Holiday History
When was the term X-Mas coined?
The mid-1500s by the Greeks "Chistos" in Greek begins with the letter X.
Which 3 colors are used in Kwanzaa?
Black, red and green. (Fun fact: Black symbolizes the African people, red is for the struggle, and green is for the rich land of Africa.)
Which department store was featured in the film Miracle on 34th Street?
Macy's
The Iranian festival of Yalda occurs on the longest and darkest night of the year. In Western cultures, this day is commonly known as what?
Winter Solstice
How much water was the Roman Aqueduct able to transport?
75,500 cubic meters of water every day. The fresh spring water moved with the force of gravity.
1870
What is the candle holder for Hanukkah called?
Menorah
Which was the highest grossing Christmas movie?
Home Alone
This holiday film became a Christmas classic three decades after its initial release, when studio rights expired and television stations started airing the flick on repeat.
It's a Wonderful Life
What did the Incas use to build their cities?
Granite and limestone with stone, bronze and copper tools, pieces of wood and water.
Who was the 1st U.S. president to recognize Hanukkah in the White House?
Jimmy Carter in 1979
True or false: Hanukkah is the most popular Jewish holiday.
False
In the Christmas story The Gift of Magi, what does the wife sell in order to purchase a gift for her husband?
Her hair
What Mexican tradition showcases men swinging around a pole?
Danza de los Voladores - Dancing Fliers
How many lights are on the top of the Empire State Building?
More than 16 million. In 2012, the Empire State Building added 1,200 computer-controlled LED fixtures, which increased the amount of possible colors from nine to more than 16 million.
What year was Kwanzaa created?
1966
How many days of Kwanzaa are there?
7
Charles Dickens
What year did Santa Claus first appear in a Coca Cola ad?
1931
What year was Antonio Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia completed?
It is still under construction. It was started on March 19, 1882
True or False: Christmas originally was a pagan holiday
True
How many weeks of Advent are there?
4
What brought Frostie to life?
His old silk hat
The writers of the popular sitcom “Seinfeld” created which winter holiday?
Festivus
How many bricks were used to build the Great Wall of China?
Approx. 3,873,000,000 individual bricks.