For Migrant Workers, Still the Harvest, and the Shame

Americans to mark holiday with family, festivities : Videos

Military Family Flips the Switch on more than 300000 Holiday Lights at Disneyland Resort Military Family Flips the Switch on more than 300000 Holiday Lights at Disneyland Resort Disneyland Resort partners annually with "it's a small world" sponsor, SYLVANIA, to host one special family at Disneyland park, who ... Rated: 4.75     Duration: 71 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:28:32 PST	Memorial Day 2012: Children in Military Families Remember Lost Fathers Memorial Day 2012: Children in Military Families Remember Lost Fathers As Americans prepare to fire up the grill, open the pool, and enjoy the holiday weekend, President Obama is paying tribute to the nation's men ... Rated: 4.1666665     Duration: 100 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sun, 27 May 2012 18:49:47 PDT	Happy 4th of July - Happy Independence Day 2012 - songs for children Happy 4th of July - Happy Independence Day 2012 - songs for children and Celebrate USA what it means to be an American have a spectacular July 4th? Hope You and The family have a great holiday. ... mrsxalas ... Rated: -1     Duration: 97 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:24:59 PDT	PRESIDENT OBAMA PARDONS A TURKEY ON THANKSGIVING 2012 - Thursday, November 22nd, NAMED COURAGE ! PRESIDENT OBAMA PARDONS A TURKEY ON THANKSGIVING 2012 - Thursday, November 22nd, NAMED COURAGE ! in some cities and towns on or around Thanksgiving Day. Some parades or festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. Some ... Rated: 4.6923075     Duration: 141 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:13:46 PDT
American Families Fasting During Ramadan. American Families Fasting During Ramadan. Ramadan begins in United States Quick Facts Many Muslims in the United States fast in the hours of daylight during Ramadan, the ninth month in the ... Rated: 5     Duration: 599 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:32:33 PDT	We Salute You Memorial Day 2012 We Salute You Memorial Day 2012 prosperity. As we prepare to mark this Memorial Day, it is a privilege to recognize the service and sacrifices of your American sailors and their ... Rated: 5     Duration: 358 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Thu, 24 May 2012 09:49:35 PDT	Video: String of Attacks Has Muslim Community on Edge (CAIR) Video: String of Attacks Has Muslim Community on Edge (CAIR) increasing security heading into this weekend, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Muslims typically mark the end of Ramadan ... Rated: 3.5     Duration: 160 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 04:47:43 PDT	Memorial Day Memorial Day States Armed Forces. As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end. Many people visit ... Rated: 3.6666667     Duration: 35 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sat, 26 May 2012 15:03:07 PDT
Thanksgiving Day 2012 Thanksgiving Day 2012 in some cities and towns on or around Thanksgiving Day. Some parades or festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. Some ... Rated: -1     Duration: 668 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:50:25 PST	Disneyland: 2012 Small World Lighting Ceremony Disneyland: 2012 Small World Lighting Ceremony ceremony for Small World was held. The Marine Corps. Staff Sergeant Mark Plummer and his family "flipped the switch". For more pictures ... Rated: -1     Duration: 788 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:41:24 PST	Terrorist attack in shula iraq Terrorist attack in shula iraq A powerful car bomb exploded in Damascus on Friday as a truce intended to mark a Muslim religious holiday unravelled. USA-NY STABBING: New York ... Rated: -1     Duration: 57 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:07:06 PDT	Jay Cochrane Skywalk 2012 Media Announcemetn Jay Cochrane Skywalk 2012 Media Announcemetn as well as casino excitement, Niagara was recently named Trip Advisor's #1 Family Holiday destination in Canada. Visit visitniagaracanada.com ... Rated: -1     Duration: 180 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:41:22 PDT
