holidays

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Record-Breaking Travel Looms for Turkey Day

AAA predicts 80M people will hit the air, roads, trains, buses, cruise lines for Thanksgiving holiday

(Newser) - The masses are prepping to get together for the holidays, and this year's Thanksgiving exodus looks to be a record-breaking one. AAA predicts that 79.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more for their holiday fixings—a jump of 1.7 million from 2023, and 2 million...

This City Never Trick-or-Treats on Halloween. Until This Year

Des Moines, Iowa, has instead celebrated Beggars' Night on Oct. 30 since '38

(Newser) - The last time the kids of Des Moines officially went trick-or-treating on Halloween was nearly nine decades ago. This Oct. 31, the Iowa capital will join the rest of the nation in celebrating the holiday the traditional way, all because the weather isn't cooperating. NPR reports that since 1938,...

Juneteenth Is in Full Swing. Do You Know What It Means?

An AP primer on the federal holiday's roots, meaning, and evolution

(Newser) - Many Americans are celebrating Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. For generations, Black Americans have recognized the end of one of the darkest chapters in US history with joy, in the form of parades, street festivals, musical...

Here Are the Most Festive US Cities
Here Are the Most
Festive US Cities
Dec 24, 2022 10:01 AM CST

Here Are the Most Festive US Cities

New York tops LawnStarter's list

(Newser) - Do you don your party hat on Dec. 1 and not take it off till the new year? You might want to seek out cities where you'll find like-minded festive souls. LawnStarter gathered public data from 200 of the nation's largest cities to see where those in a...

The City of Orlando's July 4 Message Didn't Land Well

It's now apologizing for message acknowledging some might not feel like celebrating the holiday

(Newser) - Orlando's Independence Day message was seemingly an attempt to commiserate with those unhappy and stressed over recent events in the news, but all it did was create a backlash that extended all the way to the Florida governor's office. The city newsletter that went out on Friday acknowledged...

Most States Have Not Made Juneteenth a Paid Holiday

Commemoration of a delayed event has moved slowly, advocates say

(Newser) - It took more than 100 years for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday. President Biden took care of that a year ago , but there should be more to that recognition, advocates say. Just 18 states have provided funding for the day to be observed as a paid holiday, the New ...

It's Now the Year of the Tiger
It's Now the
Year of the Tiger
Feb 1, 2022 8:17 AM CST

It's Now the Year of the Tiger

Chinese celebrants ring in Lunar New Year despite pandemic restrictions

(Newser) - Chinese people rang in the Lunar New Year on Tuesday despite pandemic restrictions, as small crowds gathered at temples to offer traditional prayers for the Year of the Tiger. At the Lama Temple in Beijing, dozens of people bowed in prayer before the ornate west gate of the Tibetan Buddhist...

These US Cities Have the Most, Least Holiday Spirit

New York City is the most festive of all, while Enterprise, Nev., is a bit of a Grinch

(Newser) - With 2022 almost upon us, it's the time of year when we wind down and kick back, which often includes a fair bit of festivities. LawnStarter wanted to know which places boast the most spirit of the season, so the site looked at the 200 largest cities in the...

Don't Buy Anything New This Holiday Season
Don't Buy Anything
New This Holiday Season
OPINION roundup
Nov 8, 2021 11:05 AM CST

Don't Buy Anything New This Holiday Season

Columnist says shopping secondhand is better for the world, and more fun

(Newser) - We may be barely a week past Halloween, but the holiday shopping season is already upon us—and in the New York Times , Annaliese Griffin suggests you don't purchase any new presents this year. The reasons for buying secondhand gifts are numerous: the global supply-chain delays are causing shortages...

Columbus Day Sprang From Violence
History of Columbus Day
Is a Violent One
the rundown
Oct 11, 2021 9:45 AM CDT

History of Columbus Day Is a Violent One

President Harrison acted after a mob killed Italian immigrants in New Orleans

(Newser) - Monday is Columbus Day, though the term "politically fraught" is a common one used these days to describe the federal holiday. A look at its history, as well as views from supporters and critics:
  • Going away? Many states and municipalities have either ditched Columbus Day and replaced it with
...

