It’s November and here in the United States it’s Native American Heritage Month. Thanksgiving also takes place on the third Thursday of the month. This year, it’s on November 24th. The National Congress for American Indians describes Native American History Month: “The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important … Read More
Happy Groundhog Day!
Groundhog, groundhog, in your burrow, do we get to spring forward or will you see your shadow? With spring just around the corner, it’s that wonderful time of year where we look to our furry forecaster, the groundhog, to see if spring is here early or if we have 6 more weeks of winter. So why exactly do we do … Read More
The Story of Jack (AKA, Mr. O’Lantern)
It all starts with an Irish folktale called The Legend of Stingy Jack. So who exactly is this “Stingy Jack?” As the story goes, Jack lived in a small Irish village. He was known among the villagers as a drunk and not a very nice person. In fact, the Devil himself heard many rumors about Jack and became jealous of … Read More
The History of Valentine’s Day!
As we enter the season of rose bouquets and heart-shaped candies, I thought it’d be interesting to share the not-so-lovely story about how Cupid’s holiday came to be what it is today. The history of Valentine’s day is a bit patchy, with not a whole lot of specific details, but the story is definitely worth a share. So, to start … Read More
Snuggle Up With Some Winter Holiday Books!
I love reading with my kids. And I especially love reading books about winter holidays. Reading books allows us to see how children and families around the world celebrate and acknowledge this special time. I’ve put together a list of some of our favorite winter holiday books here at History Unboxed that focus on Solstice, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Hanukkah celebrations. … Read More
Sugarplums! Recipe for a Victorian Holiday Treat
In the Victorian era, sweets made of dried fruits, with nuts, spices and sugar, were special holiday treats. These “sugar plums” were carefully prepared and then put in cones of festively colored paper to hang on the Christmas tree or packaged in pretty boxes for gifts. To create a special treat, and give yourself a taste of history, try our … Read More
DON’T play this game (but here’s a few to play instead!)
‘Tis the season for getting cozy and playing games as a family. As the days get shorter, you can dust off your Monopoly, the Royal Game of Goose, or perhaps your Senet board from Ancient Egypt Unboxed. But there is one historic holiday game that we would love to share, but you absolutely should not play: Snap-Dragon. While you might … Read More