Vietface - Thanksgiving Day 2012 Vietface - Thanksgiving Day 2012 in some cities and towns on or around Thanksgiving Day. Some parades or festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. Some ... Rated: -1     Duration: 2285 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:15:41 PST	Ramos Family Christmas Card 2011 Ramos Family Christmas Card 2011 Every year, our family looks back at the year that has passed to review and highlight key family events. This has evolved into a family tradition ... Rated: 5     Duration: 170 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:45:28 PST	Top 8 Canadian Recreational Properties by Ross PAVL, Cottages, Cabins & Holiday Escapes Top 8 Canadian Recreational Properties by Ross PAVL, Cottages, Cabins & Holiday Escapes Ontario dominates the current listings of great escapes to cottage country! For more information please visit www.RossPAVL.com Bracebridge, ON ... Rated: 5     Duration: 89 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Tue, 29 May 2012 12:15:21 PDT	Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery (2007) Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery (2007) Memorial Day is an American federal holiday observed annually on the last Monday of May.[1] Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women ... Rated: -1     Duration: 560 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:58:21 PDT
West Wing Week: 12/02/11 or "Bo Meets Bo" West Wing Week: 12/02/11 or "Bo Meets Bo" prevent a thousand dollar tax increase on the typical American family, the White House got spruced up for the holidays. The President also hosted ... Rated: 4.3862433     Duration: 243 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:41:16 PST	Supressed Minds- www.SuppressedMinds.com Supressed Minds- www.SuppressedMinds.com the law in the name of the law—Proclaim liberty Min. 40. The mark of the new world—Mark V prod. 41. America's back to God—Liberty Alliance ... Rated: 2     Duration: 11 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sun, 24 Jun 2012 12:25:23 PDT	Worst Cooks in America Season 1 Episode 1 Worst Cooks in America Season 1 Episode 1 the law in the name of the law—Proclaim liberty Min. 40. The mark of the new world—Mark V prod. 41. America's back to God—Liberty Alliance ... Rated: 2     Duration: 11 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sun, 24 Jun 2012 12:25:23 PDT Rated: 4.5     Duration: 2534 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 09:13:43 PDT	Roman Festivals - Wiki Article Roman Festivals - Wiki Article This article is about ancient Roman holidays. For the symphonic poem by Ottorino Respighi, see Feste Romane. Festivals in ancient Rome were an ... Rated: 5     Duration: 1735 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:17:18 PST
The Great Gildersleeve: Disappearing Christmas Gifts / Economy This Christmas / Family Christmas The Great Gildersleeve: Disappearing Christmas Gifts / Economy This Christmas / Family Christmas Premiering on August 31, 1941, The Great Gildersleeve moved the title character from the McGees' Wistful Vista to Summerfield, where ... Rated: 3.1333334     Duration: 5371 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:14:24 PDT	Easter and Passover Greetings: Weekly Address from President Obama (2012) Easter and Passover Greetings: Weekly Address from President Obama (2012) population, Easter is a public holiday. Some European and other countries in the world also have Easter Monday as a public holiday. In Canada ... Rated: 5     Duration: 137 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:18:41 PDT	Eid Al-Fitr 2012: A Celebration At The End Of Ramadan Eid Al-Fitr 2012: A Celebration At The End Of Ramadan calendar, Eid al-Fitr, also known as Eid ul-Fitr or Eid, is a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan (a holy month of fasting observed by ... Rated: -1     Duration: 93 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:27:42 PDT	History of The United States - Wiki Article History of The United States - Wiki Article era See also: Native Americans in the United States It is not definitively known how or when the Native Americans first settled the Americas and ... Rated: 5     Duration: 6633 seconds     Video type: YouTube     Hosted by: www.youtube.com on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 03:24:39 PDT

