On May 11, 2025, most Americans will celebrate Mother’s Day. The beloved tradition is credited to Anna Jarvis, a teacher from Philadelphia. She wanted to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their families. The first celebration took place in 1908 at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. It was such a success that Jarvis launched a campaign to make Mother's Day a national holiday....

On March 29, 2025, the New York Yankees set a franchise record by hitting nine home runs in a single game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Only two other teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) history have ever hit nine or more home runs in one game. The Yankees' incredible performance is partially being credited to the so-called "torpedo bat."...

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis died in the early hours of April 21, 2025. The 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church suffered a stroke and heart failure. The pope had faced several health challenges in the past few years. Most recently, he was hospitalized for five weeks with double pneumonia. Fittingly, his final public address came on Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025), one of the most sacred days in the Christian faith....

Passover, or "Pesach" in Hebrew, is one of the most important Jewish holidays. It celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The holiday lasts for seven or eight days and usually occurs in March or April. In 2025, Passover will be observed from April 12 to April 20....

Easter, which will be observed on April 20, 2025, is the oldest and most important of all Christian festivals. The holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many adults in the US observe it by attending special church services. Some also fast or give up certain foods or habits for 40 days leading up to Easter. For American kids, the holiday centers around egg hunts, parades, and the Easter Bunny. But not all countries follow these traditions. Here are a few unique Easter celebrations from around the world....

Spanish archeologists have recovered a largely intact shipwreck dating back nearly 2,600 years. The 27-foot (8 m) long trading vessel was carrying lead ingots to an unknown destination when it sank off the coast of Mazarrón, Spain. It remained hidden in the sand just six feet (1.8 m) below the ocean surface until divers finally found it in 1994....

Ready, set, run — the reindeer are right behind you! The Running of the Reindeer race in Anchorage, Alaska, is a high-energy dash where thrill-seekers sprint through the streets with real reindeer chasing them. Inspired by Spain’s Running of the Bulls, this annual event adds an Alaskan twist and is much safer....

A day before his 37th birthday, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers. The milestone shot came in the third quarter on March 13, 2025, during a game at San Francisco's Chase Center against the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors went on to win, 130-104, in front of a roaring home crowd....

A Flamin' Hot Cheeto resembling Charizard, the iconic, dragon-like Pokémon with wings, has sold for an astounding $87,840. The Fire/Flying-type Pokémon look-alike, named "Cheetozard," was listed for $250 by Goldin Auctions on February 10, 2025. After a bidding war that stretched into the early hours of March 2, 2025, it sold for $72,000 plus $15,840 in fees to an anonymous buyer. Cheetozard is now the most expensive food item ever sold by Goldin....

The NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball championships are among the most widely watched collegiate sporting events in the United States. These games transform even casual basketball fans into loyal supporters of teams they may have never followed before. Here is everything you need to know about what is popularly known as "March Madness."...

St. Patrick's Day, celebrated annually on March 17, is a lively holiday that honors the most famous of Ireland's three patron saints. Though widely known for its parades, shamrocks, and everything green, the day's roots are steeped in history....

Focaccia bread is often credited to the ancient Romans, who baked it about 2,000 years ago. However, new research suggests Neolithic communities were making their own version of the delicious bread as far back as 9,000 years ago....

Ramadan is the ninth and most sacred month in the Islamic lunar calendar. During this month, archangel Jibril revealed the first five verses of the Quran — Islam's holy text — to Prophet Muhammad. The start of the holy month is determined by the appearance of the new crescent moon. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin at sundown on or around February 28, 2025....

An observant worker at Dewars Farm Quarry in England has helped uncover hundreds of dinosaur footprints. The fossils date back to the Middle Jurassic period (around 166 million years ago). They belong to some of the United Kingdom's largest dinosaurs and offer new insights into their movement patterns....

The Goodyear Blimp is turning 100! On June 3, 2025, the iconic airship will celebrate a century since the first flight of its branded blimp, Pilgrim. This special birthday will be marked with exciting events all year long. They include flyovers in 100 cities across North America and Europe and appearances at cultural events. Three lucky fans, selected by lottery, will also get the rare chance to fly aboard one of the four blimps currently in use....

Plastic pollution is one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. A large portion of the 400 million tons of plastic produced annually ends up in landfills or the ocean. Unlike organic waste, plastic never decomposes. Instead, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics. These particles contaminate water, soil, and air, harming marine life, livestock, and even humans....

Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, is observed worldwide, but not always in the same way. While many in the US exchange candy, flowers, and gifts, other countries have their own unique traditions. Some even celebrate on a completely different date. Here are some interesting Valentine's Day customs from around the world....

On February 9, 2025, over 200 million Americans will tune in to see defending champions Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League's (NFL) championship game. With the Chiefs aiming for a historic third consecutive title, Super Bowl LIX promises to be thrilling. But Super Bowl Sunday is about more than football....

Every year on February 2, thousands of people gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, for one of the most unique US traditions — Groundhog Day. At the heart of the event is Punxsutawney Phil, the famous weather-predicting groundhog. According to custom, if Phil sees his shadow, winter will last six more weeks. If he does not, spring will arrive early....

On January 29, 2025, over two billion people worldwide will celebrate the Lunar New Year. Also known as the Chinese New Year, the ancient festival lasts two weeks and is China's biggest holiday. Most businesses are closed for at least seven days. This allows millions of city dwellers to visit family and friends. The festival travel rush is known as Chunyun. It is the world's largest seasonal human migration....

Claudia Steffensen and her husband were hiking in Lombardy, Italy, in 2023 when she stepped on what appeared to be a block of cement. A closer examination revealed curvy lines that looked like footprints....

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. He is only the second President to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in 1893. At 78 years and seven months old, Mr. Trump is also the oldest president. He surpassed former President Joe Biden, who was 78 years and two months old when he took office in 2021....

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed annually on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of the American civil rights leader. The federal holiday, which falls on January 20 this year, is designated as a national day of service. It encourages Americans to volunteer and help improve their communities....

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024. The former American leader, who turned 100 on October 1, 2024, was the longest-living president in US history. Mr. Carter will be laid to rest at the family's residence on January 9, 2025. He will be buried alongside his wife, Rosalynn, who died in 2023 at age 96. In his honor, President Joe Biden has declared January 9 a federal holiday....