• The History Of Yule Logs Explained

    Despite its long affiliation with the Christian holiday of Christmas, the Yule log actually has its roots in pagan Norse mythology. The tradition originated in Scandinavia, then spread to the Celtic Brits and Gaelic Europeans, who believed that burning a yule log would bring good luck.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • The Untold Truth Of Surfing Legend Duke Kahanamoku

    Duke Kahanamoku is considered the father of modern surfing. He was not just a surfer. He was also an Olympic-level swimmer who broke records for his time and earned three gold medals and two silver. He also appeared in films and became a life-long ambassador of surfing and Hawaii.

    By Sarah Crocker Read More
  • The Reason Evander Holyfield Lost His Money

    For a long time, Evander Holyfield, four time heavyweight champ, had the funds to live a lavish lifestyle. That's what a tough chin and hard hands will get you. But there came a point when this former International Boxing Hall of Famer was losing more money than his fists could bring in.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • How Colonial America Celebrated Christmas

    Celebrating the Christmas holiday was actually banned in Massachusetts from 1659 through 1681, per Time magazine. Early American Life magazine notes that Puritans "abhorred the excesses of church celebrations" and saw Christmas as just another day on which to work hard in the name of Lord.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • The Incredible Real-Life Story Of Shirley Chisholm

    In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress, and in 1972, she became the first Black person to campaign seriously for the presidency on a major party ticket. She maintained her independent spirit throughout her career, sometimes to her detriment. Here is her story.

    By Natasha Lavender Read More
  • Why Do We Hang Christmas Wreaths?

    As with most holidays, Christmas is rife with symbols that we take for granted, but of course there is lots of rich history behind them. Just like Christmas trees, candy canes, and mall Santas, the tradition of hanging wreaths had to start somewhere, and exactly where kind of depends on who you ask.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • The History Of Jingle Bells Explained

    "Jingle Bells" is a favorite everywhere, from Christmas radio stations to seasonal concerts, as a cheerful holiday melody that everyone can sing along to. But it was never originally intended to have any connection to Christmas at all.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • The Origin Of Christmas Lights Explained

    People used to put candles on their Christmas trees, explained Popular Mechanics. The tradition was brought to England by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who grew up in Germany. A magazine published an illustration of the Queen's family gathered around a tree with candles adorning it.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Why People Hang Stockings At Christmas

    Hanging decorated stockings by the fireplace, with the hope that Santa Claus will fill them with treats, is a popular tradition. In 1823, the practice was commemorated in song with the publication of the famous poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," better known today as "The Night Before Christmas."

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • The Story Behind Boxing Day

    One theory posits that employers distributed "Christmas boxes" full of gifts, money, and leftovers from their holiday feasts to their servants on December 26, as the servants would have worked on Christmas Day. The boxes were the 1800s' version of holiday bonuses.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • The Many Homes Of Santa Claus Around The World

    Santa Claus at the top of the world in a winter wonderland. His workshop bustles in the Arctic Circle while his helpers pump out toys for billions of kids. But the North Pole at the top of the world isn't the only place that Santa calls home. You can find the jolly saint in several different places.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • The History Of The Snowman Explained

    In a common sense way, it's understandable why ancient people would have used snow to craft a human figure, or even just play with (if they weren't trying to avoid freezing to death, that is). After all, cave paintings, tribal figurines, and hand-hewn statues all depict the human form.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • The Origin Of Mall Santas Explained

    Thousands of old men would impersonate our altered vision of what St. Nick looked like and sit in shopping malls to let countless children sit in their laps to ask if they're real. That last one is a Christmas staple these days, but exactly how did it get its start?

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Why We Eat Candy Canes At Christmas

    The National Confectioners Association reports that candy canes are the most popular non-chocolate candy during December, with 90 percent of them sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This comes to 1.76 billion candy canes produced in the United States each year. But where did they originate?

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • The History Of Christmas Elves Explained

    Where did these staunch Christmas helpers come from? Why exactly does an immortal, bearded man with a magic, toy-spawning bag of holding need slave elves to manufacture said toys before the toys are teleported into said bag? This (and other yuletide mysteries of the ages) clearly needs unraveling.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • The History Of Eggnog Explained

    When we see the cartons of eggnog on grocery store shelves or the bottles of Very Olde Saint Nick at the liquor store, it might trick us into thinking the drink is a modern beverage, but, in truth, eggnog has several centuries worth of history. Check it out.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More