Americans to mark holiday with family, festivities : Photo Gallery

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - US news AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - US news Americans to mark holiday with	AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES Millions of Americans piled	NEW YORK: AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES ... NEW YORK: AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES ... Americans to mark holiday with	CadillacNews. CadillacNews. Americans to mark holiday with
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AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES President Obama, with daughters Sasha, center, and Malia, right, carry on the Thanksgiving tradition of saving a turkey from the dinner table with a "presidential pardon," at the White House on Wednesday. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, AP) ...	Thanksgiving reflection: A holiday that fits the times Thanksgiving reflection: A holiday that fits the times By Mark Hester, The Oregonian The Oregonian ... Though it has roots in historical events and religious practice, the holiday has never had the type of specific tie that defines Christmas, Independence, Presidents and Martin Luther King Jr. days ...	Holiday calendar of events 2012 Holiday calendar of events 2012 7, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave.; make a live wreath; wreaths are constructed on wire frames with greenery collected from the garden; materials are harvested just prior to the class to ensure they will last throughout the ...	Powerful surveillance tool 'Skywatch' draws gawkers downtown Powerful surveillance tool 'Skywatch' draws gawkers downtown An estimated 147 million Americans are expected to hit the stores on Black Friday and the weekend that follows, marking the traditional kickoff to a... Read more » · Opinion ... As the middle of five siblings, Shandra Spicer grew up watching her mother ...
These Are The 9 Most Unnecessarily Offensive Thanksgiving Ads These Are The 9 Most Unnecessarily Offensive Thanksgiving Ads Thanksgiving ads are generally pretty basic: there's food, family, football, and some quirky Black Friday spots. But some brands have missed mark with their holiday advertisements and stepped into the realm of unnecessarily, and sometimes flagrantly, ...	In the spirit In the spirit The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) has several holiday performances and events coming up in December. First, Utah's preeminent ballet company, Ballet West, brings America' oldest complete “Nutcracker” to the center from Dec. 5-9. The beloved .... in ...	For Migrant Workers, Still the Harvest, and the Shame For Migrant Workers, Still the Harvest, and the Shame The haunting images, the terse language and body language, are links to the mechanisms of slavery itself. Yet the events portrayed in the show occurred within the living memory of a hundred million or so Americans, folks who are now just in their 60s ...	Thanksgiving: Is it About The Turkey? Thanksgiving: Is it About The Turkey? Like Thanksgiving, it brings up memories of people (some long gone), places (from which we've moved), and events (superseded by more current happenings). ... My late husband's family was hardworking, of Swedish-Danish roots (that's where the “quist” in ...
Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving – has long been called the single ... Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving – has long been called the single ... But as the United States marks its Thanksgiving holiday Thursday, it is also braced for Black Friday, a one-day, coast-to-coast, orgy of mercantile greed that has become not just part of the annual tradition but, for many, the main event. ... to ...	The Planner: NCW events through December The Planner: NCW events through December 30, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wenatchee; Pianist-conductor Wilson P. Alvarez, soprano Amedee Moore sing a variety of songs; $15 per person, $40 family, 662-4569. Photo provided. CommonBond 5 will perform two “Christmas in the Country” ... Illumni Men ...	KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceAP Top News at 5:42 ... KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceAP Top News at 5:42 ... But America's political leadership welcoming Myanmar back to the. ... Jesse Jackson Jr.'s resignation from Congress might end his once-promising political career but it doesn't mark the end of troubles for the civil rights icon's son. ... NEW YORK (AP ...	About Town: Area Event Listings About Town: Area Event Listings Enjoy open house festivities from 11 am-7 pm, which will include holiday festivities, music, food & workshops (Nov 24 also) and “Winter Shadows” An Exhibition; the tree lighting at 5:30 pm. with local fiddlers and a visit from Santa & Mrs Claus ...
Thanksgiving pop-culture plans Thanksgiving pop-culture plans Ever since I started participating in the year-end Best Films Of The Year round-ups, my Thanksgiving-weekend ritual has been pretty much the same: huge Thanksgiving dinner with my partner's family and neighbors (they live here in Chicago, my family is ...	Maplewood Village is Holiday Shopping Mecca Maplewood Village is Holiday Shopping Mecca Maplewood Village is a premier local shopping destination for holiday shopping, with an abundance of great family-owned shops, restaurants and more. The Village was even profiled recently on ... "We love the focus the American Express promotion has put ...	Personal Statement: Why I love ads Personal Statement: Why I love ads Pumpkin spice lattes dictate when fall begins, and the arrival of peppermint mochas mark the beginning of my holiday festivities. I'm painfully aware of how susceptible I am ... One of the commercials featured a black family, and the other a white ...	Amazon.com Black Friday Deals: 2012 Amazon.com Black Friday Sales Are ... Amazon.com Black Friday Deals: 2012 Amazon.com Black Friday Sales Are ... This is not only time and money saved but also translates to more time spent with family and loved ones after the Thanksgiving celebrations. Items bought from Amazon.com's Black Friday sale are delivered free of charge and shoppers are still protected ...

Americans to mark holiday with family, festivities : Latest News, Information, Answers and Websites

is santa real?

