Other Holidays
Looking for information on popular holidays and events celebrated around the world? Holidays profiled in this section include Mardi Gras, Kwanzaa, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving and even Festivus!
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The national American holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. falls on the third Monday in January. Learn about the life and work of this legendary civil rights activist.
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.
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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.
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
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.
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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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?
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?
When did the Valentine's Day frenzy begin? Was there really a saint named "Valentine"? And why all the flowers and chocolate? Learn all about the origins and symbols of Valentine's Day.