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December 2004 Spotlight: Winter Holidays Around the World

Many cultures and religions mark the end of each year with special celebrations. Christians sing carols and decorate trees with ornaments and lights for Christmas. Santa Claus (who has different names throughout the world) visits children and leaves gifts, money, and other treats. Another celebration, Hanukkah, is the Jewish festival of lights. The Hanukkah legend reveals that a one-day supply of oil burned for eight days. The menorah candles that Jews light represent each of these eight days. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for a month. Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that began in the United States in 1966 to honor cultural roots in Africa. The holiday lasts seven days and nights, each marked by the lighting of a candle. In addition to these holidays, Las Posadas and New Year's, are celebrated at the end of the year. Explore the traditions and histories of these and other holidays around the world in SIRS Discoverer articles.