Here in the U.S. the holiday season is truly upon us! 🍷🎉🎁🥂 W..
Added 2024-11-25 16:18:39 +0000 UTCHere in the U.S. the holiday season is truly upon us! 🍷🎉🎁🥂 What is the history of “The Holidays”?? :The concept of “the holidays” as a distinct season encompassing multiple celebrations largely developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, but its roots are much older. Here's an overview:Pre-modern Origins- Winter Celebrations: Many cultures celebrated during the darkest time of the year. Ancient festivals like Yule (Scandinavian), Saturnalia (Roman), and other solstice celebrations provided communal joy during the winter.- Religious Holidays: By the Middle Ages, Christian observances like Advent and Christmas were widely celebrated, and Jewish Hanukkah traditions were established. 19th Century: Christmas Takes Center Stage- The Rise of Modern Christmas: By the Victorian era, Christmas gained prominence as a time for family gatherings, gift-giving, and charity, especially through works like Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843).- Hanukkah's Shift: In the late 19th century, Hanukkah became more emphasized in Jewish communities, especially in North America, partly to align with the growing societal focus on December holidays. 20th Century: “The Holidays” as a Season- Commercialization and Inclusivity: The 20th century saw the blending of religious and secular traditions, particularly in the United States, as retailers promoted a “holiday season” for marketing purposes. This began to include Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and eventually Kwanzaa (introduced in 1966).- Post-WWII Boom: After World War II, with the rise of suburbia and mass marketing, the idea of "the holidays" as a multi-week, culturally inclusive season became widespread.- Media Influence: Films, TV specials, and music (e.g., Irving Berlin's "White Christmas") reinforced the idea of a festive, inclusive season.Today, “the holidays” broadly refers to a time from late November to early January, incorporating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s, celebrated in both religious and secular contexts.
