American Holiday Series

February 14, 2021

Although Valentine's Day is not an official holiday anywhere, it is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other holiday. Where did this rose-hued holiday custom of gift-giving, card sharing, chocolate consuming courtship, and romance originate?

Did you know that every February over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold, that the average person spends $164.76 for the day, that approximately one billion cards are exchanged around the world, that $2 billion-plus will be spent on flowers, and that each year approximately 18 percent of women send themselves flowers?

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December 16, 2021

What are "the common objects of our love" – those things St. Augustine said to bind a people into a nation? What are the things people celebrate? In the American Holidays series, Jefferson Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth continues his exploration of those things Americans love in common. In this episode, American Holidays explores the origins of how Americans celebrate Christmas by asking who were the four men who created the American Way of Christmas, who was "Sinter Klaas" and who gave Rudolph his Red Nose? Oh, and is it "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" and what is it about "Auld Lang Syne" one sings every December 31st? 

November 18, 2021

What are "the common objects of our love" – those things St. Augustine said bind a people into a nation? What are the things people celebrate? In the American Holidays series, Jefferson Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth continues his exploration of those things Americans love in common. In this episode, American Holidays explores America's Fall Festivals – "Boo, it's Halloween" and "Thank you", it's Thanksgiving. Halloween – what are its roots? What is Allhallowtide, how does it connect to the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain and why "trick or treat"? Thanksgiving – what really happened in 1619 in Virginia and 1621 at Plymouth Colony? Who was Sara Josepha Hale – the 19th century Martha Stewart – and Lydia Maria Child, who wrote to "Grandfather's house we go", and how did President Franklin Roosevelt set Thanksgiving's date? 

October 28, 2021

What are "the common objects of our love" – those things St. Augustine said bind a people into a nation? What are the things people celebrate? In the American Holidays series, Jefferson Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth continues his exploration of those things Americans love in common. In this episode, American Holidays explores Sporting America – its history and development, the changing meaning of the word sport and the cultural evolution of those "sports" America celebrates. From horse racing in colonial America to today's Triple Crown, from the "rumble and tumble" of 19th-century fist-fighting to Mixed-Martial Arts, from Harry Wright's Cincinnati Red Stockings to today's MLB, from Princeton versus Rutgers to today's College Football Playoffs, from James Naismith hanging a peach basket in the Springfield, MA YMCA to today's Final Four and NBA FINALS, from the Canton Bulldogs and the first 'Super Bowl' to today's mega-event NFL championship and many other stops in between, we'll explore the meaning of sport in American life and how Americans celebrate 'their sporting life'.

June 29, 2021

What are "the common objects of our love" – those things St. Augustine said bind a people into a nation? One is the things people celebrate. In the American Holidays series, Jefferson Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth, continues his exploration of those things Americans love in common. This episode of American Holidays explores how Americans celebrate freedom. What's the difference between an "official holiday" and an "observance"? We'll explore the origins of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Juneteenth and the Fourth of July? We'll ask what was Armistice Day? What was Decoration Day and how did it become Memorial Day? What Longfellow poem defined the day? What happened on June 19th , 1865 and how did it evolve into Juneteenth? Finally, before The Star-Spangled Banner what was the American national anthem? We'll rediscover Hail Columbia, America (My Country Tis of Thee) and Yankee Doodle as we chart how Americans celebrate the Fourth of July.

REMEMBER: If you missed previous episodes that's okay because there are NO PREREQUISITES. Each episode stands alone.

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April 27, 2021 

What are "the common objects of our love" – those things St. Augustine said bind a people into a nation? One is the things people celebrate. In the American Holidays series, Jefferson Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth, continues his exploration of those things Americans love in common. In this month's episode Roth explores the origins of Mothers' and Fathers' Day, asks and answers who was Anna Jarvis, roots around in the question "Why are there so many days – days like Administrative Professionals Day, Grandparents Day et. al. – when the primary task seems to be sending flowers, flowers, flowers?" American Holidays – an exploration of "the common objects of our love"!

March 17, 2021 

Where did Uncle Sam come from? Find the answer in this episode of American Holidays as we explore a new thread in the stories of how Americans weave the common objects of their love into the national fabric. We'll peruse America's many ethnic holidays as a nation of immigrants celebrates their origins. We'll look in some detail at St. Patrick's Day – and ask 'What's the shamrock test'? – Columbus Day and a number of other less famous ethnic celebrations, such as National Tartan Day, Cinco de Mayo, Dutch American Day and St. David's Day. American Holidays and Celebrations of America's Ethnic Cultural Heritage.