Answer: You have to believe in your heart that he is real. Actually, he was a real person at one time, but now your parents just carry on his duty. THE HISTORY OF SANTA CLAUS Santa Claus hasn't always looked like the jolly old fellow we know today. Like so many other American traditions, he's a product of the great American melting pot - a blend of many different cultures and customs. His earliest ancestors date back to pre-Christian days, when sky-riding gods ruled the earth. The mythological characters Odin, Thor, and Saturn gave us the basis for many of Santa's distinctive characteristics. But the most influential figure in the shaping of today's generous as loving Santa Claus was a real man. St. Nicholas of Myra (now Turkey), a fourth century bishop. As a champion of children and the needy, he was legendary for his kindness and generosity. A TRADITION OF BENEVOLENCE In a well known story illustrating St, Nicholas' benevolence, we find two of the basic principles of the holiday spirit - giving to others and helping the less fortunate - as well as the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace. According to this legend, there were three Italian maidens whose families had fallen on hard times. Because their father could not afford the dowries necessary for them to marry, he was considering selling one of his daughters into slavery to get dowries for the other two. When the good saint heard of the family's plight, he went to their home late one night and anonymously tossed three bags of gold down the chimney. Miraculously, a bag fell into each of the sisters stockings, were hanging by the fire to dry. His kindhearted gift made it possible for all three sisters to marry. A variation of this story is that as each girl was ready to wed, St. Nicholas came in the middle of the night when no one could see him and tossed a bag of gold through an open window into her stocking. The idea of gifts being delivered through an open window may have begun as a way to explain how Santa enters homes that have no chimney. PATRON SAINT Because of his wisdom and sensitivity, many groups claimed St. Nicholas as their patron saint. Children, orphans, sailors, and even thieves often prayed to the compassionate saint for guidance and protection. Entire countries, including Russia and Greece, also adopted him as their patron saint, as well as students and pawnbrokers. Throughout his life, St. Nicholas tried to help others while inspiring the to imitate his virtues. Legends of his unselfish giving spread all over Northern Europe, and accounts of his heroic deeds blended with regional folklore. Eventually, the image of the stately saint was transformed onto an almost mystical being, one known for rewarding the good and punishing the bad. The date of his death, December 6th, was commemorated with an annual feast, which gradually came to mark the beginning of the medieval Christmas season. On St. Nicholas' Eve, youngsters would set out food for the saint, straw for his horses and schnapps for his attendant. The next morning, obedient children awoke to find their gifts replaced with sweets and toys, found their offering untouched , along with a rod or a bundle of switched. St. Nicholas' Day is still observed in many countries, and gifts are exchanged in honor of the spirit of brotherhood and charity that he embodied. THE MAKING OF SANTA CLAUS After the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, the feasting and veneration of Catholic saints were banned. But people had become accustomed to the annual visit from their gift-giving saint and didn't want to forget the purpose of the holiday. So in some countries, the festivities of St. Nicholas' Day were merged with Christmas celebrations, and although the gift-bearer took on new, non-religious forms, he still reflected the saints generous spirit. In Germany, he appeared as Weihnachtsmann, in England as Father Christmas, and in France, as Pèrè Noël, who left small gifts in the children's shoes. In the areas where St. Nicholas was still portrayed as the gift-bearer, a host of other characters developed to be his assistants. Two of his most well-known helpers were Knecht Ruprecht and the Belsnickle. Depending on the local tradition, they were either attendants to St. Nicholas or gift-bears themselves, but in all cases, both were fearsome characters, brandishing rods and switches. It was not only their dusty to reward good children but also to reprove children who were naughty and couldn't recite their prayers. Knecht Ruprecht (meaning Servant Rupert) was also by other names such as Black Peter (so called because he delivered the presents down the chimney for St. Nicholas and became blackened with soot). In some places, the images, of Knecht Ruprecht and St. Nicholas merged to form Ru Klaus (meaning Rough Nicholas - so named because of his rugged appearance), Aschen Klaus (meaning Ash Nicholas - because he carried a sack of ashes as well as a bundle of switches), and Pelznickle (meaning Furry Nicholas - referring to his fur clad appearance). Not all of St. Nicholas' companions were frightening. In fact, the Christkindl (meaning Christ Child) was thought to accompany him in many countries. Often portrayed by a fair-haired young girl, this angelic figure was sometimes the gift-bearer too. SANTA IN AMERICA Immigrants to the New World brought along their various beliefs when they crossed the Atlantic. The Scandinavians introduced gift-giving elves, the Germans brought not only their Belsnickle and Chistkindle but also their decorated trees and the Irish contributed the ancient Gaelic custom of placing a lighted candle in the window. In the 1600's, the Dutch presented Sinterklaas (meaning St. Nicholas) to the colonies. In their excitement, many English-speaking children uttered the name so quickly that Sinterklaas sounded like Santy Claus. After years of mispronunciation, the name evolved into Santa Claus. In 1808, American author Washington Irving created a new version of old St. Nick. This one rode over the treetops in a horse drawn wagon "dropping gifts down the chimneys of his favorites." In his satire, Diedrich Knickerbocker's History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, Irving described Santa as a jolly Dutchman who smoked a long stemmed clay pipe and wore baggy breeches and a broad brimmed hat. Also, the familiar phrase, "...laying his finger beside his nose...," first appeared in Irving's story. That phrase was used again in 1822 in the now-classic poem by Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," more commonly know as "The Night Before Christmas." His verse gave an Arctic flavor to Santa's image when he substituted eight tiny reindeer and a sleigh for Irving's horse and wagon. It is Moore's description of Santa that we most often think of today: "He had a broad face, and a little round belly, that shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly." Up to this point, Santa's physical appearance and the color of his suit were open to individual interpretation. Then in 1863, Thomas Nast, a German immigrant, gave us a visual image of the cheerful giver that was to later become widely accepted. When Nast was asked to illustrate Moore's charming verse for a book of children's poems, he gave us a softer, kinder Santa who was still old but appeared less stern than the ecclesiastical St. Nicholas. He dressed his elfin figure in red and endowed him with human characteristics. Most important of all, Nast gave Santa a home at the North Pole. For twenty-three years, his annual drawings in Harpers Weekly magazine allowed Americans to peek into the magical world of Santa Claus and set the stage for the shaping of today's merry gentleman. Artist Haddon Sundblom added the final touches to Santa's modern image. Beginning in 1931, his billboard and other advertisements for Coca Cola-Cola featured a portly, grandfatherly Santa with human proportions and a ruddy complexion. Sunblom's exuberant, twinkle-eyed Santa firmly fixed the gift-giver's image in the public mind. St. Nicholas' evolution into today's happy, larger-than-life Santa Claus is a wonderful example of the blending of countless beliefs and practices from around the world. This benevolent figure encompasses all the goodness and innocence of childhood. And because goodness is his very essence, in every kindness we do, Santa will always be remembered. Sorry, that might be too long for you to read, but it will give you a handful of information!
Category: Christmas

