WINTER SOLSTICE

    Learn about  all the many end-of-year holidays, some secular and some sacred.  Why do you imagine so many holidays from so many different faiths, so many geographic regions, and celebrated over so many thousands of years take place during the period of the sun's winter solstice?

Solstice

Winter Solstice  -- some science about solstice

Saturnalia: Winter Solstice in Pagan Rome

Solstice: Ancient Origins. - Ancient architecture that celebrates solstice; soltice celebrations in many cultures, remnants of pagan rituals

Christmas - Stories

Dicken's Christmas Tale

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the original story minus Jim Carrey

T'was the Night Before Christmas - the original poem

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus- The original Letter, now over a hundred year's old

Christmas - Meanings and Celebrations

Advent: Symbolism in the Season - Symbol of the Advent Wreath

Christmas Celebrations Aroung the World

Christmas - from Yahoo's Holidays and Observances

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa: an African-American Celebration - includes many links

Ramadan

Islamic Holidays and Observances - The Feast of Ramadan

Ramadan on the Net -  the Feast of Ramadan beginst on will start in North America a day later - on Saturday, the 22nd of August in North America and continues for the lunar month

Ramadan, the Fasting Month for the Muslims - All the particulars of the Celebration

Chanukah

Chanukah, Festival of Lights

Hanukah Celebrations - More history and activities

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year