The Pagan Origins of Christmas Ham
The tradition of eating ham on Christmas dates back to Nordic animal sacrifices.
The tradition of eating ham on Christmas dates back to Nordic animal sacrifices.
For millennia, people have celebrated the longest night of the year with these Yule traditions.
St. Nicholas may have inspired Santa Claus, but the two figures were remarkably different.
The Supreme Court ruled that government entities can’t display nativity scenes on public property without including symbols of other faiths, but that hasn’t stopped some towns from trying.
Discover the origins of the Christmas tree tradition that brings joy to millions each season.
The Christmas legend that animals gain the power of speech on Christmas Eve has roots all the way back in the manger.
The long wait for the Notre-Dame Cathedral to reopen will be over in December.
Discover the most valuable Hummels that might have been lurking in your grandmother’s curio cabinet for years, including finds from the brand’s special limited-run Disney collection and others.
Christmas has been canceled a fair number of times throughout history.
In the 1980s, media hysteria saw demonic undertones in everything from ‘Mister Ed’ to Pampers diapers.
Discover the origins of the classic phrase 'knock on wood,' which could be tied to a Victorian-era children's game or have more direct ties to old pagan traditions.
There’s a lot of cultural and religious significance attached to this enduring Jewish wedding tradition. Plus, it’s just plain fun.
Many Amish believe photos are forbidden. So how can they do anything requiring a photo ID?
Angkor Wat is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Here is what we know of its story, from its countless carvings to feats of engineering.
A fascinating new discovery has emerged about a pamphlet found in the rafters of William Shakespeare’s childhood home.
Jelly beans are a staple of Easter baskets, but how did they get there?
As you’re celebrating the sunny season with domestic cleanses, painted eggs, and frenzied grappling matches over beer barrels, you might begin to wonder where these rituals came from.
Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day? And why do they eat corned beef and cabbage? Let’s dive into the origins of some popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
You might not realize that the Amish sometimes drive in cars and operate power tools.
Frankincense and myrrh are a fragrant part of traditional Christmas celebrations, but what exactly are these pebble-like perfumes?
The Garden of Earthly Delights is a piece so ripe with symbolism that it inspires intense curiosity more than 500 years after it was painted.
When Octavia E. Butler wrote her science fiction novel ‘The Parable of the Sower,’ she vowed to include only things that could actually happen.
What is a placebo? Technically, a Latin phrase meaning ‘I will please.’ It’s also a Catholic prayer and a clever insult.
Not every cult is a commune-based religious organization run by a charismatic man.