Category: North America

Christmas is just around the corner, and everyone is excited for Santa to bring presents to good little girls and boys around the world! The tradition of a jolly old man bringing presents is ancient. But gifts weren’t always brought on December 25; for many years and in many places, gifts were brought on St. Nicholas Day, December 6.

In honor of the fun tradition, let’s take a look at the man behind one of the world’s happiest traditions.

Myra, Turkey

Nicholas was born around March 15, 270, in Patara, present-day Turkey, when it was part of the Roman Empire. He moved to the nearby town Myra, and became the bishop presiding over the Christian church there.

St. Nicholas was buried in Myra, but later his bones were moved to Italy. Nonetheless, faithful pilgrims gather in Myra to pay tribute to the saint of seafarers, children, and prostitutes.

The city’s history goes back thousands of years, as can be seen in the magnificent ancient theater, remains of statues and carvings, and relics left behind from Greek, Roman, early Christian, and Islamic residents.

In 2006, the town was renamed Demre, but it still is often referred to Myra, largely due to the fame Saint Nicholas brought to the area.

Nicaea, Turkey

Nicholas grew up to be a Bishop in the early Christian Church, and participated in the great theological debates of the day, including the First Council of Nicaea. He was one of the bishops who signed the Nicaean Creed, a defining creed of mainstream Christianity.

In the 4th Century AD, Nicaea was a major administrative center for the area of the Roman Empire, and between the western and eastern sects of the early Christian Church. It worked as a location for an important discussion within the Empire and the Church.

Over the centuries the city fell into disrepair, but its role in the establishment of current Christian doctrine has always ensured a constant stream of tourists and pilgrims through the years.

Basilica of San Nicola, Bari, Italy

The remains of Saint Nicholas were originally interred in a church in Myra, but the city went into decline, and the church fell into disrepair. In 1087, sailors from the Italian city of Bari robbed the church of the bones and brought them to their church.

Because Bari is a major economic seafaring hub on the eastern coast of Italy, the community had deep ties to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of seafarers. While it amounted to grave robbery against a saint of God, the local church built the Basilica of Saint Nicholas to house the bones, which have been tested and proven to date to the time of Nicholas’ death.

On December 6, Saint Nicholas’ saint day, the priests lower a flask into the tomb and withdraw myrrh, which is reported to exude from the relics. Myrrh is a healing ointment, which is a perfect miracle from the saint of invalids and the sick.

© Bing Maps

Basilica of San Nicola

Saint Nicholas Church, Straslund, Germany

The cult of Saint Nicholas spread across Europe because of his tender acts to children, victims, and sailors, all vulnerable people. His popularity reached even northern Germany, in Straslund,

The church named in honor of Saint Nicholas was originally constructed in a modest fashion, but was expanded greatly over the years due in large part to the popularity of its patron saint. The church is now a Lutheran church, but is still important to sailors, and families, from all religions.

While Saint Nicholas has been a great patron of sailors, he is most famous as the saint who brings presents to good little kids. Many countries still have the tradition of Saint Nicholas leaving gifts for kids on his saint day, but he has morphed in cultural legend as Santa Claus, a jolly old man who brings gifts to people around the world on Christmas.

Santa Claus House, North Pole, Alaska

The final resting place for Saint Nicholas is in Italy, but Santa’s workshop has been at the North Pole for hundreds of years. In North Pole, Alaska, Santa’s House is open to the public for touring, gift shopping, and and other Christmas-related items.

Santa Claus Office, Finland

While Santa’s “house” is in Alaska, his “office” is in Finland, in the Arctic Circle. It’s a fun place for families to visit, meet Santa Claus, see the reindeer, and make some amazing Christmas memories for families that will be remembered forever! Happily, visiting the Santa land is free!

But it’s going to cost you to get there, or stay overnight. Because it’s in the Arctic Circle, it’s not remotely close to a major airport, so you need to take a bus, or plan to make the nine-plus hour trek in a car on your own.

But it’s worth it to meet Santa!

