Ancient Parties
Every four years, the Ancient Greeks held this massive festival and athletic competition in honor of Zeus.
What is the Olympics?
This June holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
What is Juneteenth?
On this day of the year, Mexico was freed from Spanish rule.
What is the 16th of September?
This Scottish song, whose title means "Times Gone By," is traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight.
What is Auld Lang Syne?
On November 1st and 2nd, families in Mexico build ofrendas to welcome back the spirits of loved ones for this holiday.
What is Dia de Los Muertos?
Known as the "Party God," this Greek deity of wine and theater was honored with wild festivals.
In 1870, this became the first official federal holiday in the United States, alongside New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.
What is Christmas?
On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries in this country stormed a medieval fortress and prison.
What is France?
In this country, it is tradition to eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each stroke of the clock—to ensure good luck for the 12 months ahead.
What is Spain?
In December, bad children in Austria and Germany don't fear coal, but this horned, goat-like demon who punishes them.
Who is Krampus?
The "Feast of the Tail," or Sed Festival, was held to renew the power of this ruler after they had reigned for 30 years.
Who is the Pharoah?
Before it was moved to the third Monday in February to honor all presidents, the U.S. celebrated this specific man's birthday on February 22nd.
Who is George Washington?
This nation's "Midnight's Children" celebrated independence from Britain on August 15, 1947.
What is India?
The "Lunar New Year," celebrated by billions in Asia, is also widely known as this "Season" Festival.
What is the Spring Festival?
This "fighting" festival in Spain requires thousands of tons of over-ripe red fruit to be trucked into the town square.
What is "La Tomatina"?
This Egyptian "King of the Gods" was honored at the Opet Festival, where statues traveled down the Nile River.
Who is Amun-Ra?
Though often associated with partying in New Orleans, the first American Mardi Gras actually took place in this city in 1703.
What is Mobile, Alabama?
Commonly mistaken for its independence day, the "Constitution Day" on May 17th involves massive children's parades in this country.
What is Norway?
To symbolize washing away the bad luck of the previous year, the "Songkran" festival in this country involves a massive nationwide water gun fight.
What is Thailand?
In the Spanish village of Castrillo de Murcia, men dressed as yellow devils jump over mattresses filled with these participants to cleanse them of original sin.
What are babies?
This Roman festival, held in December, involved gift-giving, gambling, and masters serving their slaves dinner.
What is Saturnalia?
Before it was renamed in 1971 to honor all who served, Memorial Day was originally known by this name, referencing the flowers placed on graves.
What is Decoration Day?
This is one of the few countries in the world that celebrates its independence from the United States, marking the date July 4, 1946.
What is the Phillippines?
While New York drops a ball, the city of Mobile, Alabama drops a 600-pound electric version of this treat to ring in the New Year.
What is a moon pie?
In Gloucestershire, England, competitors risk broken bones hurling themselves down a steep hill being chased by this obstacle.
What is the Wheel of Cheese?