Almanac

Americans celebrate this day because commemorating presidents is the act of celebrating the core principles of equality, unity, and freedom they represent.

In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is designated as a national day of service. Americans are urged to celebrate “a day on, not a day off” in honor of King’s commitment to improving the lives of others.

As the calendar year comes to a close, it is also the time of year when many faith traditions celebrate important elements of their customs and conventions. Learn more about how Americans celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.

Harvest celebrations have been held in almost every culture in the world to express thanks for a plentiful harvest. In America, Thanksgiving originated as a day to give thanks for the fall harvest and other bounties during the previous year, but it has evolved into a day to reflect on blessings and express thankfulness.

On Veterans Day, we remember the cost of war to safeguard and cherish peace, and the people who risked their lives to achieve it.

Today, more communities than ever are celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day in addition to or instead of Columbus Day. Learn about the movement and how the people of the United States come to terms with our complex history.

Americans commemorate Labor Day on the first Monday of September with parades, picnics, pool parties, and BBQs. Listen to the story of young Peter McGuire and the history of Labor Day in this episode.

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, became an official U.S. holiday in 1941. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies.

Juneteenth initiates difficult but necessary conversations about the U.S.’ tragic history of slavery, giving all Americans a chance to reflect on the past and consideration for the future.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to military veterans who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces in the performance of their military duties. Memorial Day traditionally marks the start of summer in the United States. But how many facts do you know about this holiday? Do you know its meaning? Its history? How about its traditions? Discover more in...