Commemorating the killing of innocent children under King Herod. When was the Children's Mass first observed, and what was its origin? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-childermas #Childermas #Christmas #KingHerod

December 27 is National Fruitcake Day. What is its origin, how does it differ from country to country, why does it last so long, what do people in Colorado do with it? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-fruitcake #Fruitcake #Holiday #Colorado

What is the background of this quintessential British holiday, how is it related to King Wenceslaus and the Feast of St. Stephen? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-boxing-day #BoxingDay #Wenceslaus #StStephen

The historical, political, and religious background of this popular Jewish celebration. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-chanukah #Chanukah #Hanukkah #Jewish #FestivalOfLights

How a surprise attack by General George Washington on Christmas was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-the-first-american-christmas-1776 #Christmas #1776 #GeorgeWashington #Deleware

My father was at the last German offensive on the Western Front of World War II 80 years ago. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-eve-and-the-battle-of-the-bulge #BattleOfTheBulge #WorldWarII #ChristmasEve #1944

How a typo began Christmas tracking at NORAD, and how the military, celebrities, and airmen supported it. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-santa-tracker #SantaTracker #Christmas #NORAD #History

What does Solstice mean, and how does it usher in Winter? Blog: https://billpetro.com/science-of-winter-solstice #Solstice #Science #History #Winter

5 Christmas Myths, Not Found in the Nativity Story. A fresh look at what the biblical sources say. Blog: https://billpetro.com/5-christmas-myths #Christmas #Myths

The Background, historical context, and impact of the Dickens classic. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-a-christmas-carol #Christmas #AChristmasCarol #Dickens