Celebrating our holidays

Halloween has a long history! Some parts can be traced back to the ancient Romans and Celtic peoples, and readers are sure to have fun making connections between those festivals and the spooky celebrations we have today. In addition to learning the facts about Halloween's history, readers get some tips on how to make their next Halloween the best one ever--from ways to be safe to a recipe for a tasty treat to share with their friends. Readers can even see photographs from the past and present to trace how this holiday has changed over time.

Decorating trees, sending letters to Santa, and writing cards for loved ones are all popular Christmas traditions. But how did they start? Readers learn the history behind some of the most beloved parts of this popular holiday in this detailed look at the way we celebrate Christmas. Historical context is presented through accessible main text and additional sidebars, and readers are also encouraged to look more closely at Christmas celebrations around the world. Colorful photographs and a tasty gingerbread recipe are sure to put readers into the Christmas spirit no matter when they pick up this volume.

"Many different groups of people have holidays that celebrate the victory of light over darkness. For example, the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah every winter. They think of it as a festival, or celebration, of lights. Another popular festival of lights is Diwali. It's known mainly as a Hindu holiday, but it's also celebrated by people who follow the belief systems of Jainism and Sikhism. There are many stories and traditions connected to this festival of lights, and they reach back thousands of years"--Provided by publisher.

"Kwanzaa is based on seven principles that aid those celebrating in looking at their past and heritage. They think about who they are now and use this knowledge to plan for a bright future. The holiday's founder, Maulana Karenga, believes that the message of Kwanzaa is universal: 'Any message that is good for a particular people speaks not just to that people. It speaks to the world'"--Provided by publisher.

"People from different cultures often celebrate different holidays. Learning about those holidays [may] help us learn more about what's important to different groups of people. For example, people from Mexico and Latin America celebrate a holiday called D?a de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. When people think of this holiday, they often think of skulls, flowers, and fancy altars. However, the meanings behind all of these parts of the holiday show what's really important to the people who celebrate it--and that's faith and family"--Provided by publisher.

"What are you thankful for? That question is asked a lot on Thanksgiving--a day set aside for thinking about the things in our lives we're grateful for. Many people are thankful for their family and friends, and they share a meal with them on this special day. Thanksgiving dinner is a popular tradition throughout the United States, and the roots of this holiday reach all the way back to the time before this country was founded"--Provided by publisher.

"Some holidays are celebrated on one day every year. Others have celebrations that last longer. One of these holidays is Hanukkah, which lasts for eight days and nights. Hanukkah is a special holiday for Jewish people around the world. It begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew, or Jewish, month called Kislev, which is in either November or December on the Western calendar used in many places around the world, including the United States"--Provided by publisher.

"Kwanzaa is based on seven principles that aid those celebrating in looking at their past and heritage. They think about who they are now and use this knowledge to plan for a bright future. The holiday's founder, Maulana Karenga, believes that the message of Kwanzaa is universal : "Any message that is good for a particular people speaks not just to that people. It speaks to the world."--.

"Every year on November 11, Americans celebrate Veterans Day. This is a day set aside to honor veterans-people who've served in the military. Some veterans fought in wars, while others served their country during times of peace. Veterans Day celebrates all of these brave people. It's important to learn about what veterans have done for their country so you can better understand why this day is so special"--Provided by publisher.

"At its center, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. It's a holiday that connects Black Americans with the history of enslaved people in the United States. It encourages them to come together and work toward a future where freedom means more than just not being enslaved. It means equality"--Provided by publisher.