Celebration

A pilgrim arrives on his knees at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City during the annual celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint, on December 12th, 2018. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make the trip to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe each year for the feast day.

A pilgrim arrives on his knees at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City during the annual celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint, on December 12th, 2018.

By Pacific Standard Staff

President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Karen Pence attend a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House on December 6th, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Karen Pence attend a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House on December 6th, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

By Pacific Standard Staff

Revelers parade through the streets of Lewes in East Sussex, southern England, on November 5th, 2018, during traditional Bonfire Night celebrations. Thousands of people attended the annual parade through the narrow streets until the evening came to an end with the burning of an effigy or "guy," usually representing Guy Fawkes, who died in 1605 after an unsuccessful attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

Revelers parade through the streets of Lewes in East Sussex, southern England, on November 5th, 2018, during traditional Bonfire Night celebrations.

By Pacific Standard Staff

People walk in front of the Brandenburg Gate, decorated with a photo collage by the French street artist and photographer known as JR for German Unity Day, on October 3rd, 2018, in Berlin, Germany. The national holiday celebrates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.

The national holiday celebrates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.

By Pacific Standard Staff

A Bangladeshi child lights a candle to mark International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples in Dhaka on August 8th, 2018. International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples takes place on August 9th to promote and protect the rights of indigenous communities and cultures.

A Bangladeshi child lights a candle to mark International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples in Dhaka on August 8th, 2018.

By Pacific Standard Staff

Israelis march in Jerusalem on May 13th, 2018, as they celebrate Jerusalem Day.

Israelis march in Jerusalem on May 13th, 2018, as they celebrate Jerusalem Day.

By Pacific Standard Staff

People fly kites during the 32nd International Kite Festival at the beach of Berck-sur-Mer, northern France, on April 18th, 2018. The festival takes place until April 22nd, 2018.

People fly kites during the 32nd International Kite Festival at the beach of Berck-sur-Mer, northern France, on April 18th, 2018.

By Pacific Standard Staff

A costumed reveler takes part in the Correfoc festival in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on January 21st, 2018. During Correfoc, participants dress as demons and devils and move through the streets scaring people with fire and fireworks.

A costumed reveler takes part in the Correfoc festival in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on January 21st, 2018.

By Pacific Standard Staff

African Heritage Dancers dance to the African Heritage Drummers during a Kwanzaa celebration at the Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C. Kwanzaa is a pan-African holiday established in 1966 celebrating family, community, and culture through seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

African Heritage Dancers dance to the African Heritage Drummers during a Kwanzaa celebration at the Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C.

By Pacific Standard Staff

Children and families enjoy the houses on Franklin Road lit with Christmas lights on December 1st, 2017, in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the 24th year Franklin Road residents have decorated their houses with lights for the Christmas season.

Children and families enjoy the houses on Franklin Road lit with Christmas lights on December 1st, 2017, in Auckland, New Zealand.

By Pacific Standard Staff

Harare residents celebrate in the streets following the resignation of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe on November 21st, 2017. Mugabe, an autocrat who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence, agreed to step down a week after the military took control and moved to impeach him.

Harare residents celebrate in the streets following the resignation of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on November 21st, 2017.

By Pacific Standard Staff

christmas-tree

Can Christmas' pagan roots explain its increasing secularization today?

By Mike Mariani

independence-lead

While national identities are often used to separate people, a husband-and-wife Facebook photography project aims to build connections.

By Heather Layton & Brian Bailey

A depiction of the Nativity with a Christmas tree backdrop.

Yes. But if the Christmas culture warriors took an honest look at the history of this holiday in our country they may not like what they find.

By John Fea