Holiday History

Three Nephites. One star. A divine quest that will shake empires—and eternity. When an angel descends with a heavenly summons, three chosen men leave behind everything—family, homeland, safety—to follow a star blazing across the sky. Their destination: the birth of the Son of God. Their path: perilous, holy, and utterly unknown. Jared, a master of the stars, can chart the heavens—but not the unraveling of his own fate. Totec, a warrior prince, must conquer the pride that threatens to destroy their mission from within. Nephi, prophet and leader, bears the sacred call of God—and a ...

I need a part-time job. Quick. When I see the ad for a historical re-enactor, I know it’s perfect. I don’t know it will transform my life. During the interview, the head of the group warns me this is more than I expect. It’s different from the theater productions I’m used to. But I promise to commit to the role — to fully immerse myself in the character. I don’t realize this means I’ll wind up in petticoats and dresses. And then there’s him. The instant we meet, I become stuck. Stuck in that spot and stuck to him. I’m wearing a dress. I should be embarrassed. The heat ...

In recent years many claims have been made and questions asked about the origins of our Easter traditions. Was the holiday based on Pagan traditions? Was Easter created by the Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Nicaea? Where did Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny come from? How did Lent get started? Should Christians celebrate Easter, or should we be celebrating Passover? In this book we try to go back to the origins of these traditions and examine the historical evidence available to us to see where all of these traditions got started. Starting with the Bible as our guide, we work our ...

Young listeners learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Thanksgiving.

Even by the standards of the 1970s, even compared to Jar-Jar Binks, the legendary 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special is a peerlessly cringeworthy pop-culture artifact.

Charming, handsome Trey Anderson balances the pressures of school popularity with a job at his family’s beloved local bookshop, Wonderland. Quirky, creative Ariel Spencer needs tuition for the prestigious art program of her dreams, and an opening at Wonderland is the answer. When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland is on the brink of being shut down by a neighborhood gentrifier, they team up to stop the doors from closing before the Christmas Eve deadline—and embark on a hate-to-love journey that will change them forever.

In 1815 the Battle of Waterloo brought to an end the Napoleonic Wars and the European continent opened up once again to British tourists. The nineteenth century was to be an age driven by steam technology, mass-industrialisation and movement, and, in the footsteps of the Grand Tourists a hundred years earlier, the British middle-classes flocked to Europe to see the sights. In Tourists, the voices of these travellers – puzzled, shocked, delighted and amazed – are brought vividly to life.

The Pilgrims' celebration of the first Thanksgiving is a keystone of America's national and spiritual identity. But is what we've been taught about them or their harvest feast what actually happened? And if not, what difference does it make? Through the captivating story of the birth of this quintessentially American holiday, veteran historian Tracy McKenzie helps us to better understand the tale of America's origins—and for Christians, to grasp the significance of this story and those like it.

As a genealogist, what would you give to spend one day with one of your ancestors? To witness everyday details of his or her life, whether it involved a favorite recipe, cooking methods, gardening, transportation or how children spent their day? Genealogy and stories related to major life events are often found in journals and other sources, but what about activities such as holiday celebrations or games children played on balmy summer evenings? Wouldn't you like to go one step beyond vague stories about walking four miles to school through two feet of snow or canning peaches on a woodstove...

When Juniper returns home for Christmas, will the magic of the season turn what starts as a fling into something more? Coming home for Christmas wasn’t part of my plan, especially not after my ex, Troy, dumped me like a hot potato for another woman. But my mom’s guilt trips are as relentless as ever, and with no flights available, I find myself on a twelve-hour drive back to the small town I left behind. Just as I’m about to reach town, my car gives up the ghost, leaving me stranded with a snowstorm approaching and no cell service. That’s when he shows up. Mason Knight. The high ...

The United States is a nation that touts its diversity, but there is one tradition that all Americans love to share. Every year on the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate the founding of the nation. Independence Day is the greatest of national traditions, but much of the inherited lore that surrounds the Fourth is myth and legend, not history.

