Origin of Holidays By: Tara Stevens

Table of Contents New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Valentine’s Day President’s Day Black History Month St. Patrick's Day Easter Passover Earth day Mothers day Memorial day Fathers day Independence day Labor day National Hispanic month Halloween Thanksgiving Veterans day Christmas The seasons Table of Contents

New Year’s Day – Where did the New Year’s Baby come from and why? The tradition of using baby to signify the New Year began in Greece. It was their tradition to celebrate their god of wine by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility.

MLK – When did it become a holiday and when is it celebrated? Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a marking to the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. He successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968.

Valentine's Day-Who is Cupid and why does he represent Valentine's day? Cupid is a fairy that searches for people that is in love with someone else. When he finds a person that saw their first love, he is going to shot a love arrow to that person. And Valentines Day wouldn't be the same without a visit from Cupid, the winged cherub with a bow and arrow which he uses to place people into love. The origins of Cupid can be traced back to the days of the Roman Empire. Cupid is a Roman God, the symbol of passionate love hem as: 'In Love In First Sight'

President’s Day-Why is it celebrated in February President’s Day-Why is it celebrated in February? And in which month was the most presidents born. It is celebrated each year on the third Monday in February, it is a day when Americans honor the legacies of the U.S. presidents. The holiday was established in 1800, when Congress declared February 22, as a federal holiday. Still legally known as Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day has become a day to honor not only Washington, but Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president who was born on February 12, and the lives and accomplishments of all U.S. presidents. The most presidents of the United States were born in October.

Black History Month-when did it originate and why? What we now call black history month originated in 1926. The goal was to educate the American people about African American History.

St. Patrick’s Day-Where did it originate and why St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years.

Easter- Where did it come from and what’s the significance of the eggs and bunnies Easter marks the end of lent, (a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance There are Easter customs that vary across the Christian world, but decorating eggs is a common motif. In the west, customs such as hunting eggs and the Easter bunny extend from the domain of church.

Passover-Where did it originate and what does it mean It’s a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the Israelites were freed from slavery.

Earth Day-What is the meaning of it??? This is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’ Natural environment.

Mother’s Day-When was the first Mother’s day and who started it President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed May 9, 1914, the first Mother's Day. He asked Americans on that day to give a public "thank you" to their mothers and all mothers.

Memorial Day-Why do we celebrate it in May? Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. It originated among black and Northern white communities after the Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the War.

Father Day- When was the first Father’s Day and who started it? Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days

Independence Day-Who declared it and why??? Independence Day, commonly known as the 4th of July, is a federal in the United States commemorating the adoption of the declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776

Labor Day-Who started it and why? Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contribute. Recent research indicates that, in 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday.

National Hispanic Month-When did it originate, who originated it and why? It was expanded by President Ronald Regan in 1988the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries in Mexico. They all declared independence in 1821.

Halloween-what does it really stand for and who was the first to celebrate it ? Halloween (a shortening of All Hallows’ Evening), also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve. According to some scholars, incorporates traditions from pagan harvest festivals and festivals honoring the dead, particularly the Celtic Samhain.

Thanksgiving-when and where did this tradition originate and by whom? In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition traces its origins to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. There is also evidence for an earlier harvest celebration on the continent by Spanish explorers in Florida during 1565, as well as thanksgiving feasts in the Virginia Colony.

Veterans Day- What is the meaning of it, who started it, and why November? Veterans Day, is an annual U.S. holiday honoring military veterans. November 11, 1918, to commemorate the armistice of the “War to End All Wars,” or World War I.

Christmas-Where did this holiday originate, what is the significance of Santa Clause The precise day of Jesus’ birth which historians place between 7 and 2 BC, is unknown. In the early-to-mid 4th century, the Christen church in the West first placed Christmas on December 25. Santa Clause is a figure with legendary aspects who, in many western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas eve.

The seasons-According to Greek Mythology, who was abducted to account for the season changes and where was she taken? Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld was abducted by Hades. Her abduction which shoots forth in spring and withdraws into the earth after harvest.