Holidays

Color photos fill this overview of Halloween traditions, which describes the holiday's origins and the background of such symbols and activities as ghosts, jack-o'-lanterns, black cats, and trick or treating; presents instructions for making spider decorations; and lists related books and Web sites.

An overview of Easter traditions, which describes the holiday's origins and the history of parades, new clothes, rabbits, and decorated eggs as part of the celebrations. Explains how to make an Easter "stained glass"window from waxed paper.

Color photos fill this overview of Christmas traditions, which describes the history of Christmas greeting cards, kissing under mistletoe, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus; explains how to make a gingerbread house from graham crackers; and lists related books and Web sites.

Describes the life of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., who is honored with the national holiday bearing his name.

Introduces the Fourth of July holiday, including information on how it began, the people who inspired it, and how it is celebrated today.