Federal Employees Getting a Long Weekend, Quickly

Designation of Juneteenth means most federal workers are off this Friday

(Newser) - The designation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday commemorates a monumental moment in US history, but it also translates into something tangible almost immediately for federal employees—a day off on Friday. Because June 19 falls on a Saturday this year, most federal workers will get Friday off instead, reports...

Top COVID Official Didn't Quite Take Her Own Advice

Deborah Birx travels with family to Delaware

(Newser) - Deborah Birx tells Americans to "be vigilant" and celebrate only with "your immediate household" over the holidays, but many struggle to take that advice—including Birx herself, the AP reports. Birx, who coordinates the White House coronavirus response, visited a vacation home in Delaware last month with three...

Controversial First Christmas Card Is Now Up for Grabs

People making merry on the 1843 card irked Victorian-era teetotalers

(Newser) - The first commercially printed Christmas card is up for sale—a merry Victorian-era scene that scandalized some when it first appeared in 1843. The card, being sold online starting Friday through a consortium run by Marvin Getman, a Boston-based dealer in rare books and manuscripts, depicts an English family toasting...

White House Plans Parties Amid Warnings to Hunker Down

Melania Trump will host 'holiday reception,' with other parties to follow

(Newser) - Health officials have been issuing warnings against traveling and gathering for the holidays in the midst of a coronavirus surge across the US, but 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't seem fazed by the cautionary advice. Despite the White House's own issues with COVID-19 after an indoor election night party...

Mississippi Health Official Has a Stark Holiday Warning

Have big Thanksgiving dinners with loved ones, 'and then death,' Dobbs says amid COVID surge

(Newser) - Mississippi's top health official delivered dire news last week about the state's COVID-19 status, noting the "severe surge" that's been stressing its health care system, with very few beds left in ICUs around the state. "Our fall surge is going in very much the wrong...

Twitter CEO Announces New Company Holiday 'Forevermore'

Jack Dorsey says Twitter will make Juneteenth an official company holiday for US workers

(Newser) - As company after company puts out ads and sends out emails expressing their support for black Americans in the wake of the killing of George Floyd , Forbes notes that some, especially in the tech world, have been slammed for being all talk, no action. Twitter is looking to separate itself...

In Berlin, New May Holiday Sends 'Unmistakable Message'

City makes May 8 a public holiday to commemorate end of WWII, Nazi rule

(Newser) - The US and Britain recognize May 8 as a special date—and now Berlin is joining them, even going so far as to make it a public holiday. Victory in Europe Day commemorates May 8, 1945, the day when German troops surrendered to the Soviets, effectively ending World War II....

Trump Team: Here's How to Argue at Christmas
Trump Team
Posts Holiday
'Snowflake'
Website
the rundown
Dec 25, 2019 3:00 PM CST

Trump Team Posts Holiday 'Snowflake' Website

But media reports criticize snowflakevictory.com

(Newser) - Having a peaceful, family Christmas? President Trump's reelection campaign wants supporters ready in case "the family liberal" speaks up—and has a website packed with talking points for the ensuing debate, the Washington Post reports. Called Snowflakevictory.com , it offers sections like "There was no quid pro...

37 Years Later, a Reunion Between 2 of Our Favorite Stars

Xfinity ad starring E.T. and Henry Thomas, aka Elliott, aired during Thanksgiving Day parade

(Newser) - Some are calling it "heartwarming." . Others, like io9 , have a different take on the Xfinity ad that debuted during Thursday's Thanksgiving Day parade on NBC. "What you're looking at is [a] major corporation dipping into a considerable bag of tricks labeled 'Nostalgic Intellectual Property'...

The Annual 'Toys Causing Harm' List Is Out
Nerf Gun Makes
Dreaded Annual List
Nov 19, 2019 12:24 PM CST

Nerf Gun Makes Dreaded Annual List

World Against Toys Causing Harm unveils its pre-Christmas warning

(Newser) - A Nerf dart gun, ice cream-scented Nickelodeon slime, and a plastic Power Rangers claw are among the toys topping a consumer safety group's list of worst toys for the holidays, the AP reports. World Against Toys Causing Harm unveiled its annual list Tuesday at a Boston children's hospital....

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