Why do people think that Halloween is a Satanic/Evil Holiday ?

Why do people think that halloween is evil? They juts end up ruining everyones fun! Theres no point in going around telling children that they are going to hell for getting candy. Also, what do you think about the phrase trick-or-treat" isnt it a little threatening? My grandma says that as a child she used to say halloween apples.
Answer: I have no idea why people think its evil or satanic. You can thank religion for that. The funny part of that is most holidays orginated from all pagan holidays. There is nothing wrong with saying trick or treat. Although there are some creeps out there who truely are inapproriate with there behavior. that's why on halloween you only go to doors which have there lights on and houses you know. The history of halloween is based on a old celtic festival known as Samhaim. Which is a festival honor the dead. How can honoring your elders be evil and yet and ever bible its says honor the mother and father is that evil... NO. Ancient Origins Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter. By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween. By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas. Modern Traditions The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money. The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.
Category: Halloween

Inside The Times: November 28, 2008

International U.N. SAYS TALIBAN IS STOCKPILING Opium to Ensure Income The United Nations said that Afghanistan had produced so much opium in recent years that the Taliban were cutting poppy cultivation and stockpiling raw opium in an effort to support prices and preserve a major source of financing for the insurgency. A report showed that poppy

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES | Be 2 One

Airports, trains and highways were expected to remain busy as people made their way home for Thanksgiving.

THE NEW SEASON CLASSICAL MUSIC; From Chant Wars To Dr. Atomic

Dates are subject to change. September MADAMA BUTTERFLY The New York City Opera is already in session, having last week presented new productions of Strausss Capriccio and Gilbert and Sullivans Patience, and a revival of Mark Lamoss acclaimed production of Puccinis Madama Butterfly, repeated today. These and another revival, of - By JAMES R. OESTREICH; Compiled with the assistance of Ben Sisario.

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES | www.wftv.com

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YEAR OF TIGER, AND NOT JUST IN CHINATOWN

THERE wont be a lighted apple descending in Times Square to mark this new year, but there will be fireworks and parades, banquets and family celebrations Sunday to herald the start of the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Tiger. While cymbals crash and roving lion dancers spread good luck across Chinatown, the occasion will also be observed - By ANDREW L. YARROW

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES

Americans to mark holiday with family, festivities. by admin on Thursday, November 22nd, 2012 | Comments Off. Airports, trains and highways were expected to remain busy as people made their way home for Thanksgiving. USATODAY.com ...

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES

NEW YORK (AP) — Airports, train stations and highways were expected to remain busy as people made their way home to reconnect with family and friends for Thanksgiving — although some reunions might be bittersweet ...

