History Articles

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History of the Poinsettia

Where does the poinsettia come from? Where was this traditional Christmas plant discovered? Are...
Month of October, Fall Days

The Month of October 2020: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore

In October, autumn comes into full swing. Let’s get in the mood! Learn why it’s called October,...
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Grandparents Day 2020

Grandparents Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year, that’s Sunday...
Viking Shield

The History of Shaving and Beards

Can you imagine plucking facial hair? When (and why) did men start shaving their beards?...
independence-day-usa

Fourth of July 2020: Celebrate with History, Traditions, and Recipes

What is Independence Day (U.S.)? How did our founders envision our country’s celebration? Learn the...
natural-beauty-treatments-recipes

DIY Face and Hair Masks: Nourishment From the Kitchen!

For centuries, people have been using fruits, vegetables and other natural products to nourish...
Flag Day June 14

Flag Day 2020: Celebrating the American Flag

Flag Day is Sunday, June 14! This annual holiday celebrates the history and symbolism of the...
Mother and Baby

The History of Mother's Day in the United States

The real history of Mother’s Day in the United States might surprise you. Three women—who...
Mother Jones

Meet Mother Jones

Who was Mother Jones? This American schoolteacher and dressmaker lived hand-to-mouth, lost her...
sourdough-starter-bread

Sourdough Starters and Recipes

How about trying your hand at making a sourdough starter from scratch?! Here’s a little history...
Groundhog Day Celebration (Resize)

Groundhog Day 2020

Groundhog Day comes from our agricultural past and marks the halfway point to the spring equinox....
MLK Jr. with JFK in 1963

9 Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on Monday, January 20, 2020. Celebrate this revolutionary...
Founding Fathers

How to Live a Longer Life

Can you be too busy to die? Perhaps there’s just no time to answer the door when the Grim Reaper...
Old Calendar

How Did the Months Get Their Names?

How did the months of the year get their names? The months’ names reflect a mix of gods and...
Ethnic Breads for Christmas, New Years, Easter, and More

Ethnic Bread Recipes for the Holidays

Certain holidays are accompanied by traditional ethnic recipes, many of which are for baking bread...
Fireworks

New Year's Traditions From Around the World

Many New Year’s traditions that we take for granted today actually have a long, long history. This...
Mistletoe Meaning and Lore | Why We Kiss Beneath It

Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe?

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Of all the plants used as Christmas decorations, none has as...
Christmas Firsts

Christmas Firsts: The Origins of Christmas Traditions in America

When did the first Christmas card, Christmas tree, and department store Santa Claus appear in...
Saint Nicholas

St. Nicholas Day 2019

Was Saint Nicholas a real person? Is he the true Santa Claus and Father Christmas? Find out about...
Halloween Pumpkin

Quarter Days and Cross-Quarter Days

Halloween has ancient origins. For the Celts, it was a cross-quarter day called Samhain (“summer’s...
Father's Day History

The Forgotten History of Father's Day

Father’s Day was not immediately accepted when it was proposed, and it did not become a national...
Trumpet Taps

The Tuneful Tale of "Taps"

Ever wonder about the bugle call performed on Memorial Day and Veterans Day and at almost every...
Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, the Almanac, and a Murder Trial

Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12 in 1809, pursued a legal career before turning to a political...
Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes

Best Homemade Pancake Recipes

Some of the best homemade pancake recipes are also the simplest. All on one page, find our best...
history-of-american-cosmetics

History of American Cosmetics

The history of cosmetics is a fascinating one, as standards of beauty have changed significantly...
left hand

Left-Hander's Day: August 13

August 13 is Left-Handers Day! If you or the lefties in your life feel excluded, forgotten, or even...
Collins Cave Rescue

Trapped for Life: America’s Most Famous Cave Rescue

We’ve been riveted by the cave rescue in Thailand and watching as 12 boys were successfully rescued...
how-your-appearance-determines-personality

Old-Fashioned Views on How Appearance Determined Personality

Judging by this document published in Brookfield, Massachusetts in 1816, a bushy eyebrow shows you...
Remembering the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake-HD Chadwick, Wikimedia Commons

Remembering the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

 At 5:12 A.M. on Wednesday, April 18, 1906, an earthquake woke up residents of San Francisco and...
American Barn

The Evolution of the American Barn

Who doesn’t enjoy catching sight of an American barn when they drive down the road? Discover the...
Walking Down the Aisle

Why Are Wedding Dresses White?

Why are wedding dresses white? What are the meanings behind wedding dress colors? Learn about the...
sarah-josepha-hale

Sarah Josepha Hale: Godmother of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! While you are being grateful for your food, friends, and family, take a little...
Mark Twain

Interesting Facts About Mark Twain

November 30 is the birthday of Mark Twain, born in 1835. Here are 10 curious facts about his life...
etiquette-and-manners-in-the-victorian-era

Victorian Era Etiquette and Manners

There were countless rules of social manners and etiquette during the Victorian Era, though they...
Almanacs in America

The Almanac in America

In all my years of experience in publishing The Old Farmer’s Almanac, holding one up before a...
225 Timeline Promo Image

Timeline of The Old Farmer's Almanac—and America!

People often ask how and why this Almanac has lasted. Here’s the answer in an interactive timeline...
The Process of Pickling

History of Pickling and Pickling Spices

If you love pickles, you will be as intrigued as to learn about the history of pickling and...
'bursting sunrise'

Origin of Day Names

The days of the week were named by the Romans with the Latin words for the Sun, the Moon, and the...
History of Switchel

A History of Switchel

Switchel, or haymaker’s punch, is an old-fashioned summer drink that carries great history. This...
heat-wave-weather-anniversary

Summer Heat Wave of 1936

Eighty years ago as of July 2016, a blistering heat wave hit the eastern seaboard. We may complain...
how-not-to-rob-a-bank

How Not to Rob a Bank

With tongue in cheek, we present here six easy rules to follow when robbing a bank, along with...
History of ice cream-Thinkstock

The History of Ice Cream

The history of ice cream is a messy one. Many nations claim to have invented it, just as various...

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