Knowing a little more about the man behind the happiest morning in the world helps parents and grown ups understand the true meaning of Christmas, and hopefully will help them make the morning a little more magical, and meaningful, for families around the world.

It’s hard to imagine today, but the United States we know and love today came about through several hard-fought battles and wars. And while we all learned about the Revolution and Civil War in school, the truth is more interesting and sometimes more complicated than what you may have been taught.

Yorktown

Interesting Fact: The American Revolution did not end the day General George Washington won the battle at Yorktown, Virginia.

The battle, siege and surrender at Yorktown is one of the most pivotal events on American soil, as it forced British troops to surrender to General George Washington and ending the American Revolution. The war did not end immediately after the surrender on October 19, 1781, but it did lead to the final agreement between leaders from both countries to cease all hostilities.

A portrait in the U.S. Capitol depicts the events of the surrender. The leader of the British troops, Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis feigned illness rather than surrender personally and sent his second in command. General George Washington, always focused on protocol and honors, refused to accept the surrender from a subordinate, and had his own second in command, Major General Benjamin Lincoln formally accept surrender.

Fort Sumter

Interesting Fact: The Battle of Fort Sumter did not lead to the secession of states from the Union; that had already started to occur several months before the official start of the Civil War.

The Civil War was fought over a host of issues, primarily the issue of states’ rights, including issue of slavery. Tensions between southern and northern states had been brewing for years and in late 1860, several southern states including South Carolina seceded from the United States of America and created their own government, including electing a president and enlisting a standing army.

On April 12, 1861, Confederate troops fired on Union troops stationed at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, and after 36 hours of bombardment, the Union forces surrendered and evacuated the island fort. It was the first military confrontation of a war that lasted four years and claimed up to 750,000 dead on both sides.

Appomattox Court House

Interesting Fact: The end of the Civil War did not take place in an actual court house, but in a town named Appomattox Court House. The house used for the surrender was owned by Wilmer McLean, who had moved to the town after the first major battle of the Civil War was fought on his farm in Mananas Junction, Virginia. The war started and ended on his property.

Nearly four years after the official start of the Civil War, a battle was fought at Appomattox Court House, the county seat of Appomattox County, Virginia. Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant pursued Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army and contained them in the small Virginia town. Without supplies and with dwindling troops, Lee had no choice but to surrender.

On April 9, 1861, Lee and Grant met at the McLean House in Appomattox Court House and worked out the terms of the surrender of Lee’s army. When news of Lee’s surrender reached other Confederate leaders, they too surrendered and brought the war to a close.

Little Big Horn: Custer’s Last Stand

Interesting Fact: The Battle at Little Big Horn was not the “last stand” of a massacred American army as many believe, but an an attack on a Native American gathering that resulted in a wholesale defeat by Federal troops.

As part of the ongoing effort to move Native Americans to reservations so territorial expansion expansion of the west could continue, the US Army fought a series of battle nicknamed the Indian Wars. Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his Calvary were working with other soldiers to remove Native Americans from land where gold had recently been discovered. A large gathering of Native Americans were at the Little Bighorn River for a religious festival. Both warriors and noncombatants were part of the group.

Hoping to ensure victory with a surprise attack, Custer ordered a daytime assault on the village on June 25, 1876. However, there were many more Indians capable of fighting than anticipated and they soon mounted effective defenses. Many troops escaped but those who did not, including Custer, were cornered on a hill, where, outnumbered significantly, they were all killed.

After the battle, reports portrayed the battle as a hostile and unprovoked attack by Native forces and led to an even stronger crackdown on Native Americans and increased the pace and intensity of forced relocations along the American frontier.

Pearl Harbor

Interesting Fact: Japanese airplanes, submarines and ships that attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, were part of a larger attempt by Japan to keep the US out of the war, including coordinated attacks in the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong and Singapore. However, the attempt backfired and war was declared the next day.

