Here in the U.S., we dress up in costumes, beg for candy from our neighbors, and listen to “Monster Mash.” Here’s how the most spooktacular of holidays is celebrated around the globe. Great Britain The tradition of carving jack-o-lanterns came to America with immigrants from the British Isles. For as long as anyone can remember, […]
October is a month full of celebrations worth celebrating, both well-known and not so-well known. American Cheese Month October has been set aside by the American dairy industry to recognize, well, the American dairy industry. The U.S. has as strong and rich of a history of fromage as France or Italy. Celebrate with some locally-made […]
The holiday honoring your parents’ parents falls on September 10. Here’s a look at some older folks who’ve made the news in some very quirky ways. Model Grandpa The fashion designer known professionally as Ms. Lv is a top up-and-comer in Chinese haute couture. But sales and attention really started growing after Ms. Lv’s fashion […]
After Labor Day but before Columbus Day come all of these minor, made-up holidays and celebrations. Sept. 3: Skyscraper Day American architect Louis Sullivan led a revolution in construction: He was among the first to design skyscrapers. The development of cheap, readily available steel in the late 19th century allowed architects like Sullivan to create […]
They say August is the one month without any major holidays—but that’s only if you don’t consider “Ride the Wind Day” to be a major holiday. August 3: National Watermelon Day While watermelon is now available year-round, there’s just something about it that screams summer. It’s a cool and refreshing fruit enjoyed by millions at […]
It’s July, a time for fireworks, vacations…and getting free bacon for not cheating on your spouse. July 4: Sidewalk Egg Frying Day Sure, the fourth of July is also Independence Day in the U.S., but it’s hot almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere in early July. So hot that one could, theoretically, as the saying […]
June is a magical month full of early summer fun like beaches, barbecues…and hugging cats. June 2: National Rocky Road Day Ice cream used to be just that. It consisted of little more than cream, sugar, and a flavoring agent like vanilla or chocolate to produce a smooth concoction. Rocky Road was among the first […]
It’s almost summer, so prepare for the good life with some of these mini-holidays coming up this month. May 1: School Principals’ Day There are several observances to celebrate teachers, as everybody can think back to at least one teacher who inspired them, or helped shape them into the people they are today. But you […]
We hope you have an all-time best Easter. To get you started, here are some people who celebrated Easter in very big, very egg-cellent ways. Largest Easter egg, chocolate Made by Italian chocolate maker Tosca in 2011, it was unveiled at a shopping center in Cortenuova, Italy, during the Easter season. It weighed more than […]
Spring has sprung, and so have these silly and obscure “holidays.” April 1: International Tatting Day It’s also April Fool’s Day, and it would be a pretty nasty prank if you convinced somebody that “International Tatting Day” was the day they’re supposed to get a tattoo. In reality, it’s a celebration of something that’s just […]
What better way to pull off an April Fool’s Day prank than with the one thing people take so seriously that they wouldn’t even suspect it? Here are some food-based goofs staged by international fast food chains. On April Fool’s Eve (that’s March 31) back in 1998, Burger King announced its latest addition to its […]
St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated in the U.S. and Ireland, of course. But did you know it’s a big deal in other countries? In England The two biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades are in New York City and Dublin. After that is the one in Manchester, the English city with the largest Irish population […]
Spring will spring, St. Patrick’s Day will bring luck, and you’ll say hello to your favorite Joe. Here is this month’s slate of obscure and minor “holidays.” March 13: Ear Muff Day It’s not really cold enough to wear ear muffs anymore, but nevertheless, this marks the day in 1877 that Chester Greenwood patented his […]
You could go the old flowers-and-candy route, of course…or you could go for a gift as unique as the one who love. You Bug Me, Valentine! Each year, the Bronx Zoo in New York City holds a Valentine’s Day tradition. Anybody with just $10 and a good intention can purchase the “naming rights” to one […]
February is the shortest month, but it seems to have so many holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. And all of these.
Just when you thought “The Holidays” were over…here are a bunch of silly ones. January 8: Argyle Day Argyle is one of the most famous and recognizable patterns in clothing. A kind of plaid, it originates as the signature tartan of the Clan Campbell of Scotland. It’s seen today in all sorts of colors and […]
You could watch the big ball drop in Times Square, or you could watch the big ball drop in Times Square on TV, or you could celebrate the New Year the way these people from around the world do. Spain At the stroke of midnight, eat 12 grapes in quick succession. It’s supposed to be […]
Not every kid in the world leaves out milk and cookies for Santa. That makes sense, because that treat is a very American pairing. Also, it’s nice that Santa gets to try a variety of snacks on his big night. Here’s a look at what kids around the world (and their parents) leave out on […]