Holiday Travel Has Industry Smiling

Buoyed by the slowly improving economy, back-to-back long weekends and the growing popularity of winter vacations, more Americans are hitting the road this holiday season than any time since 1989. And they are not only taking to the highways in large numbers, but also to the skies, rails and oceans. In the two weeks through Jan. 4, an estimated - By EDWIN McDOWELL

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - NBC-2.com ...

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Dragons and Dancers, Firecrackers and Food

LEAD: Whether pondering the puns or unraveling the riddle, one may join in various New Years festivities in Chinatown in lower Manhattan, the new Chinese community in Flushing, Queens, and throughout New York this weekend and during the following week. Whether pondering the puns or unraveling the riddle, one may join in various New Years - By ANDREW L. YARROW

Americans to Mark Holiday With Family,… – ABC News | Latest ...

Airports, train stations and highways were expected to remain busy as people made their way home to reconnect with family and friends for Thanksgiving — ... Americans to Mark Holiday With Family,… – ABC News. Posted on November 22, 2012 by admin. Airports, train stations and ... 10 Things to Know for Thursday – ABC News Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about Thursday: 1. ISRAEL, HAMAS DECLARE.

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AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - Argus Press ...

Americans to mark holiday with family, festivitiesArgus PressAirports, train stations and highways were expected to remain busy as people made their way home to reconnect with family and friends for Thanksgiving _ although ...

how did holloween ariginated and what is the purpose of it?

I dont understand why the celebration of holloween and what it purpse is or what passing out candy has to do with it or why we dress up to go door to door
Answer: Work on spelling please :) Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter. By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween. By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas. The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money. The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.
Category: Higher Education (University +)

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ART REVIEW; Vietnams Subtle Culture, Prolific in Its Nuances

FOR many Americans who came of age before or during the 1960s, Vietnam was the name of a place you didnt want to go to. Its identity began and ended as a war zone. Even today the prevailing impression of the Southeast Asian country seems to be a composite of remembered news clips and scenes from Apocalypse Now. The West had a comparably - Holland Cotter reviews exhibit on art and culture of Vietnam, at American Museum of Natural History; photos (M) - By HOLLAND COTTER

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - KHQ Right Now ...

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Sing Back the Sun to Mark the Winter Solstice

LEAVES and berries still cling to some trees, the afternoon light is golden and warm, and joggers can be seen in shorts. But the inevitable is coming -- December is near, and in 23 days it will be winter. This year the solstice occurs on Dec. 21 at 3:26 P.M., the moment that the North Pole points most acutely away from the sun, but the Hudson River - By ROBERTA HERSHENSON

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - Santa Cruz Sentinel

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3,333,360 is the maximum score of what video arcade game?

