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Columbus Day Sprang From Violence
History of Columbus Day
Is a Violent One
the rundown
Oct 11, 2021 9:45 AM CDT

History of Columbus Day Is a Violent One

President Harrison acted after a mob killed Italian immigrants in New Orleans

(Newser) - Monday is Columbus Day, though the term "politically fraught" is a common one used these days to describe the federal holiday. A look at its history, as well as views from supporters and critics:
  • Going away? Many states and municipalities have either ditched Columbus Day and replaced it with
...

Federal Employees Getting a Long Weekend, Quickly

Designation of Juneteenth means most federal workers are off this Friday

(Newser) - The designation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday commemorates a monumental moment in US history, but it also translates into something tangible almost immediately for federal employees—a day off on Friday. Because June 19 falls on a Saturday this year, most federal workers will get Friday off instead, reports...

Top COVID Official Didn't Quite Take Her Own Advice

Deborah Birx travels with family to Delaware

(Newser) - Deborah Birx tells Americans to "be vigilant" and celebrate only with "your immediate household" over the holidays, but many struggle to take that advice—including Birx herself, the AP reports. Birx, who coordinates the White House coronavirus response, visited a vacation home in Delaware last month with three...

Controversial First Christmas Card Is Now Up for Grabs

People making merry on the 1843 card irked Victorian-era teetotalers

(Newser) - The first commercially printed Christmas card is up for sale—a merry Victorian-era scene that scandalized some when it first appeared in 1843. The card, being sold online starting Friday through a consortium run by Marvin Getman, a Boston-based dealer in rare books and manuscripts, depicts an English family toasting...

White House Plans Parties Amid Warnings to Hunker Down

Melania Trump will host 'holiday reception,' with other parties to follow

(Newser) - Health officials have been issuing warnings against traveling and gathering for the holidays in the midst of a coronavirus surge across the US, but 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't seem fazed by the cautionary advice. Despite the White House's own issues with COVID-19 after an indoor election night party...

Mississippi Health Official Has a Stark Holiday Warning

Have big Thanksgiving dinners with loved ones, 'and then death,' Dobbs says amid COVID surge

(Newser) - Mississippi's top health official delivered dire news last week about the state's COVID-19 status, noting the "severe surge" that's been stressing its health care system, with very few beds left in ICUs around the state. "Our fall surge is going in very much the wrong...

Twitter CEO Announces New Company Holiday 'Forevermore'

Jack Dorsey says Twitter will make Juneteenth an official company holiday for US workers

(Newser) - As company after company puts out ads and sends out emails expressing their support for black Americans in the wake of the killing of George Floyd , Forbes notes that some, especially in the tech world, have been slammed for being all talk, no action. Twitter is looking to separate itself...

In Berlin, New May Holiday Sends 'Unmistakable Message'

City makes May 8 a public holiday to commemorate end of WWII, Nazi rule

(Newser) - The US and Britain recognize May 8 as a special date—and now Berlin is joining them, even going so far as to make it a public holiday. Victory in Europe Day commemorates May 8, 1945, the day when German troops surrendered to the Soviets, effectively ending World War II....

Trump Team: Here&#39;s How to Argue at Christmas
Trump Team
Posts Holiday
'Snowflake'
Website
the rundown
Dec 25, 2019 3:00 PM CST

Trump Team Posts Holiday 'Snowflake' Website

But media reports criticize snowflakevictory.com

(Newser) - Having a peaceful, family Christmas? President Trump's reelection campaign wants supporters ready in case "the family liberal" speaks up—and has a website packed with talking points for the ensuing debate, the Washington Post reports. Called Snowflakevictory.com , it offers sections like "There was no quid pro...

37 Years Later, a Reunion Between 2 of Our Favorite Stars

Xfinity ad starring E.T. and Henry Thomas, aka Elliott, aired during Thanksgiving Day parade

(Newser) - Some are calling it "heartwarming." . Others, like io9 , have a different take on the Xfinity ad that debuted during Thursday's Thanksgiving Day parade on NBC. "What you're looking at is [a] major corporation dipping into a considerable bag of tricks labeled 'Nostalgic Intellectual Property'...

