History of holidays and festivals

Halloween is one of the most well-known holidays in the United States. People of all ages celebrate by wearing spooky costumes, going trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins. But Halloween is also one of the world's oldest holidays, with many traditions stemming from ancient Celtic and early Christian celebrations. This title delves into the history of this candy-filled holiday, exploring how its early customs developed into modern ones. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject.

"Christmas is an important religious holiday for Christians. But many people around the world also celebrate it with secular traditions, such as exchanging gifts and decorating trees. This title delves into the holiday's rich history, exploring its beginnings as a winter solstice festival, its ties to the early Christian church, and the development of modern traditions such as Santa Claus"--Amazon.

For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year. It is a time for fasting, prayer, and generosity. The month ends with Eid al-Fitr, a joyous three-day celebration. Many Ramadan customs are based on ancient religious practices. This title delves into the holiday's history, exploring how these traditions evolved over time. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject.

"Each year, communities all over the world celebrate Chinese New Year. They welcome the New Year with parades, dragon dances, family dinners, and other activities. Many of these traditions grew out of Chinese folk religion and early New Year celebrations. This title explores how these ancient customs developed over time and became part of the modern holiday people celebrate today"--Amazon.

Each year, Jewish people all over the world observe Rosh Hashanah. They celebrate the Jewish New Year with prayers, synagogue services, and family gatherings. It is a time to focus on God's forgiveness. Many of the holiday's traditions are based on ancient religious practices. This title explores how these customs developed over time. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject.

Throughout US history, Indigenous people have lost their lives and land because of colonization. But today, people across the country celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day. They honor the cultures and contributions of Indigenous nations while raising awareness about current issues that American Indians face. This title looks at how the holiday developed, exploring the effects of colonization, the work of Indigenous activists, and what the future holds for the holiday. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject.

For Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year. People across the globe gather to pray at temples, light lamps, and set off firecrackers, celebrating the power of light over darkness. This title looks at the colorful history of this festival of lights, exploring how its ancient origins and traditions have evolved over time. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject.

In the United States, Black people were enslaved for hundreds of years. In 1863, during the American Civil War, many enslaved people were freed. On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Texas heard the news that they were free for the first time. On Juneteenth, people celebrate this day with parades, barbecues, protests, and other activities. This title explores the holiday's past, present, and future. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject.