Holidays
Holidays play an important role in our lives. This Holiday Page was developed to provide information about the various holidays we celebrate throughout the year.
(* Denotes a Federal Holiday)
General Holiday Sites
Celebrate! Holidays in the USA
An introductory survey of the historical and social background of American holidays.
Holidays and Special Days Center
Education World presents Holiday ideas, activities and resource information.
New Year's Day *
The beginning of the new year has been welcomed on different dates throughout history. In the United States, the federal holiday is January 1st. For more information on this holiday, visit the sites below.
Happy New Year - History and Customs
Takes a look at the customs and history of New Year's Day.
New Year's Day at The Holiday Zone
Provides a variety of interesting and educational activities to celebrate the New Year.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day *
On Monday, January 20, 1986, in cities and towns across the country people celebrated the first official Martin Luther King Day, the only federal holiday commemorating an African-American. For more information on this holiday, visit the sites below.
African American History
Created by the Lafayette Public Library, this page is an excellent resource for African American History.
Holiday Zone: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Includes games, arts and crafts, discussion topics and language activities related to the observance.
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Chinese New Year
2008 is the Year of the Rat. For more information on the Chinese New Year, visit the sites below.
Chinese New Year
Learn about the Chinese calendar.
Chinese New Year
Holiday crafts and activities from KidsDomain.com.
Traditions and Symbols
A look at the traditions, symbols and food associated with the Chinese New Year, presented by The History Channel.
Groundhog Day
Will Phil see his shadow on February 2nd, 2009? For more information on this holiday, visit the sites below.
Official Groundhog Site
Visit with Punsufawney Phil and his family . Learn more about the weather, groundhogs, groundhog day and play some fun games.
History of Groundhog Day
Includes information about the origins of the day and various groundhog celebrations.
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Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, the French for "Fat Tuesday", is celebrated with much fanfare as a public holiday only in the southern states of Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida. The name Fat Tuesday comes from the custom of parading a fat ox through the streets of Paris on Shrove Tuesday. For more information on this holiday, visit the following site.
Mardi Gras
Information on kingcakes, Mardi Gras colors, Mardi Gras Indians and local parades. Your one stop for Mardi Gras Information.

Valentine's Day
On February 14th people send greeting cards called valentines to their sweethearts, friends and family. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's. The exact origin of Valentine's Day varies. Check out the following sites for facts, history, lore and holiday activities.
History of Valentine's Day
A look at the origins of this romantic holiday presented by The History Channel.
St. Valentine
Facts about St. Valentine, the origin of Valentine's Day and traditions associated with the holiday.
Cupid
How Cupid became the symbol for Valentine's Day.
Everything Valentine's
"Looking for Valentine's Day gifts, cards, and treats for the classroom, spouses or little Cupids in your life? Here are 100's of easy-to-do ideas for the sweetest Valentine's Day ever." From FamilyFun Magazine.
KidsDomain Holiday Fun
Fun activities for Valentine's Day.
Presidents' Day *
George Washington's birthday (February 22, 1732) was designated a national holiday in 1885. In 1971, the observation was shifted to the third Monday in February and became know as Presidents' Day. For more information, visit the sites below.
Presidents' Day
History of the Holiday.
Presidents' Day Crafts and Activities
These crafts projects are for preschool, kindergarten and elementary school children.
Presidents' Day Resources
Resources for teachers and students, with links to sites about the presidents and American History.
St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds on March 17th. The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. For more information on this holiday, visit the following sites.
History of St. Patrick's Day
Presented by the History Channel, this site has a wealth of information on St. Patrick's Day.
St. Patrick's Day.com
Information on the legends of Saint Patrick, the Shamrock, Irish folklore and events and parades worldwide.
KidsDomain Holiday Fun
Fun activities for St. Patrick's day.
April Fool's Day
There is much speculation regarding the origins of April Fool's Day, sometimes called "All Fool's Day". References to "All Fool's Day" can be traced back to Europe in the Middle Ages. For more information, visit the following sites.
April Fool's Day
History of April Fool's Day from Celebrate! Holidays In The U.S.A.
The Museum of Hoaxes: April Fool's Day Gallery
Presents the origin of April Fool's Day, "The Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time" and a chronological index of hoaxes from the Middle Ages to the present.
