Beginning this year's series on the history behind the holidays:

From now through the Spring or vernal equinox, most of the major secular
and sacred holidays are celebrated.  Many of the sacred holidays in our
American "Judeo-Christian" heritage have secular associations, as many
of the seemingly secular holidays actually have religious roots.

One example of the mixture of sacred and secular was that historically in
ancient Rome the death and resurrection of Attis, the god of vegetation,
was celebrated on March 24 and 25, corresponding to the vernal equinox.
Sir James Frazer in _The Golden Bough_ points out an interesting
coincidence.  Among certain Christians in places where the worship of
Attis was known, the death of Jesus Christ was also celebrated on March
25, though there was little historical evidence supporting that date.
A controversy is said to have raged between the pagan and Christian
advocates, each claiming that they had prior claim.

Many Americans, even religious ones, are unaware of the history behind
the holidays.  If you are interested in Halloween, and how trick or
treat became involved in it, you'll like this series on the history of
the holidays.  If you have ever wondered what the historical events are
behind Chanukah, stay tuned.  Was there a Christmas star, were there
really three wise men, was there actually an historical Santa Claus,
how about the Easter Bunny?  Yes Virginia, this is for you.  
This offer not available in stores.


                          Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian