Why do humans love holidays so much—and who decided that these specific days get fireworks, feasts, and days off? In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, Alex unwraps the history and meaning of holidays and celebrations across cultures and time. We explore what a holiday actually is—a day set apart from ordinary life—and how the word began as “holy day” before expanding to include everything from religious festivals and national independence days to family birthdays, taco Tuesdays, and quirky “National ____ Day” celebrations.

Alex explains why humans celebrate in the first place: holidays give rhythm and structure to time, build social bonds, pass down traditions and stories, and remind us that life is about more than just work and survival. We travel back to the earliest holidays, rooted in nature and survival—like winter solstice, harvest festivals, and spring rituals—and see how humans used celebrations to cope with fear, uncertainty, and changing seasons.

The episode then tackles the big question: who picked the dates? We dive into how astronomy, religion, politics, and culture all played a role—solar and lunar calendars, leaders setting official holidays, and clever overlaps like Christmas near the winter solstice. Alex shows how dates are often chosen, negotiated, or repurposed, not magically “built into” time. We also explore the social psychology of holidays, how they strengthen identity, reduce loneliness, and support mental health, plus the economics of holidays, from Black Friday to commercialized celebrations like modern Mother’s Day.

Along the way, you’ll hear fun and strange holiday facts—from Japan’s KFC Christmas, to Spain’s 12 lucky grapes, to ancient Roman Saturnalia and the explosion of modern “National Days.” In the end, holidays turn out to be one of humanity’s oldest and most creative inventions: our way of giving time meaning, memory, and sparkle.