Easter
Easter will be celebrated on Sunday April 8, 2007. Orthodox Easter will also be celebrated Sunday, April 8, 2007. Visit the following sites for information on the Story of Easter, how the date of Easter is computed and fun holiday activities.
Computing the Date of Easter
Easter Sunday Dates
2010 April 4
2011 April 24
Easter Holidays.net
Explores the Story behind the Festive Celebration of Easter, Easter eggs, Easter Bunnies and Chocolate Rabbits as well as fun Holiday activities for you and your family. Provides a calculator for Easter Sundays.
History of Easter
The History Channel presents information on both the Pagan and Christian origins of Easter.
KidsDomain Holiday Fun
Fun activities for Easter.
Earth Day
Earth Day, which began in 1970, is now celebrated by millions of people worldwide. This year is its 35th anniversary.
Earthdaynetwork
Information about Earth Day celebrations around the world.
Earth Site
John McConnell, the founder of Earth Day, shares the origin of Earth Day. Find out how to become an Earth Trustee and read the Earth Magna Charta.
Planetpals: About Earth Day
A listing of earthday activities, teaching aids, earth science and history information for grown ups and kids.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is symbolic of Mexican pride, unity and patriotism. For more information on this holiday, visit the following sites.
Cinco de Mayo History
Mexonlin.com provides information on the history of Cinco De May. They also provide information on Mexican history, famous battles, constitutions, treaties & documents, heroes, missions, and information about the people.
Cinco De Mayo
This bilingual (English and Spanish) site gives an account of the events that occurred during the Battle of Puebla, Mexico, on May 5, 1862, and a brief account of why this day is important to Mexican-Americans.
Cinco De Mayo WebQuest
Music, food, and a piñata help make learning about Cinco de Mayo fun!
Mother's Day
Many countries of the world celebrate Mother's Day at different times throughout the year. On May 8, 1914 President Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. For more information about Mother's day visit the sites below.
Amazingmoms.com
Mother's Day crafts and gifts for kids to make for Mother's Day.
Mother's Day History
The History of Mother's day, quotes, poems, craft and gift ideas.
Mother's Day on the net
Information on the history of Mother's Day, poetry, coloring fun and more.
Memorial Day *
The history of Memorial Day stretches back to the Civil War. On the last Monday in May, we honor and remember the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country.
Memorial Day
"Uncover the interesting history of the holiday we now call Memorial Day. Discover little-known facts about America's wars and stop by the Veterans' Forum message boards to share your views with veterans, their loved ones, and fellow history buffs." From the History Channel.
Memorial Day
Education World celebrates this special holiday with activities, music, and Web-based ideas to help children understand Memorial Day's significance.
National Moment of Remembrance
Explains the basic guidelines for observing the National Moment of Remembrance which was established by Congress to honor our fellow Americans who died in service to our Nation. On Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time, wherever you may be,take time to honor America's fallen heroes.
Father's Day
The United States is one of the few countries in the world that has an official day on which fathers are honored by their children. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. For more information on this holiday, visit the sites below.
Father's Day
Find craft ideas, coloring pages, reading fun and more to help you celebrate Father's Day.
Happy Father's Day
Brief history of the day, dedications to fathers, poetry and links.
History of Father's Day
History of Father's Day presented by The History Channel.
Independence Day *
Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America (July 4th, 1776). America is celebrating its 229th birthday this year. For more information and fun holiday activities, visit the following sites..
Fourth of July Celebrations Database
Database describes how the Independence Day holiday became official and early celebrations: it also includes chronologies, stories, speeches and links to some events scheduled for the next holiday.
Independence Day
Education World brings you great sites to explore, games to play, and lesson plans that will help your students recognize how the United States became an independent nation!
Independence Day on the Net
The story of America's Independence, a fireworks display, flag etiquette and more.
KidsDomain Holiday Fun
While this area is designed primarily for celebrating the 4th of July, many of the crafts and activities can be used for other USA Patriotic times.
Labor Day *
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States since 1894.
History of Labor Day
U.S. Department of Labor presents a history of this holiday "dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American Workers."
Labor Day
Education World helps us celebrate Labor Day with crafts, activities and songs.
Origins of Labor Day
PBS gives an account of the "turbulent circumstances of Labor Day's birth."
