Photo: boy in front of a menorah, c. 1955. Credit: PikiWiki - Israel free image collection project; Wikimedia Commons.

Some Ideas for Celebrating Hanukkah

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 11, 2017

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about food and activities your whole family can enjoy for this special Jewish holiday... (Read More)

Illustration: "Happy Christmas" by Viggo Johansen, 1891. Credit: Den Hirschsprungske Samling; Wikimedia Commons.

Trimming the Tree: Your Ancestors’ Christmas Decorations

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 22, 2016

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn more about how our ancestors decorated their Christmas trees... (Read More)

Photo: Gold Star Mothers monument, Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, Ocala, Florida. Credit: Mlpearc; Wikimedia Commons.

Gold Star Mother’s Day

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on September 23, 2016

In this article – in honor of Gold Star Mother’s Day this Sunday – Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn about this special day... (Read More)

Illustration: the first American Labor parade held in New York City on 5 September 1882 as it appeared in Frank Leslie’s Weekly Illustrated Newspaper’s 16 September 1882 issue. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Labor Day & Our Ancestors

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on September 2, 2016

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn more about the holiday we’re about to celebrate: Labor Day. .. (Read More)

Photo: Pioneer Day parade, 2011. Credit: Peggy Clemens Lauritzen.

Utah Celebrates Pioneer Day This Sunday

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on July 22, 2016

An article about Utah’s special state holiday, “Pioneer Day,” which commemorates the arrival of the Mormons into the Salt Lake Valley on 24 July 1847... (Read More)

Photo: Father's Day personal ads. Source: Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 21 June 1981, page 44

Father’s Day Celebrations from the Past

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on June 17, 2016

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn about how our ancestors celebrated Father’s Day... (Read More)

Painting: "The March of Time," by Henry Sandham, 1896. This painting shows a parade of veterans of the U.S. Civil War during Decoration Day. General William Tecumseh Sherman is in the front row at the far right. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

When Memorial Day Was Decoration Day

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on May 30, 2016

In this blog article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn about the history of Memorial Day... (Read More)

Photo: fruitcake. Credit: D. Ramey Logan; Wikimedia Commons.

Family Holiday Traditions

By Thomas Jay Kemp on December 2, 2015

An article about the Crouch family of Virginia and the Holt family of Georgia exchanging a fruit cake every Christmas – for 57 years!.. (Read More)

Illustration: "The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth," by Jennie A. Brownscombe, 1914. Credit: Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal; Wikimedia Commons.

Thanksgiving Traditions

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on November 25, 2015

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn more about some of the Thanksgiving traditions families enjoy this time of year... (Read More)

Category: Holidays