Tag Archives: Holidays

Classic Covers: By the Light …

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… of the silvery moon? of a sparkling Christmas tree? of a glowing Jack-o’-lantern? The “star” in some paintings is not just the subject of the piece, but the lighting—a face lit by lamplight, a city bathed in sunshine, or the reflections of a snowfall. Our cover artists show intriguing use of light in all seasons—outdoors and some interesting, or even creepy, indoor lighting. ... More

The Spirit of the Fifth of July

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On the day after the nation’s birthday, after the smoke from the fireworks has cleared, and we’ve cleaned up after guests, America will return to its job of building a nation. Rarely has that job seemed harder. … So, on a Fourth of July as troubled as any we’ve faced, we might appreciate Ben Franklin’s assessment of America beyond his own days. ... More

Classic Covers: The Fourth of July Throughout the Decades

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Artist Guernsey Moore did many turn-of-century covers (at the turn of the 20th century, not the 21st), and the June 30, 1900, issue appears to be our first Fourth of July cover. Using colonials as representative of the Fourth was popular before the days of fancy fireworks and Fourth of July parades, although firecrackers showed up early. ... More
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More Than a Flag

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It was proclaimed by President Wilson in 1916. It became official with an Act of Congress in 1949. It is “observed” today at all federal facilities. But Flag Day is not a federal holiday, which is unfortunate. ... More

Classic Covers: Old Glory

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Uncle Sam makes an appearance with the U.S. flag on the July 13, 1901, cover, staking the flag into Britain with steel bars, representing the expansion of “metallurgic establishments” by one J. P. Morgan into that country. That simple black and white effort by artist George Gibbs was only the beginning of Old Glory’s numerous appearances on the cover. ... More

National Humor Month

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Any month that kicks off with a day dedicated to practical jokes is bound to be bursting with laughter and smiles. The calendar reserves most other months of the year to raise awareness to various illnesses and diseases, which is why I’m particularly fond of April. It’s National Humor Month; it’s time to laugh; it’s ... More

Easter Madness

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Come Sunday, April 12, 2009, Easter takes Manhattan as hundreds crowd the famed Fifth Avenue in New York City for a parade unlike any other. From whimsical costumes to haute couture, New Yorkers strut the streets in what may appear as a fashion-driven frenzy. The history of the parade dates back to the mid-1800s, when ... More

April Fool’s

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April Fool’s is celebrated in many countries around the world, with roots dating back to 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII ordered the adoption of a new calendar. On the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Day occurred on January 1st, rather than April 1st—the date previously hailed as New Year’s Day by the older Julian calendar. The ... More
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Day

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Day

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I don’t know about yours, but my calendar is filling up quick with whimsical holidays, ranging from Cheese Day to Merry-Go-Round Day to Fly a Kite Day. And while all those are important for living well, the following one really struck my fancy. To celebrate the birthday of the late Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers), March ... More

The Single Life

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Poor Edna. Not only does this 1936 ad call her “pathetic”, it tells her quite bluntly the reason for her desperate single status is (gasp!) bad breath. One only hopes that she reads this ad before her birthday does creep toward “that tragic thirty-mark”. Makes you want to hang your head and cry with her, ... More

Toy Maker

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This holiday season, millions of children will soon open presents containing the latest computer chip-operated gadgets and gizmos, but lucky children in the Finger Lakes region of New York will be thrilled to find timeless classics under the tree—wooden toys. Woodworking has been a lifelong hobby for 81-year-old Norman Riley. But it wasn’t until he ... More
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