Columbus Day *
In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed every October 12th as Columbus Day. Since 1971, it has been celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Columbus Day KinderCrafts
Enchanted Learning.com presents a variety of fun crafts and activities for Columbus Day.
History of Columbus Day
History of Columbus Day, a brief biography of Christopher Columbus, and an Interactive New World Timeline are presented by The Holiday Channel.
Halloween
The word Halloween comes from medieval England's All Hallows' eve. Halloween customs predate Christianity, going back to Celtic practices associated with the beginning of winter and the Celtic new year. October 31 is celebrated in the United States by children going door to door in costumes demanding “trick or treat.”
Halloween History
The History Channel presents a history of Halloween, from its origins in the "ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in)" to modern day.
Halloween Kids.com
Your guide to family friendly frights from Universal Studios and UNICEF.
Halloween Online
Claims to be the Internet's largest Halloween Resource. Contains ideas about costumes, decorating and shopping, pumpkin carving, scary movies, recipes, haunted houses in your area, ghost stories, trick-or-treating safety, Halloween fonts, clipart and much more.
Halloween Safety
Safety tips covering safe costume designs, flame-resistant costumes, pedestrian safety, and more. Includes a diagram illustrating safe Halloween costumes.
Veteran's Day *
A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. On October 31, 2007, President George W. Bush proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Day. For more information on this holiday, visit the site below.
Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day
Includes events, the history of the day, annual proclamations, educational materials and related links.
Veterans Day
History of Veterans Day, a Timeline of America's Wars, Battle Maps and a Veterans Forum presented by The History Channel.
Thanksgiving *
The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a feast of thanksgiving in the early days of the American colonies almost four hundred years ago. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a legal holiday in all states. For more information on this holiday, visit the sites below.
History of Thanksgiving
History Channel presents a video clip on the history of Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving
Join Education World as they celebrate the Thanksgiving season. Articles, lesson ideas, site reviews, books, crafts, clipart and much more -- all to help you meet all your holiday needs!
Thanksgiving: its History, Customs and Traditions
On this site, you will discover some unusual things about the history of Thanksgiving, and you can take a fun quiz to find out how much you know.
Thanksgiving on the Net -
Stories of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving, virtual turkeys to take home, puzzles to play, and coloring pages.
Christmas *
No celebration, religious or secular, dominates western society as thoroughly as Christmas. For more information on this holiday, visit the sites below.
Christmas Around the World
Learn about Christmas traditions from around the world.
Christmas on the Net
Stories of Christmas and Santa from around the world, holiday music for singing along, tasty holiday recipes, and holiday pictures for the kids to print and color.
Christmas Ornaments
KidsDomain provides instructions for making a wide variety of Christmas ornaments.
Christmas Urban Legends
Offers over two dozen Christmas legends and myths.
Christmas Wonderland
A Singing Christmas Tree, information about the symbols of Christmas and links to other fun Christmas sites.
Online Christmas Songbook
Here you will find sheet music for popular Christmas carols and hymns.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Every year since 1984, PNC Advisors has provided a tongue-in-cheek Christmas Price Index, an economic analysis, based on the cost of goods and services purchased by the True Love in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
Text of the famous editorial from the New York Sun, 1897.
Kwanzaa
The word "Kwanzaa" comes from the phrase, "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first-fruits. Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. For more information on this holiday, visit the sites below.
Everything about Kwanzaa
Offers a detailed explanation of Kwanzaa and ideas for family celebrations.
Kwanzaa Time at KidsDomain
Crafts and activities to celebrate this holiday.
Official Kwanzaa Web Site
Information about the history of Kwanzaa and ways to celebrate the holiday.
Hanukkah (Chanukah)
Hanukkah means "dedication" and it commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the desecration by foreign forces. The roots of this name, and the Hanukkah holiday, come from the second century B.C.E. (Before the Common Era). Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days, commencing on the 25th day of the month of Kislev (November/December).
Chanukah
The story of Chanukah, a step-by-step guide to Chanukah observance, recipes, and games. This site also provides information about preparing for and observing other Jewish holidays.
Hanukkah
Information about Hanukkah from the Jewish Outreach Institute.
Hanukkah or Chanukah
Rabbi Mark S. Diamond discusses the History of Hanukkah and why it is also referred to as Chanukah.
History of Hanukkah
A look at the history and traditions ofHanukkah presented by the The History Channel.
     
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