12-07-2012, 03:34 PM
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Randwyck
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Newburgh, IN
Posts: 1,492
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GenuineRisk
Because it's a legal secular holiday in the eyes of the gov't, proposed by Congress and signed into law by Ulysses S Grant:
Fun facts, Oklahoma was the last state to recognize Christmas as a holiday, in 1907. Alabama was the first, in 1836.
While the majority of Americans are Christian and celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, in the eyes of the US government it is, technically a secular national holiday for reflecting on the philosophy of "good will towards men."
So, really, when you wish someone "Happy Holidays" you're actually acknowledging the religious holidays this time of year, while "Merry Christmas" can be taken as a secular greeting, much in the way "Happy 4th of July" or "Happy Thanksgiving" is. Don't tell the Religious Right.  |
Interesting since Oklahoma didn't become a state until late in 1907
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