Holidays Archives

Social Justice

Welcome to America, the Land That Vacation Forgot

Time off for being young? For working swing shift? With extra pay? Not only were U.S. vacation policies drafted by Ebenezer Scrooge before (a working-day) Christmas, but there are lots of time-off practices the Land of the Free missed entirely.

Michael Todd

Social Justice

Happy Memorial Day. Thank the Confederacy.

On the surprising origins of an official federal holiday that now marks the opening of summer in the United States.

Daniel Luzer

Economics

Want to Increase Retail Sales This Christmas? Keep It Simple (and Orange)

New research shows that simple scents can get customers in the buying spirit

Joel Smith

News in Brief

Presidents’ Day: Just Another Presidential Fable

A number of folk stories and a few divisive rumors have surrounded the office of the U.S. presidency, and skeptical folks like us check a few of them out.

Peter M. Nardi

Young Rudolph (right) and Hermey the Elf as seen in the 1964 television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Social Justice

All I Want for Christmas Is the Truth

Our resident skeptic takes a look at some of the mythologizing that has arisen around the West's winter holidays, from poison plants to phantom Der Bingles.

Peter M. Nardi

Economics

What Would Jesus Buy?

As retailers' "Black Friday" approaches, research shows that commerce and Christmas have a long history of coexistence, and the psychological effect may be generally positive.

Tom Jacobs

Social Justice

The Meaning of ‘Boo’

What happens when witches meet wonks? With Halloween approaching, Miller-McCune's skeleton staff digs up some facts about the haunted holiday.

Tom Jacobs