What Holidays Have Lost Their Meaning?
Vote up the holidays that have most lost their meanings even among people who celebrate.
Any time a major holiday rolls around – whether it be religious, federal, secular, or some combination of the three – a chorus of voices arises condemning the ways in which the day has strayed from its intended purpose. For some, religious holidays lose their meaning as they become more secularized, becoming, at best, diluted versions of themselves and, at worst, blasphemous varietals of what are meant to be holy days. In the case of federal holidays, sometimes what might be intended as a somber day of reflection becomes a day of revelry.
But what holidays have most lost their meaning? Which ones have strayed the furthest from their intent in the way that people practice or celebrate them?
- 1
St. Patrick's Day
From Wikipedia: "Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland."
From Wikipedia: "Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country."
From Wikipedia: "Easter, also called Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary."
- 4
Presidents' Day
From Wikipedia: "Washington's Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. Colloquially, the day is also now widely known as Presidents' Day, and is often an occasion to honor the incumbent president and all persons who have served as president, not just George Washington."
- 5
Christmas
From Wikipedia: "Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world."
From Wikipedia: "Memorial Day or Decoration Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces."