Nova Barela

A Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights and ornaments is an essential holiday decoration. It uplifts the spirits of people during the winter and carries the refreshing scents of pine cones and spruce. However, where did this tradition of bringing giant trees into our homes and decorating them come from? Long before Christmas trees became an American custom, ancient societies worldwide brought evergreens into their homes because of their beliefs about harsh winters.

For eight days during the cold winter months, people who practice Judaism gather together to eat delicious food, sing lively songs, play exciting games and, most importantly, light candles on the menorah. These are some of the traditional activities that mark Hanukkah, a Jewish celebration of the rededication of Jerusalem’s Holy Temple.

Over the years, quite a few ableist myths have cropped up around Helen Keller’s life. After contracting an illness, likely meningitis or scarlet fever, at about two years old, Keller lived most of her life as a deaf-blind person. Later on, she would become a renowned author and activist.