easy
Answer: WEIRS BEACH, NH -- For the first time in video game playing history, a perfect score was achieved on the legendary arcade game, Pac-Man. On July 3, 1999 at 4:45 P.M., taking nearly six hours to accomplish the feat -- on one quarter -- Billy Mitchell, 33, a Fort Lauderdale hot sauce manufacturer visiting the famous Funspot Family Fun Center in Weirs Beach, NH, scored 3,333,360 points -- the maximum possible points allowed by the game. The results will go into next year’s edition of the Twin Galaxies’ Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records -- which is the official record book for the world of video game and pinball playing. Though the Funspot is a world famous vacation spot, Billy Mitchell was not there to enjoy the holiday festivities. Mitchell was there for the sole purpose of beating the Canadians to the Holy Grail of video game playing: history’s first perfect game on Pac-Man. To get a perfect game on Pac-Man, the player has to eat every dot, every energizer, every blue man and every fruit up to and including board 256 -- where the game ends with a split screen. This must be accomplished on the first man, too. “It was unbelievable,” says Gary Vincent, Funspot Operations Manager. “Mitchell purposefully arrived on July 1st -- Canada’s Day -- and won the title in time for the Fourth of July. He even wore a red, white and blue, Star-Star Spangled Banner tie to emphasize the patriotic sentiments behind his efforts.” Mitchell, who refused to eat until he beat the Canadians for the world record, went hungry for nearly two full days. “I had to be first,” Mitchell explains. “Its like Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. No matter how many people accomplish the feat afterwards, it will always be Armstrong who will be remembered for doing it first. And, best of all, it was an American.” And Mitchell is first. With a camcorder supplied by Funspot bearing down over his shoulder, Mitchell’s every last move was taped for posterity -- if not, at least, for irrefutable proof of the achievement. And, after the exhausting six-hour game was over, Mitchell backed away from the game in disbelief and then did the improbable: he announced his permanent retirement from playing Pac-Man. “I never have to play that darn game again,” he sighed in relief. “There’s nothing more I can accomplish.” “Mitchell may have just barely beat out the pack,” adds Funspot’s Gary Vincent, “because all this year players around the world have been laying siege to Pac-Man, vying to be the first to complete the first perfect-game ever.” The biggest rivalry in the quest for the first perfect game was between two Canadians and two Florida players -- Billy Mitchell being one of them. On May 8, 1999, during Funspot’s First International Classic Video & Pinball Tournament, Rick Fothergill, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, grabbed headlines with CNN, Associated Press, the Boston Phoenix, Boston Globe, and CBS Radio Network News, when he fell a mere 90 points short of a perfect game, scoring 3,333,270 points. “This is, possibly, the most difficult feat to accomplish in the world of video game playing,” explains Walter Day, chief scorekeeper at the Twin Galaxies Intergalactic Scoreboard -- an organization based in Fairfield, Iowa that tracks high scores for the worldwide video game and pinball industries. Mitchell agrees with Day’s assessment: “I just about fell apart at the 1.9 million point mark. And, then, it was like the end of the world as I suddenly realized that I still had 100 boards to go.” Since the years 1980 and 1981, when Midway Games, Inc. distributed 99,000 copies of the coin-operated Pac-Man, its popularity has barely waned, remaining the most-legendary game produced during the period now being called the ‘Golden Age of Video Game Arcades', 1979-85. “Still, in spite of its huge popularity,” marvels Day, “a perfect Pac-Man game never happened, even though millions of people were playing the game.” To find out how rare a perfect game is, Day started a project where his staff would attend used game auctions and count the number of game plays found on the old Pac-Man machines to ascertain how many times the average Pac-Man machine had been played during its lifetime. The findings suggested that Pac-Man had been played more than 10 billion times worldwide during the last 20 years. Mitchell, who also holds the world record on the classic Donkey Kong game, runs a family business manufacturing Rickey’s World Famous Sauce -- a hot sauce brand distributed worldwide. He attributes his game-playing success to his friend, Chris Ayra, a Miami video game player who currently holds the world record on Ms. Pac-Man. “Chris generously shared his brilliant strategies with me, giving me all the skills I needed to beat Pac-Man.” Mitchell plans on enjoying the Fourth of July. He will not be playing any video games. The Funspot Family Fun Center, founded in 1952, is the world’s second-largest arcade, with 500 arcade games, miniature golf, 24 lanes of bowling and Bingo facilities. Open year-round, it is the site of the largest annual classic video game and pinball championship in the world. Next year’s event is scheduled for June 1-4, 2000. The Twin Galaxies Intergalactic Scoreboard has been keeping score for the world of video game and pinball playing since 1982. Its most well known product is the Twin Galaxies’ Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records (ISBN 1887472-25-8), which is a 984-page book published in 1998 by Sunstar Publishing of Fairfield, Iowa, containing 116 pictures and 12,416 scores from players in 31 different countries compiled during the years 1981-1997.
Category: Trivia

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - Yahoo! News

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What will happen to me if I celebrate Christmas?