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions reveals the surprising, quirky, mysterious, and sometimes horrifying stories behind the most wonderful time of the year.

What Shall We Do Today? Father's Day Magic - A Time-Travel Adventure for Young Readers Perfect for Father's Day Reading & Year-Round Learning! Join three best friends on a magical journey through time to discover the heartwarming origins of Father's Day! When curious 7-year-old Imani, enthusiastic Tommy, and knowledge-loving Maya find mysterious glowing tools, they're transported back to 1908 West Virginia to meet Grace Golden Clayton—the woman who organized the very first Father's Day service. Through magical adventures spanning from 1908 to 1910, these young heroes help create a holiday...

History repeats itself for Phoebe Kozak. When Phoebe learns she’s having a baby, she convinces her grandparents it’s best for her to leave their small town and move to another, where no one knows her. While wandering around Winter Springs’ tree farm, she spots her ex-boyfriend. In order to hide from him, she does the only thing she can think of and finds herself in a pickle. Grady Linden offered to dress up as Santa this year at his family’s Christmas tree farm. As he wanders around, greeting children and adults alike, one woman captures his attention, in more ways than one. He must...

Have you ever really considered the psychological effects of the Santa Claus story and Holidays in general? A Holiday Hazing Santa Clause Syndrome is a presentation of one of the most devastating and most commonplace psychological afflictions of the postmodern era; Santa Clause Syndrome. A Holiday Hazing Santa Clause Syndrome dissects the psychological results of the cultural initiation that is celebration of Santa Clause. Moreover no one has elaborated on Christmas and holidays in general like this in 2,000 years! You will laugh, you may cry, and you will forever more question institutions...

Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy—the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday's raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong's trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce?

History is turned inside out when off-world travelers challenge Tyson Reyes and Madi Grace to a real-life game of Temporal Dilemma. Three rounds from the opponents and Hitler takes Europe, Pearl Harbor never happens, a fascist cloud hangs over the postwar United States, and CHRONOS itself is erased from existence. Now Tyson, Madi, and a team of seasoned players must make their moves - in 1930s New York. Jazz and the blues waft from Village clubs. The World’s Fair draws assassins. Madison Square Garden hosts Nazis. And the Manhattan Project never gets off the ground.

An outdoor enthusiasts’ haven is rocked by scandal when ancient Anasazi ruins are discovered on property owned by unpopular businessperson, Calamity Joan. When Joan is suddenly, mysteriously killed, blame falls on the owner of the bed and breakfast where Tiffany and Rosie are staying. Could these Anasazi ruins have led to Joan’s death? Tiffany and Rosie find themselves in the middle of a web of dark secrets, scrambling to uncover the truth before it’s too late… Praise for A.R. Winters: "The perfect balance of being lighthearted, but still a serious page-turning mystery." - Jaycie D,...

Dear Traveler, Welcome to the WanderStories™ guide to French cuisine, traditions and customs, holidays and celebrations, humor, and what makes the French so French. We, at WanderStories™, are storytellers. We don’t tell you where to eat or sleep, we don’t intend to replace a typical travel reference guide. Our mission is to be the best local guide that you would wish to have by your side when visiting the sights. So, we meet you at the sight and take you on a tour. WanderStories™ travel guides are unique because our storytelling style puts you alongside the best local guide who ...

The happy, tranquil, traditional way of life on the remote, little Scottish island of Skran far out in the Firth of Clyde is threatened with unwanted upheaval along with an environmental disaster by big business. Can Bonnie and Clive Sutherland help prevent it or will money speak. Drams, Jams and Scams follows on from where our previous book Daydream Believers left off. Drams are the moonshine peatreek that is illicitly distilled on the island, that they are continually being offered. The jams are what they get into when they encounter tight spots; including ghosts, a mysterious station ...