Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts

Monday, January 21, 2013

#22 - Inauguration Facts

Commemorative Plate of U.S. Presidents, RockiePatch on Etsy, $22


  • The Constitution specifies January 20th as Inauguration Day. If the 20th falls on Sunday, a private inauguration occurs on the 20th then a public inauguration takes place on the 21st.
  • Before the 20th Amendment, Inauguration Day was March 4th. The date was moved to shorten the lame duck period for presidents during the Great Depression.
  • African Americans did not participate in the Inaugural Parade until 1865 when Abraham Lincoln was sworn in. Women didn't participate in the parade until 1917.
  • Because there was a mistake in the swearing in of Barack Obama in 2009, he was privately sworn in again to make sure his inauguration was Constitutionally correct. 



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

#1 - New Year's Traditions Around the World

***My posts are illustrated with handmade products created by fellow Etsians. Just click on any photo to go to the shop listing for that particular product. :)first topic to  learn about this year.


 Since this blog is starting as part of a New Year's resolution, I've chosen New Year's traditions as my first topic to  learn about this year.


When I think of New Year's, I think of the ball dropping in NYC.  Turns out watching the ball drop is the the most common New Year's celebration tradition in the US. However, learning about this tradition wouldn't be something new for me. So, I choose to learn about other traditions in the US and other countries.

United States



In the southern US, black-eyed peas and ham hocks are served as a New Year's meal. Eating black eyed peas on New Year's is thought to bring luck to an individual for that year.


 Denmark




The Danes have a unique tradition. They save their broken pottery throughout the year and throw it at friends' houses to bring in the New Year.


Scotland




One Scottish tradition is called first footing in which the Scots try to be the first person to visit the homes of friends and relatives at midnight on New Year's Eve. Those receiving guests hope that the first person who enters their home for New Year's is a male with dark hair. Blond, fair skinned individuals are sometimes considered unlucky because they are associated with the Vikings.


Mexico



To celebrate New Year's Day in Mexico, women often wear yellow underwear in hopes of financial prosperity or red underwear in hopes of finding love. 



How do you celebrate New Years? Do you have any family traditions to bring in the new year?



  ***My posts are illustrated with handmade or vintage products from fellow Etsians. Just click on any photo to go to the shop listing for that particular product. :)