11/1/2003
Why Thanksgiving didn't become a federal holiday until 1941; how the bald eagle became the national bird.
11/8/2003
The world's largest collection of Hanukkah lamps; potato pancakes and doughnuts; the spinning dreidel.
11/15/2003
How the Christmas tree got indoors; what the First Lady does for the holidays; how department stores create their magical windows.
11/20/2003
Why the New Year begins on January 1; how noise keeps evil spirits away; why caviar is acceptable to eat on New Year's Eve but not New Year's Day.
11/23/2003
A tour of Harlem, N.Y., and the Apollo Theater on amateur night; Abyssinian Church; down-home recipes.
11/27/2003
Celebrating Chinese New Year; importance of cleaning the house before the New Year; Kitchen God; dumplings; Lion Dance.
12/4/2003
Whether there really was a St. Valentine; how the Egyptians felt about love; the best places to find a Valentine.
12/11/2003
Shrovetide; the Reveler's Ball begins the season of Carnival in New Orleans; the society of the Krewe of Comus; pecan pralines.
12/18/2003
The Jewish holiday of Passover celebrates the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt; Hassidic community; scribe; matzah.
12/25/2003
Decorating eggs for Easter; Easter eggs created for the Czars of Russia; Fifth Avenue on Easter Sunday.
1/1/2004
A trip to Boston, where the American Revolution began; the site where the Declaration of Independence was first read to Boston citizens.
1/8/2004
The Muslim celebration of Ramadan; fasting; the art of henna designs; mosques.
1/15/2004
How ancient celebrations evolved and changed from their traditional forms once America became free.