Early in the morning on Sunday, December 7, more than 350 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, the headquarters of the US Pacific Fleet. The planes sunk or damaged 16 ships, including the battleship the USS Arizona, which sunk so quickly that more than 1,100 of her crew were killed, going down with the ship. Three other battleships were sunk but successfully resurfaced and returned to service by the end of the war. Three and a half years later, the US dropped atomic bombs on Japan, forcing a conclusion to the Pacific theater of the war, and ending World War II on September 2, 1945.

The USS Arizona was turned into a living museum in 1962, and can be visited today at Pear Harbor, Hawaii. Surviving veterans of the attack can have their ashes laid to rest in the harbor.

So many battles and struggles took place on American soil, and it is important to remember the men and women who fought and died to ensure our way of life continues today.

It’s Thanksgiving in the United States, and just after turkey, pumpkin pie, and grandpa telling bad jokes, comes the tradition of watching NFL football games.

For nearly 100 years the Detroit Lions have played a game on Thanksgiving. Since 1966, the Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving as well. And in 2006, the NFL added a third game, played in prime time with different teams selected each year.

So, in order to learn more about the game, and maybe throw in a random fact during a timeout, let’s look at who will be taking the field today.

Ford Field, Detroit, MI

The Detroit Lions are one of the oldest teams in the league, and have been in Detroit since 1934. They moved to a new stadium, Ford Field, in 2002. Named after the Ford Motor Company, of course, the stadium can seat at least 70,000 football fans. It cost more than $500 million to build!

A unique stadium, Ford Field has a roof to keep out the cold Detroit winter, but also has huge skylights to allow for more natural light. In addition to NFL games, the stadium hosts college football bowl games, and the occasional college basketball game.

Jared Goff, Hidden Hills, CA

Jared Goff has been a successful quarterback his entire career, even taking the Los Angeles Rams to their first Super Bowl in nearly 20 years. In 2021, he was traded to the Lions, but he hasn’t sold his gorgeous LA-area mansion yet.

He’s earning about $25 million this year, so he can afford to keep the California home, which set him back nearly $5 million. It has 5,000 square feet, five bedrooms, a pool, of course, and more. Neighbors include Drake, multiple Kardashians, and The Weeknd!

Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

This year, the Lions are playing the Chicago Bears. At home, the Bears play at Soldier Field, in downtown Chicago. The Bears are one of the original NFL teams, and Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in use for NFL games.

Soldier Field first hosted the Bears in 1971, but has been around since 1924! Before then, the Bears played at Wrigley Field, but they have loved their new home, and even undertook massive renovations in 2002.

And it needed renovations. Originally, the stadium had plank seating! When demolition began immediately after a game in 2002, fans waited outside and took home individual seats and other items discarded for the renovations. Bears fans sure are dedicated, right?

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

The Dallas Cowboys aren’t the oldest team in the league, but they are among the most famous. The team was formed in 1960, and shortly after, began playing a regular Thanksgiving home game. Part of the reason they decided to have an annual game was because there wasn’t a lot else on TV to watch that day!

AT&T Stadium is relatively new, having been completed in 2009. It has a retractable roof, a massive high-definition television, and many other bells and whistles that people love, and sometimes, mock.

It holds 80,000 fans, making it one of the biggest stadiums in the NFL. But it’s not just used for the Cowboys; college football plays several games here each year, and even important high school football games take place here. In Texas, football is king.

Dak Prescott, Prosper, TX

Drafted in 2016 by the Cowboys, Dak quickly became the starting QB after Tony Romo was injured in the preseason. He rightfully earned a reputation as a star player, now ranking as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Dak lives in a gorgeous, 9,000 square foot mansion in Prosper, Texas, a small suburb of Dallas. The mansion set him back $3.3 million, and has seven acres of land, an indoor “sports simulation theater”, game room, outdoor pool, and his very own practice field!

Allegiant Stadium, Los Vegas, NV

The famed Oakland Raiders moved to Los Vegas in 2020, and now play in the Allegiant Stadium. On Thanksgiving, they’ll suit up in Texas to play the Cowboys.

