As we enter the month of December, we are greeted by millions of twinkling lights. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of Christmas lights, it might surprise you to learn that the first electric Christmas lights have been around since the 1880s! A staple of holiday decorating, you can find these sparkling lights inside, …
Fun Facts
Discover some fun facts and historical trivia about all your favorite national days of the year.
When you think of Thanksgiving, what are the first things that pop into your mind? I bet without even trying, you’d name at least one of the symbols of Thanksgiving! Maybe you think of spending time with friends, or sharing gratitude on Thanksgiving. Maybe you associate the holiday with cooking meals for family, decorating, or …
Most of us take for granted watching color television, but this wasn’t always the case. It’s time to celebrate Color TV Day on June 25. In the early days of TV viewing, we were only able to watch shows in black and white. It wasn’t until the middle of the 20th century that color TV …
If you’ve ever had a mint julep, you’ll understand why this tasty cocktail is so popular. Learn the mint julep facts below to impress all your friends during your next cocktail party. What is a Mint Julep and why is it served in a silver cup? Curious about what’s in a mint julep? You may …
Travel back to the Mesozoic Era by learning 15 interesting dinosaur facts. Brushing up on your knowledge of these ancient creatures is a great way to celebrate the national days of the year that are dedicated to them! Even though dinosaurs are extinct, they are still the subject of three national days. Dinosaur Day falls …
Easter eggs play an integral part in modern-day Easter celebrations, but have you ever wondered about the history of Easter eggs and how they became associated with this holiday? Not only are they a symbol of Easter, but they are also the star of Easter egg hunts and a perfect canvas for dyed pastel colors. …
While you might not think much about the history of pretzels before consuming them, they have a story worth being told. Not only are pretzels a symbol of several holidays, but they also hold religious meaning. Even though you can find pretzels year round, you’ll see them with even more frequency during Lent and Easter. …
While there are many symbols that represent St. Patrick’s Day, none are as iconic as the shamrock. Keep reading to learn about the St. Patrick’s Day shamrock meaning. Images of St. Patrick’s Day frequently depict four leaf clovers, due to the belief that four leaf clovers are a lucky plant. However, shamrocks only have three …
The Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. During this time, you will see Chinese New Year symbols in everything from the decorations displayed to the lucky foods eaten during this time. Also called the Spring Festival, this celebration welcomes in the new year. The symbols of Chinese New …
Maybe you’ve just started learning about Mardi Gras, or maybe you’ve celebrated it your whole life. Either way, we’ve compiled a list of Mardi Gras king cake traditions for you to enjoy. The king cake is one of the most recognizable (and delicious) symbols of Mardi Gras. Like many of the aspects of Mardi Gras, …
It’s National Croissant Day! This national food day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the buttery and flaky pastry treat we all know and love. Croissants come in many varieties, each one as delicious as the next. There are the traditional butter croissants, and also filled croissants like the popular pain au chocolat. Other sweet …
The Year of the Dragon personality traits are characteristics that are common for those born under the sign of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Are you courageous, charismatic and quick to temper? If so, you may be a Chinese dragon! Have you heard of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs of animals? If so, …
During the month of October, you’re likely to see lots of Halloween symbols. In the fall, stores, and homes are filled with these images. They are present in everything from the Halloween decorations we use to the food we eat, and even the cocktails we drink during this time of year. Though we see the symbols …
With Halloween around the corner, it’s time to go over some black cat mythology. Let’s dive in to the Scottish folklore surrounding the cat sith, to understand why these shadowy felines are symbols of Halloween. The cat sìth (also spelled cait sìdhe) is described as a large black cat with a white patch on its …
Jack o’ lanterns are one of the main symbols of Halloween, and carving pumpkins is a Halloween tradition which stems from the Irish myth called The Legend of Stingy Jack. It’s no surprise that the first jack o lanterns hail from Ireland. After all, Halloween is a holiday that originated from Samhain, which made its …
If you’re a rum drinker you probably already know that not all rum is created equally. There are many different types of rum, which each have their own flavors, hues and methods of production. This popular spirit has a fascinating history. It has been consumed by everyone from pirates (who made the first piña colada) …
If you’re a fan of rum, then you’ll love learning about Black Tot Day. Its origins date all the way back to 1655, and have to do with drinking copious amounts of a type of rum called “navy rum”. While rum cocktails like pina coladas, mojitos, hot buttered rum and daiquiris are delicious, the variety …
This March 17, you’re likely to see lots of green, but did you know there are actually several St. Patrick’s Day colors? Each color has its own meaning, which is deeply rooted in Irish history. Green is by far the most popular of the St. Patrick’s colors. However, the original color associated with the patron …
Do you have a pet? National Love Your Pet Day gives us the perfect excuse to shower our pets with a little extra love! National Love Your Pet Day falls annually on February 20th. Celebrate it by reading the fun facts about pets below and doing something special for your pet. Even though the most …
It’s time to celebrate National Golden Retriever Day! This February 3 national day is dedicated to one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, the golden retriever. Keep reading for fun facts about golden retrievers, ways to celebrate the day, golden retriever history, themed events, famous golden retrievers and more! We’ve even …
The Year of the Rabbit traits are characteristics that are common for those born under the sign of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Are you gentle, elegant and skillful? If so, you may have Rabbit zodiac traits! The Year of the Rabbit happens once every 12 years. It plays a part in the …
Guy Fawkes Day is also known as Bonfire night and Firework night. It is an annual celebration, observed on November 5, in the UK and a few other places. The day is celebrated with bonfires, effigy burning fireworks and lots of singing. Read on to learn more about this historic day and get a fun …
It’s officially summer, which means National Tattoo Day is here! Let’s celebrate this July 17 national day with some fun facts about tattoos! You might be surprised to learn that tattooing has been around for thousands of years! The oldest known tattoos date back to 3300 B.C.E. In 1991, a mummy named Ötzi the Iceman was …
If you’re wondering “does wine temperature matter?”, the answer is yes! There actually is an ideal red wine temperature and an ideal white wine temperature. Serving and storing wines at their recommended temperatures will ensure you get the most balanced flavors the wines have to offer. If a wine is too hot or too cool, …
If you’ve ever had hot cross buns, you know how delicious they are. However, do you know the history of hot cross buns at Easter, and the meaning and symbolism they hold for the holiday? When you think of Easter, images of hot cross buns, the Easter bunny, Easter eggs, Easter lilies and pastel colors …
With spring drawing closer, and flowers beginning to bloom, its the perfect time to review the Easter lily meaning and symbolism. Easter is one of the most important feast days in the Christian calendar. There are many symbols associated with Easter that have religious meanings, including Easter lilies! There are two floral Easter symbols: Easter …