Holiday History: Thanksgiving
The first North American Thanksgiving occurred in St. Augustine in 1565.
Holiday History: Independence Day and the Constitution
Looking back at America’s founding documents
Holiday History: The story of Memorial Day
Alachua County Veterans Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Gainesville leads through our country's history.
Holiday History: Christmas Eve traditions
People, cultures have various ways to celebrate the season.
Holiday History: What is Maundy Thursday?
At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. He also shared dinner with the twelve apostles, the origin of holy communion in Christian churches. Plus, […]
Holiday History: New Year’s Day traditions
New Year’s Day gives us a lot of opportunities to discover the fun side of history—and have fun doing it. Food, for example, is part of […]
Holiday History: Christmas and record keeping
What does record keeping have to do with the Son of God? Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. His birth is celebrated today. […]
Advent reflection: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Much of what we love about Christmas is related to traditions. The song “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a way we Christians have celebrated prophecy […]
Advent reflection: The Gift of the Magi
This is a time of year when we love to consume sentimental stories we feel are appropriate to Christmas. Watching or reading A Christmas Carol. It’s […]
Holiday History: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
At 7:53 a.m. local time on this day 80 years ago, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was attacked. The United States was drawn into World War II. The […]
Advent reflection: Carol of the Bells
We were made to worship God. While we should feel it and see it throughout the year, the special nature of Christmas time brings it out […]
Holiday History: Thanksgiving
The scene is familiar, matching the historic description of the first Thanksgiving: a group of grateful European settlers share a Thanksgiving feast with a local native […]
Holiday History: Veterans Day
It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The day was November 11, 1918. The armistice ending World War I—The Great […]
Holiday History: All Saints Day
Today, Christians of many denominations around the world will celebrate all of those who have achieved Heaven. Today is All Saints Day, or, as it was […]
Holiday History: Columbus & Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The traditional image of Columbus Day was that of Columbus and his crew wading ashore on an island in the Bahamas. But Columbus Day can also […]
Remembering the heroes of 9/11
Army Capt. Lincoln Leibner wasn’t supposed to be at the Pentagon in suburban Washington on September 11, 2001. But when he saw the two planes hit […]
Holiday History: The 76th V-J Day
An estimated 60 million people died in World War II. On this date in 1945, word came that the killing would stop. This is V-J Day, […]
Holiday History: July 4th and unalienable rights
Where do your rights come from? Among the picnics, parades, and fireworks displays, that’s something to consider this long Independence Day weekend. Independence Day marks the […]
Holiday History: Flag Day
“The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” Today is Flag Day. That quote is buried in Title 4 of the […]
Holiday History: Cinco de Mayo
Did you know that when you celebrate Cinco de Mayo you are celebrating bravery? Cinco de Mayo honors the victory of a Mexican army over invaders […]
Holiday History: What is Dyngus Day?
Happy Dyngus Day! Dyngus Day is an old central European holiday, mostly connected to Poland, celebrated on the day after Easter. In the United States, it […]
Holiday History: The origins of Good Friday
Today is Mourning Friday, Long Friday, Silent Friday, and Holy Friday. I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself: isn’t today Good Friday? They actually are all one […]
Holiday History: Exploring St. Patrick’s Day
Did you know the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in what is now the United States took place in St. Augustine, Florida? Today is St. Patrick’s […]