The modern Olympic Torch Relay originated in Nazi Germany in 1936 as a way to promote the myth of “Aryan” superiority. The torch’s path foreshadowed the path Hitler’s troops would take in WWII. However, the torch relay became a symbol of peace after the war. Jesse Owens won four gold medals, angering Hitler. The Olympic […]
The modern Olympics began in 1896 in Athens, Greece, after decades of interest in reviving the ancient games. The push for international competition was led by Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894. The first modern Olympics had 245 male athletes from 14 countries competing in 43 events. The ancient Olympic […]
The American football scoring system originated from versions of rugby played in the US in the 19th century. Walter Camp created a points system where different goal combinations were compared, which evolved into the current system with touchdowns worth six points and a two-point conversion option. The system reflects a shift from kicking to running […]
Trade unions are associations of workers who unite to improve their working conditions and protect themselves from exploitation. Labor Day honors American workers and their contributions. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) made significant contributions to protecting workers’ rights. However, unions have seen a decline in membership and […]
Curry is a spicy dish with roots in Indian cuisine, made with meat, fish, or vegetables in a rich sauce. The spice blend, often sold as curry powder or paste, varies by region and includes ingredients such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chillies. Curries are popular worldwide, with variations in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa, the […]
Slavery in America began with the use of white indentured servants, but after the Bacon Rebellion, plantation owners turned to African slaves who were easier to control. The slave trade was facilitated by international trade in rum, lumber, rice, and sugar. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 and the three-fifths compromise helped maintain slavery until […]
St. Patrick’s Day Parade began in New York City in 1762 with Irish Protestant immigrants. St. Patrick was captured by Celts and forced to work in Ireland before returning to England and becoming a priest. He returned to Ireland to convert the Irish people to Christianity. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in honor of him […]
Many Christians acknowledge that Easter and Christmas traditions have been influenced by pagan rituals, but some choose not to celebrate because of this. Incorporating these traditions into new religions is not new, and it can be easier to convert people by allowing them to keep familiar rituals. Some argue that certain symbols, such as the […]
The swastika is an ancient symbol of good luck and well-being, appearing in cultures worldwide. Its unfortunate association with the Nazi Party in WWII has left it despised in the West, but it continues to be used positively in many other countries and religions. Its origin may be psychological or astronomical. Swastika in Sanskrit means […]
Valentine’s Day has pagan roots in fertility festivals, but the Christian church sought to replace it with a more serious holiday. The origins of the holiday are unclear, as there were three Valentines. The holiday evolved into a celebration of love and marriage, with the tradition of exchanging cards and gifts. Today, it is celebrated […]
The African slave trade began before America’s involvement and still exists in parts of Africa today. Slavery was common in Ghana and Nigeria in the 18th century, but slaves had the ability to purchase their freedom. Portugal brought slaves to Brazil, followed by other countries in South and Central America. The US had a smaller […]
The necktie’s origins date back to ancient China and Rome, where it was used for practical purposes. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that it became a decorative element. The modern necktie was inspired by Croatian mercenaries’ large cravats, which were more practical than frilled collars. The tie evolved over time, becoming narrower and allowing […]
The Paisley print, originating in India and brought to Scotland, became popular in the 1960s on men’s clothing and has recently resurfaced on women’s skirts and bags. It is commonly found on men’s ties and handkerchiefs today. The Paisley print is an easily recognizable motif resembling a crooked teardrop or half of a yin-yang. A […]
The Miss America pageant started in 1921 to attract business to Atlantic City. Margaret Gorman was the first winner. It was suspended during the Great Depression and had its first African American winner in 1984. The Miss America pageant began in 1921 as a way for Atlantic City businessmen to attract business after the summer. […]
Reality TV dates back to the 1940s with shows like Candid Camera and live broadcasts of events like The Miss America Pageant. Cops, which debuted in 1989, is considered a predecessor to shows like The Real World and Survivor. The idea of combining competition with unscripted TV came from the Swedish show Expedition: Robinson, which […]
The tradition of engagement rings dates back to the classical era when it was believed that a vein ran from the left ring finger to the heart. The tradition became widespread in the medieval era, with only the wealthiest noblemen able to afford gemstones. Today, diamond solitaires are the most common type of engagement ring. […]
The phrase “upside down” originated from “top turvy” in Middle English, meaning “to overthrow”. It evolved to describe chaotic situations and can refer to physical or metaphorical states. Reduplication is common in slang, creating rhyming phrases like “hanky panky” and “willy nilly”. The term “upside down” to describe a situation of disorder or confusion has […]
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night draws on traditional Tudor celebrations of the same name, which involved dressing up and inverting social order. The play also takes elements from the story of Apollonius and Sulla, which itself draws on a long tradition of mistaken identity stories. Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will, is one of the playwright’s […]
The Internet began as a US government-funded network for communication in case of a nuclear attack. Visionaries like Licklider, Kleinrock, and Roberts contributed to its development, with ARPANET considered synonymous with its origins. TCP/IP protocols allowed commercial entities and LANs to connect to WANs. Berners-Lee’s hypertext language ushered in the World Wide Web, and Mosaic […]
The Easter Bunny is a symbol of fertility and new life, combining the prolific breeding of rabbits and hares with the egg-laying of birds in spring. It originated in Germany and was brought to the US by Dutch settlers. The tradition of building nests for the bunny’s eggs evolved into modern Easter baskets. Egg coloring […]
