• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar

New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

  • Email
  • RSS
  • Adirondacks & NNY
  • Capital-Saratoga
  • Mohawk Valley
  • Hudson Valley & Catskills
  • NYC & Long Island
  • Western NY
  • History
  • Nature & Environment
  • Arts & Culture
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Food & Farms
  • Subscribe
  • Support
  • Submit
  • About
  • New Books
  • Events
  • Podcasts

Holidays

A Dutch Holiday Traditions Podcast

December 21, 2022 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

crossroads of rockland historyOn the December 2022 Crossroads of Rockland History, Jennifer Brooks, Public Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Historical Society of Rockland County, joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss Dutch Holiday Traditions.

They traced the line between the traditions of early Dutch settlers in Rockland County and surrounding areas to the growth of our modern American Christmas and explored the history behind our holiday traditions. Where did they come from? Who is Saint Nicholas, and how did he become Santa Claus? Why is the December season known for gift-giving and charity? What’s with the tree and the chimney? And what does any of this have to do with religion? [Read more…] about A Dutch Holiday Traditions Podcast

Filed Under: Food, History, New York City Tagged With: Christmas, Cultural History, Historical Society of Rockland County, Holidays, New Netherland, Podcasts, Rockland County

Turkey Day History: The Two Thanksgivings of 1871

November 23, 2022 by Herb Hallas 6 Comments

1871 turkey plucking harpersFor about a week in 1871, New Yorkers were in a quandary about Thanksgiving. On October 25, New York Governor John T. Hoffman designated Thursday, November 23 as Thanksgiving Day for the state.

In his Thanksgiving Day proclamation, the Tammany Hall Democrat urged New Yorkers to spend time on that day to declare “their gratitude to God for all his mercies” and to “remember especially the poor.” [Read more…] about Turkey Day History: The Two Thanksgivings of 1871

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Food, History, New York City Tagged With: Abe Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Cultural History, Holidays, John Hoffman, Political History, Thanksgiving, Turkeys, Ulysses S Grant

Talkin’ Turkey: 19th Century Thanksgiving Newspaper Reports

November 23, 2022 by Maury Thompson 2 Comments

A 19th century Thanksgiving postcard“Let us talk about turkey,” proclaimed a New York Tribune humor column republished Nov.23, 1888 in The Granville Sentinel. Not Turkey in Europe, nor yet Turkey in Asia. But turkey in America – the esteemed bird that goes so well with cranberry sauce.”

The bald eagle, national bird of the United States, gets prominent attention for months at a time once every four years, when there is a presidential election, but the turkey is heralded every year, the columnist quipped. [Read more…] about Talkin’ Turkey: 19th Century Thanksgiving Newspaper Reports

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Food, History Tagged With: Holidays, Thanksgiving, Turkeys

Revolutionary Thanks: America’s First National Thanksgiving Holiday

November 23, 2022 by Sean Kelleher 1 Comment

Thanksgiving Holiday PostcardAmerica’s first national Thanksgiving holiday was declared by the Continental Congress to commemorate the victory of the American army of General Horatio Gates over British forces commanded by General John Burgoyne in Saratoga, New York on October 17, 1777.

The triumph at Saratoga, America’s turning point in the eight-year War of Independence was the first time in world history an entire British army had been captured. What’s more, the victory reversed a long string of humiliating defeats for the 13 rebellious colonies, including the loss of the revolutionary capital in Philadelphia. [Read more…] about Revolutionary Thanks: America’s First National Thanksgiving Holiday

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Food, History Tagged With: American Revolution, Cultural History, George Washington, Holidays, Thanksgiving

Recycling Electronics This Holiday Season

December 24, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

electronics reclyingMany will give or receive new electronic equipment this holiday season. As you switch out of the old and welcome the new, remember to recycle your old electronics responsibly.

Examples of common electronic equipment that must be recycled: [Read more…] about Recycling Electronics This Holiday Season

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: environment, Holidays, pollution, Recycling, solid waste

Holiday Gift Ideas for Anglers

December 16, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Christmas lights at sunset.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) polled their Fisheries staff across the state for their recommendations for non-traditional holiday gifts for anglers and received a bunch of great ideas.