Allegiant Stadium was built specifically for the Raiders, and cost $1.9 billion! It is home to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas football team, as well. Because the Raiders prefer to play on grass, and UNLV prefers to play on astroturf, the stadium has a unique design to have Bermuda grass for the NFL games, and turf for college games. The grass is actually on a roll-tray, so the entire field can be moved in or out as needed, kind of like a cabinet drawer.

When you have a budget of $1.9 billion, you can do anything, it seems.

Superdome, New Orleans, LA

The final game of the day will be played in New Orleans, between the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints. Now one of the most famous, or infamous, stadiums, the Superdome holds NFL games, NCAA basketball games, and college football bowl games as well.

It is famous for being the site of refuge for thousands of New Orleans residents who fled their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. They stayed there for days in squalid conditions, with no food, power, security, or place to sleep.

The stadium was entirely renovated before it reopened in 2006, and serves as a symbol that the city is strong, resilient, and dedicated to surviving, and thriving.

Football is part of the American tradition, and plays an important role in many Thanksgiving holidays. Games will play all day, starting with the Lions-Bears at 12:30 eastern, then the Cowboys-Raiders at 4:30, and finally the Saints-Bills game at 7:30. So no matter where you are when you want to watch a bunch of guys throw an oddly-shaped ball, you’ll be able to get your fill of football.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s a wonderful town! And there’s no better time to visit than in November. You can catch the end of the gorgeous New England fall, with the leaves changing color, you can catch the start of winter as the season changes, and if you’re there over Thanksgiving, you can even watch the amazing spectacle that is the Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Or, you can just shop til you drop in the thousands of stores the city has to offer.

No matter what, your time in NYC will be well-spent!

Statue of Liberty

A gift from France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of freedom, acceptance and the open arms of the United States. She stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, welcoming all who come into the city. Visitors can climb the 300 foot statue, take in her beauty from the base on the island, or get a great view from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan.

Times Square

Times Square is one of the most vibrant places on Earth, especially at night. It has been a center of theater activity for over a hundred years, and after a span where the area struggled with crime and adult themed shops, it has cleaned up its image and become the heart of the city. In addition to fun shops and shows, it’s the center of the world on New Year’s Eve, when the ball drops in Times Square.

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a complex of nearly two dozen buildings in downtown New York that houses much of NBC’s New York operations, as well as many other businesses and corporations. Tourists love to gather outside in the early morning to watch live tapings of the Today Show, and enjoy the Christmas decorations and go ice skating at the Lower Plaza in the winter.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn was completed in 1883, and is an architectural masterpiece in the New York City skyline. It was constructed largely by manual labor, where men risked their health and lives to build the bridge. The bridge is open to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and people love to stroll across the bridge, especially on a sunny day.

Woolworth Building

When the Woolworth Building was built in 1913, it was the tallest building in the world. When it opened, President Wilson flipped a switch and lit up the building with over 8,000 light bulbs, an engineering marvel at the time. Avant-garde in architecture and design, the building has an elevator decorated with Tiffany glass and cast iron. Visitors can enjoy the unique building from outside and the lobby, but because the building is now owned by private corporations, guests cannot tour the other floors.

Irish Hunger Memorial

In the 1840s, Ireland suffered from a dramatic and extended famine where nearly two million people died or left the country in search of better lives. A large portion moved to New York City, and it had a significant impact on the city’s culture and demographics. In the north end of Battery Park is a half acre memorial that includes an authentic 19th century cottage donated from a village in Ireland. It honors both the Irish who came to the city and those who died in the home country.

High Bridge Aqueduct

Aqueducts have been used for thousands of years to efficiently move water. The Croton Aqueduct system brought water to New York City, and where it crossed the Harlem River, the city constructed the High Bridge Aqueduct. It was used for about 100 years before being closed. In 2015, it was reopened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, connecting High Bridge Parks in the Bronx and Manhattan and providing a wonderful outdoor resource for the city.

