Today families around the world gathered around a Christmas tree to open gifts. This tradition seems as old as the holiday itself, but in reality these practicesand many othersare relatively new inventions. And Charles Dickens can be credited with introducing or popularizing some of our favorite elements of the Christmas holiday
This holiday season, many of us will be traveling to see family and loved ones. Perhaps you're heading to a warmer locale, where you can thaw out for a bit, or maybe you're going north to enjoy a white Christmas. Either way, these holiday travels can turn into unexpected, er, adventures. As you prepare for your own expeditions, draw some inspiration from these fearless explorers and survivalists.
Clement Clarke Moore forever changed our Christmas traditions with his iconic poem, A Visit from St Nicholas, now better known as The Night before Christmas. Thanks to Moore, Christmas became a more child-centered holiday, with gifts and goodies for the younger generation.
On December 7, 1933 the United States lifted its ban on James Joyce's Ulysses. Federal Judge John M. Woolsey presided over the Supreme Court case. After taking a month to read the book, Justice Woolsey said that the book was not only not obscene, but was also a work of literary merit.