Here are some of them: [Read more…] about Holiday Gift Ideas for Anglers

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation Tagged With: Christmas, DEC, fishing, Gift Ideas, Holidays

A Guide to Green Gift Giving and Decorating

December 8, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

green gift givingThis is the perfect time of the year to add the environment to your gift giving list and implement simple holiday habit changes.

Here is a guide to “green” gift giving and decorating: [Read more…] about A Guide to Green Gift Giving and Decorating

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: Christmas, DEC, environment, Holidays, nature, Recycling

Yule Logs: Some History & Science

December 4, 2021 by Paul Hetzler 1 Comment

A 19th century painting by Robert Alexander Hillingford showing the Christmas tradition of preparing the Yule log at Hever Castle, Kent, EnglandThe tradition of burning a Yule log has largely fizzled out in most parts of the world. While holiday cards often feature cute, picturesque birch rounds in the hearth, old-time Yule logs in 6th and 7th century Europe were monster tree trunks that were meant to burn all day, and in certain cultures for twelve continuous days, without being entirely used up.

Apparently, if you didn’t have a leftover bit of this log remaining after the marathon burn, you were doomed to misfortune in the upcoming year. The remnant piece of charred wood was tucked away in the ceiling and was used to light the following year’s Yule log. I assume it was extinguished before being squirreled away in the rafters or some really bad luck would ensue. [Read more…] about Yule Logs: Some History & Science

Filed Under: History, Nature Tagged With: Christmas, energy, Forestry, Holidays

Balsam Fir: A Native New York Christmas Tree

December 4, 2021 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

Ballsam Fir cone courtesy Wikimedia Cephas Every year my husband and I cut a Christmas tree on family land. We look for a young balsam fir growing in the power line right-of-way or in a forest clearing.

Fir is our favorite type of Christmas tree because of its delightful, pungent fragrance. While Christmas tree farmers cultivate a variety of fir species, balsam fir is the only type of fir native to Northern New York. [Read more…] about Balsam Fir: A Native New York Christmas Tree

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: Christmas, Forestry, Holidays, nature, trees, Wildlife

Recycling Electronics This Holiday Season

December 30, 2020 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

holiday recyclingWith holiday cheer and gifts galore, many will give or receive new electronic equipment. As you switch out of the old and welcome the new, remember to recycle your old electronics responsibly. [Read more…] about Recycling Electronics This Holiday Season

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Nature, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: Christmas, Holidays, Recycling, solid waste

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 6
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Help Support The Almanack

Subscribe to New York Almanack

Subscribe! Follow the New York Almanack each day via E-mail, RSS, Twitter or Facebook updates.

Recent Comments

  • Lisa Nevins on Westchester County’s Katharine Harrison, Accused Witch
  • Nancy Begley Pennell on Irish Immigrant, Medal of Honor Winner Terrence Begley Being Honored in Albany
  • arc skuta on MicroHistory and Migration: From Moltrasio to London, New York and Montreal
  • Nancy Robinson on Former Saratoga and North Creek Railway Purchased
  • Bernard McCann on Zoar Valley Improvements Update
  • Arlene Steinberg on Record Broken for Oldest Bear Hunter
  • Pam Malcolm on Raines Law, Loopholes and Prohibition
  • Ron Crawfordi on Raines Law, Loopholes and Prohibition
  • Don S on Rangers Make 16-Hour Adirondack Rescue in Deep Snow
  • Gene Porter on 19th Century Northern NY Railroad News

Recent New York Books

The Motorcycle Industry in New York State
Unfriendly to Liberty
weeds of the northeast
Putting Out the Planetary Fire: An Introduction to Climate Action and Advocacy
Seneca Ray Stoddard An Intimate Portrait of an Adirondack Legend
rebels at sea
The Great New York Fire of 1776
politics of trash
Indivisible
Virginia Venture Misha Ewen

Secondary Sidebar

Mohawk Valley Trading Company Honey, Honey Comb, Buckwheat Honey, Beeswax Candles, Maple Syrup, Maple Sugar
preservation league