Answer: Probably nothing, as long as you don't take it to an extreme. Christmas doesn't really mean as much these days, especially to us "western" folks for whom it is nothing more than an excercise in commercial materialism and greed. That's definitely how it is in America (not for all but definitely for the majority it is), don't know what goes down in your part of the world. The history of Christmas is rather interesting. Here is a brief section of an article, the link is at the bottum if you like to read more. ----------------- History of Christmas It would be easy enough to imagine Christmas as a simple continuum of tradition dating from the birth of Christ. You'd begin with the nativity story, apply the December 25th date to Jesus' birth, establish the gift-giving precedent of the magi and work from there. Over the centuries, classic Christmas traditions would accumulate: perhaps beginning with the yule log, followed by the Christmas tree and finally winding up in the present day with giant inflatable snowmen and icicle lights. Modern pagans still celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge in England. The history of Christmas, however, is hardly a continuum. It is a varied and riotous story, one that actually predates the birth of Christ. Early Europeans marked the year's longest night -- the winter solstice -- as the beginning of longer days and the rebirth of the sun. They slaughtered livestock that could not be kept through the winter and feasted from late December through January. German pagans honored Oden, a frightening god who flew over settlements at night, blessing some people and cursing others. The Norse in Scandinavia celebrated yuletide, and each family burnt a giant log and feasted until it turned to ash. In Rome, people celebrated the raucous festival of Saturnalia from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24 in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The celebration consisted of a carnival-like period of feasting, carousing, gambling, gift-giving and upended social positions. Slaves could don their masters' clothes and refuse orders and children had command over adults. Two other Roman festivals, Juvenalia, a feast in honor of Rome's children, and Mithras, a celebration in honor of the infant god Mithra, also fell near the solstice. By the fourth century, the church decided that Christians needed a December holiday to rival solstice celebrations. Church leaders selected Dec. 25 for the Feast of the Nativity. Christmas gained ground over the next several hundred years, becoming a full-fledged holiday by the ninth century, although it was still less important than Good Friday and Easter. Early Christmas, however, was not the peaceful, albeit busy family holiday we know today. Christmas' proximity to Saturnalia resulted in it its absorbing some of the Roman festival's excesses. Christmas in the middle ages featured feasting, drinking, riotous behavior and caroling for money. Religious puritans disapproved of such excess in the name of Christ and considered the holiday blasphemous. Oliver Cromwell went so far as to cancel Christmas when he seized control of England in 1645. Decorations were forbidden and soldiers patrolled the street in search of celebrants cooking meat. Puritans in the American colonies took a similarly dour view of Christmas: Yuletide festivities were outlawed in Boston from 1659 though 1681. But by the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century, Christmas began to take on the tame associations it has today. New Yorker Washington Irving wrote popular stories about Christmas that invented and appropriated old traditions, presenting them as the customs of the English gentry. Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, introduced a Christmas tree to Windsor Castle in 1846. An engraving of the couple with their children in front of the tree popularized the custom throughout England and the United States. In the 20th century, the focus of Christmas became increasingly commercial. In the next section, we'll learn about traditions involving presents and the history of Christmas gifts.
Category: Ramadan

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES « CBS DC

NEW YORK (AP) — Airports, train stations and highways were expected to remain busy as people made their way home to reconnect with family and friends for Thanksgiving — although some reunions might be bittersweet ...

Why is Halloween celebreated?

Answer: Here is the true history behind halloween. This is why we celebrate it the true reason. Ancient Origins Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter. By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween. By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas. Modern Traditions The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money. The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter. Evolution Of A Holiday As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Because of the rigid Protestant belief systems that characterized early New England, celebration of Halloween in colonial times was extremely limited there. It was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups, as well as the American Indians, meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country. In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. Young women believed that, on Halloween, they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings, or mirrors. In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers, than about ghosts, pranks, and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes. Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything "frightening" or "grotesque" out of Halloween celebrations. Because of their efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century. By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular, but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague Halloween celebrations in many communities during this time. By the 1950s, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism and Halloween had evolved into a holiday directed mainly at the young. Due to the high numbers of young children during the fifties baby boom, parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated. Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. A new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday.
Category: Halloween

NEW YORK SALUTES; In a Ticker-Tape Blizzard, New York Honors the Troops

Three months after the last angry rocket of the Persian Gulf war, New York City lionized the victorious troops yesterday with a magnificent blizzard of ticker tape, patriotism and affection in a homecoming parade up lower Broadways Canyon of Heroes. With painted yellow bows underfoot and a glimmer of blue between the skyscrapers overhead, brass - By ROBERT D. McFADDEN

AMERICANS TO MARK HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES - Washington ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Airports, train stations and highways are expected to remain busy as people head home to reconnect with family and friends for Thanksgiving — although some reunions may be bittersweet because of the ...

Whose Tree Is It Anyway?

Sorry, America, but you owe the Christmas tree to King George 3d. It was homesick Hessian mercenaries, fighting alongside the British and pining for the tannenbaum during the Revolutionary War, who first cut fir crowns and set them on their holiday table, decorated with candles. It did not take long, though, for Americans to adopt the custom, and - Simon Schama, professor of history at Harvard University, is author of "Dead Certainties (Unwarranted Speculations)." - By Simon Schama;

Smiling Through the 60s in Reagan Country

DESERT CIVILIZATIONS bequeath spare mysteries for the future: astronomical clocks made of sandstone, bones wrapped with gold, brittle parchment crossed with esoteric glyphs. Archeologists guess whats missing. But the parched kingdom of Southern California is changing the system. Right now at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, there - Deanne Stillman comments on new show Back to the 60s on view at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif; photo (M) - Deanne Stillman, who covers Southern California culture for Los Angeles Magazine, is writing a book called The Murders at 29 Palms, about a double homicide in the Mojave Desert. - By DEANNE STILLMAN

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