Tomorrow is St. Lucy's Day, a holiday primarily observed in Northern and Central Europe... and the Upper Middle West. If it seems odd for Lutherans to observe a Saint Day, it's because it sort of is. Then again, as with all the best Christian observances, the holiday's roots likely if anythinhave little to do with … Continue reading St. Lucy’s Day
Category: Holidays
Happy All Hallows’ Even
You know those grinches that, on Valentines Day say, "I don't need a holiday to tell me when to express my feelings for my loved one" or, on Mothers Day say "I don't need a stupid holiday to tell me when to call my mom?" Well, that's one reason I like Halloween --because those bias … Continue reading Happy All Hallows’ Even
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Sounds of the Show-Me State — Happy Missouri Day
Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's Map of Missouri Missouri's nickname, the "Show Me State," first appears in print in the words of congressman, William Vandiver, who declared in 1889, “I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats. Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got … Continue reading Sounds of the Show-Me State — Happy Missouri Day
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Happy Fourth of July! — In which various VHS and DVD titles are suggested…
These chaps have the right idea! Some "Cut & Run" types think it's ok to celebrate such other July 4th holidays such as: Filipino - American Friendship Day Day of Agwe - Haiti Birthday of Queen Sonja - Norway Commemoration of Jewish Genocide - Latvia Family Day - Lesotho Fisherman's Day - … Continue reading Happy Fourth of July! — In which various VHS and DVD titles are suggested…
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Walpurgis Night
Tonight is Walpurgis Night. Saint Walpurga was, supposedly, an 8th century nun whose relics were transferred on April 30th and her name was given to the holiday. As frequently happened during Christianity's spread across Europe, this was merely an instance of co-opting and Christianizing a much older holiday. Before Saint Walpurga was dreamed up, 30 April was … Continue reading Walpurgis Night
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Happy Easter!
In terms of beloved figures central to Christian children's mythology, the Easter Bunny would probably show up near the top, well below Santa Claus but higher than Jesus, The Sandman and the Tooth Fairy. Actually, I was never too crazy about the Tooth Fairy. What does she does with all those teeth? Why does she buy our silence … Continue reading Happy Easter!
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Irish Bishops Move St. Patrick's Day 2008 Over Conflict With Holy Week "Religious celebrations for St. Patrick's Day will come two days early in Ireland next year to avoid a conflict with Holy Week. St. Patrick's Day is usually celebrated March 17, but Ireland's bishops have shifted the feast day, in honor of the national … Continue reading Happy St. Patrick’s Day
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Happy Valentine’s Day
It's Valentines Day. Pshaw! A Hallmark Holiday, you say. Singles Awareness Day, another jokes. I guess every holiday has its Scrooge. I have my Ngoc-Thu. My friend Nick Pinto would gripe about Valentine's, Christmas or (especially) 4/20. He doesn't need holidays to legislate his behavior. And yet his love of Halloween never once carried … Continue reading Happy Valentine’s Day
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New Zealand Day or, Happy Waitangi Day
Happy New Zealand Day! The Haast's Eagle, the largest bird of prey (until extinction) attacking a flightless moa (also extinct) The islands that make up what today is known as New Zealand were, for centuries, uninhabited by people. Due to isolation, the islands hosted many distinct creatures and were dominated by large birds. There … Continue reading New Zealand Day or, Happy Waitangi Day
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Happy Australia Day
The Flag of Australia, the Australian Aboriginal Flag, and the Flag of Torres Strait Islanders Australia was discovered about 45,000 years ago when they either walked or made short sea-crossings from Papua to the north in what is now the Torres Strait. In Australia they grew into diverse cultures with around 250 languages spoken by … Continue reading Happy Australia Day
Eric Brightwell 