Records?
5 Family Traditions for New Babies
5 Family Anniversary Traditions
5 Family Traditions for Daughters
La Pascualita: Bridal Shop Mannequin or Embalmed Corpse?
What Is the Real Meaning Behind 'Ring Around the Rosie'?
If You Hear the Cries of La Llorona, Run
The Firm vs. the Family: How Does the British Monarchy Really Work?
What's the Difference Between a Duke and an Earl?
Having a Cherokee Ancestor Doesn’t Necessarily Make You Cherokee Too
How the Millennial Generation Works
Millennials Are Making Birthday Cards a Thing Again
Nope, Boomers and Xers Don’t Work Harder Than Millennials
What Do A.M. and P.M. Stand For?
The 'X' Factor: Why Some Advocates Prefer 'Latine' to 'Latinx'
Why Do We Say White Collar and Blue Collar?
National Bubble Wrap Day? Who Is Making Up These Weird Holidays?
Mexico's Night of the Radishes, a Quirky Christmas Tradition
How the 19th Century Invented Modern Christmas
What Are the Most Common Last Names in the World?
A Look at the White House's Most Memorable Weddings
The Immigrant Paradox: Why Acculturation Should Not Mean Assimilation
There's More Than One Way to Be Monogamous
Hey Dad! The Famous Fathers Quiz
Famous Mothers Quiz
Why Are the Biblical Gog and Magog Considered Sinister?
The Sacred History of 'Mormon Underwear'
What Does 'Shana Tova' Mean?
Reading the Rails: What Was the Hobo Code?
Afrofuturism: Where Technology, Culture and the Black Experience Meet
Who Is Karen and Why Is She So Mad?
Quiz: Finish That Jingle!
How One Woman Unexpectedly Became the Voice of Siri
There's a Healthier Way to Consume Your Media
Learn More / Page 39
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah celebrates a very special triumph over religious persecution, when the Jews were able to escape oppression at the hands of Antiochus, a Syrian king.
In Islam, Ramadan is the holiest time of the year. For a month, Muslims fast during daylight hours to show their devotion to Allah. Find out what Ramadan is all about.
Yom Kippur is marks the end of a 10-day period during which Jews seek forgiveness for their sins so they can make a fresh start. It's considered to be the holiest day of the Jewish year.
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Rosh Hashanah is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish religion, celebrating the Jewish New Year and three other important themes.
By Julia Layton
The fear of Friday the 13th isn't exactly grounded in scientific logic. But that doesn't stop us from feeling that it's unlucky.
By Tom Harris
Did you know that servers, guides, drivers, concierges and others who help us dine and travel sometimes aren't paid even minimum wage by their employers? They depend on customer gratuities. Want to know what to tip and when?
No computers? No electricity? This lifestyle might seem tough to most of us, but to the Amish, it's the norm. Read about the Amish culture, see pictures and learn how and why the Amish live as they do.
By Stephen Wise
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OK, so a good friend of mine was driving down the highway and he picked up this hitchhiker… Urban legends are the basis for some truly spooky ghost stories. See how the tales get started and how they make their way to you.
By Tom Harris
Mother's Day is set aside in many countries as a day to honor our mothers and grandmothers. The origin of this day can be traced back much farther than you might think. Learn about the history of this special day.
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.
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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
Did you know that the word "mistletoe" comes from two Anglo-Saxon words meaning "dung" and "twig"? We'll tell you how and why humans decided to kiss under this 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
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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 who was behind it? And why is it celebrated in early September?
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
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!
Have you ever been standing in your living room with a strand of Christmas lights that just won't work? We'll explain why this happens and how one bad bulb can spoil the whole bunch.