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Christmas: Why Is It Celebrated on December 25?
Here are some things you may not have known about the history of Christmas. Christmas is, of course, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In addition to being a religious holiday, it’s also a public holiday in many parts of the world and is celebrated by many non-Christians. There is not much agreement…
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Eggnog Riot: What Do You Do With a Drunken Cadet?
Today is the 189th anniversary of the Eggnog Riot, the aftermath of a drunken Christmas party at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Here are some things you may not have known about the riot. In 1826, alcohol possession and intoxication were grounds for expulsion from West Point. Despite this, there was…
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“A Visit From St. Nicholas”: Playing the Reindeer Name Game
On this date in 1823, “A Visit From St. Nicholas” was published for the first time. Here are some facts you may not have known about what has come to be known as “The Night Before Christmas.” The poem was originally published anonymously in the Sentinel newspaper in Troy, New York. In 1837, it was…