The Annual &#39;Toys Causing Harm&#39; List Is Out
Nerf Gun Makes
Dreaded Annual List
Nov 19, 2019 12:24 PM CST

Nerf Gun Makes Dreaded Annual List

World Against Toys Causing Harm unveils its pre-Christmas warning

(Newser) - A Nerf dart gun, ice cream-scented Nickelodeon slime, and a plastic Power Rangers claw are among the toys topping a consumer safety group's list of worst toys for the holidays, the AP reports. World Against Toys Causing Harm unveiled its annual list Tuesday at a Boston children's hospital....

Family Told to Take Down Early Xmas Decorations

Neighbors put up theirs in solidarity

(Newser) - San Antonio mother Claudia Simonis is eight months pregnant—with a Dec. 25 due date—so the family decided to put out their Christmas decorations a little early this year. "I feel kind of heavy, so the earlier we can put out the decorations, the better. Because probably in...

65K Sign Petition to Change Date of Halloween

They ask Trump to shift it to last Saturday in October

(Newser) - It's late July, and a surprising number of people have Halloween on their minds. A petition asking President Trump to change the date of Halloween from Oct. 31 to the last Saturday in October, which falls on Oct. 26 this year, is gathering steam and now has more than...

Man Wakes From Coma, Goes Home to Celebrate Christmas

Caine's neighbors, family kept the holiday alive for him while he remained unconscious for 6 weeks

(Newser) - If you still have your holiday decorations up, you may not have a great excuse. But a famous street in San Diego has a very good one, and it's heartwarming to boot. The residents of Rancho Penasquitos' Ellingham Drive, aka "Christmas Card Lane," are renowned for their...

Shirtless Putin Takes Icy Dip in Russian Lake

Russian president immerses himself in ice water to celebrate Christian holiday of Epiphany

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin is baring his chest in public again . The Russian president took a dip in icy lake waters to celebrate Epiphany, a major holiday in Orthodox Christianity marking the baptism of Jesus. Russian television stations showed the 65-year-old Putin approaching a hole cut in the ice on Lake Seliger...

The Fingerling Is This Year's Must-Have Toy

The robotic monkey is hard to find on shelves or online

(Newser) - The hottest toy this holiday season might just be a five-inch robotic monkey that grabs onto your fingers, passes gas, and sings a tune. The Fingerling is this year's Beanie Baby or Cabbage Patch Doll. The $15 creature that blinks and snores is coveted by millions of kids, and...

Steve Bannon Declares New Holiday: 'MAGA Day'

From now on, Trump supporters will celebrate Nov. 8 as if it were Bastille Day, he says

(Newser) - Steve Bannon is a busy man these days, given the one-year anniversary of President Trump's election victory. Among the speeches and interviews he's given is a sit-down with the New York Times , in which he declares a new holiday of sorts. "We celebrated today in the Trump...

One State's Top Holiday Gift for 2017: Duct Tape

A look at what's projected to be the hottest gift in each state

(Newser) - Will the holiday season's biggest seller this year be an electronics item, a hot toy, or duct tape? Depends on which state you live in, per a 24/7 Wall St. analysis. The site checked out both the most popular gift items on Amazon.com and projected Google keyword searches...

No One Liked Paul Ryan&#39;s St. Paddy&#39;s Day Pint
No One Liked
Paul Ryan's
St. Paddy's
Day Pint
THE RUNDOWN
Mar 17, 2017 12:08 PM CDT

No One Liked Paul Ryan's St. Paddy's Day Pint

And other St. Patrick's Day minutiae from around the internet

(Newser) - Everyone is said to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day, and even though he hails from Scottish roots, President Trump got into the spirit a day early. Per the Washington Post , Trump hosted Irish PM Enda Kenny at the White House Thursday, and the president celebrated the spirit of...

Odd V-Day Gifts From Around the World
Don't Waste Money on an
Aphrodisiac This V-Day
RUNDOWN
Feb 14, 2017 7:33 AM CST

Don't Waste Money on an Aphrodisiac This V-Day

Carve a wooden spoon instead?

(Newser) - Stumped about what to get your sweetie for Valentine's Day? Do like the Welsh. For 350 years, Welsh men have been known to carve an intricate wooden spoon for their lover, according to Giftcloud . Not one to whittle? You can also take inspiration from Germans, who exchange gifts that...

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