White Horse Tavern

New York is not short on great places to eat and sites full of cultural importance, but the White Horse Tavern combines the two. Operating since the 1800s, the West Village establishment became famous as a gathering place for writers, poets and bohemians in the 1950s. Famous artists including Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan, Norman Mailer, Hunter S. Thompson and even Jack Kerouac (though he was kicked out multiple times) met, drank and mused here. Come raise a glass in their memory, but bring cash since they don’t take credit cards.

What makes New York City great is that there is something for everyone, from the classic attractions to the out of the way memorials, from the big skyline to the small eateries. No matter your style, interests, or budget, you’ll find something to take your breath away and somewhere to spend an amazing day in New York City.

After an unusual playoffs in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, baseball is back and the post-season is a crazy one!

The Yankees and the Red Sox, the 2020 World Champions Dodgers, and more were all in contention for the title of World Champions for 2021! Let’s take a look at some of the teams who made it to this season’s playoffs.

Dodger Stadium Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Dodgers, 2020 World Series Champions, play at Dodger Stadium, and have been there since 1952, making it one of the oldest stadiums in use in major league baseball. The Dodgers started out in Brooklyn, but a disagreement about a new stadium led to the franchise moving across country to LA, where they have been ever since.

Nicknamed “Blue Heaven on Earth”, the stadium has a reputation as a “pitcher’s park” meaning it’s great for no-hitters and perfect games. It is the largest-capacity stadium in the MLB, and is a fun stadium to attend because of LA’s good weather.

So far, it’s been a great place for the Dodgers, as they’re playing against the Atlanta Braves for the National League Championship.

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

The Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020, and just like the Dodgers, the Rays made it back to the playoffs, but they lost in the first round against Boston. Tampa was awarded an expansion team in 1995, and the Rays started playing in 1998. They have made it to the playoff several times, and gotten to the World Series twice!

Tropicana Field is unique in that it’s the only stadium with a roof that doesn’t retract, and it’s the smallest stadium in the league, holding about 43,000 fans. The stadium is older than the team. It was built to help attract a baseball team. Things worked out for Tampa, and with one of the best records in the league, this could be their year!

Fenway Park, Boston, MA

Possibly the most storied venue in all of sports, Fenway Park in Boston has been home to Boston’s Red Sox since 1912. Despite being one of the smallest stadiums, Fenway Park has one of the best atmospheres in all of baseball. The fans are dedicated, the game is up close and personal, and with features like the Green Monster in left field, it feels familiar even to first-time attendees.

The Red Sox have been playing ball since 1901, have played in 13 World Series, and won nine. The 86-year “Curse of the Bambino” was broken in 2004, and they’ve won three more championships since then.

Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco Giants started out as the New York Gothams, but moved to the west coast in 1958. They have some of the best records in the league, playing 20 times in World Series, winning more games than any other team (due to having been around since 1893), and winning the Championship eight times.

This year, they played against the defending World Champions the Dodgers, and lost in what was likely one of the most evenly matched series in years.

The Giants have played in several stadiums, and currently play in Oracle Park, right on the Bay, giving it a gorgeous, view. It may be chilly like Candlestick Park, but it’s not as windy. Engineers worked hard to reduce the wind exposure in the stadium, making it about half as windy as “The Stick”.

Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL

While the name isn’t that impressive, Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side of Chicago is home to the White Sox, who have a great record this year. The White Sox, one of the oldest teams in the entire MLB, and one of the original teams in the American League, went 87 years between World Series wins, second only to the Chicago Cubs, who went more than 100 years before championships!

While we know they won’t be contending for the World Series this year after losing their against the Astros, they have a lot of potential and will be sure to come back swinging next year.

The White Sox played in Comiskey Park from 1910-1991, when they upgraded to their current location, built across the street from the old field. The new ballpark pays tribute to the old one in many ways, including arched windows in the front facade, an “exploding scoreboard” fitted with fireworks to celebrate home runs and wins.

As the postseason heats up, fans are paying closer attention to the games, and now even if you can’t talk balls, strikes, and pitching averages, you can throw out some useful commentary on where the teams are playing and how they’ve done in the past.

Play ball!