The Origin of Christmas Across Ancient Nations
The article notes Christmas as Jesus birth celebration accepted widely, tracing origins to Saturnalia and winter sun rituals in Rome Scandinavia Persia Phoenicia and other cultures. It describes pagan feasts around December 21 venerations of Odin Mithras Baal and the Yule log burning and mistletoe customs later blended with Christian rites under Roman and British influence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jesus
Julius I
Rome
Saturn
Odin
Woden
Thor
Mithr
Baal
Bel
Western
Europe
Roman Empire
Britain
England
Henry VI
Stephen
John
Christmas Day in 1862 on the Rappahannock recalled by a veteran
In a reflective memoir, a former private of the 14th Pennsylvania Volunteers revisits Christmas Day 1862 on the Rappahannock. He contrasts the harsh winter siege with dreams of home, church memories, and the lure of returning to civilian life. He debates which self remains when faced with war and faith, and imagines donning his old military jacket and sword again.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John R. Paxton
Pennsylvania Volunteers
Thorn
Bergt
Nelson
Wegg
Bebout
Stone
Jesus Christ
Rappshannock
Galtpeter
Richmond
John Brown
Rappahannook
Comme
Moore
MicManus
Paxton
Perrine
Pollock
H. Greeley
Ling
Bunker Hill
Cesar
Tenth Legion
Six Hundred
Bethlehem
Christ Born
Grant
Hancock
Gettyeburg
Harper's Weekly
Christmas Day on the Rappahannock in '62
In harsh winter on the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg, a Civil War Christmas memory unfolds. Contested by combatants, soldiers trade coffee sugar pork and parched corn with Confederate sentries, sharing meals and gifts across lines. The scene ends with a call for universal mercy, urging reconciliation and kindness at Christmas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gorl
Rappahannock
Fredericksburg
Tlello
Johnny
Yank
Bome Y Yankee
Tellacre
Ani
Johony
Bethlehem
Christ Chik
du Pot
Lazarus
A Lawyer’s Good Luck in Oil Venture
A former Harrisburg lawyer, penniless, draws up papers for an oil venture in return for a share. The well gushes. he sells his stake for 17000 dollars, and he and his wife flee to Philadelphia to escape poverty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia
Harrisburg
Milk Diet and Odd Rural Sports in a Far
A fragmented 19th century column extols milk as a sole diet for strength and even hints at curbing alcohol cravings with milk. It then veers to a quaint English horseback game called potato picking, where ponies and baskets compete to gather potatoes, followed by antiquated horse care chatter and a quip about drugs in horse management.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bose
Also Mentioned on This Page
Bala
the Rappahannock
Vane
Christmas
Rascal
Clneset
Bip Waller Seatte
Nevar
Tae
Popeert
Jake Sharp
Pers
Joseph Leslie
Globe Democcrat
Cathcart
Calhoun County
Florentine
Richard Butler
Grocer
State ST
Marshall
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!