Winter break is coming swiftly, so why not have some National days to celebrate during it? Happy December Scrollians!

Rosa Parks: the name should ring a bell to anyone who has studied civil rights, and American history in general. Rosa Parks is best known for her inspiring, strong will to fight for what is right, most notably by her refusal to give up her bus seat to a White man during the growing issue of segregation. 

Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1913. Both her grandparents had been formerly enslaved and, because of that, they were strong advocates for racial equality, which was clearly passed along to Parks. According to Biography, Parks experienced racial discrimination from a very early age, stating that she watched as her “grandfather Sylvester stood in front of their house with a shotgun while Ku Klux Klan members marched the street.” 

It was on Dec. 1, 1955 that Parks boarded the Cleveland Avenue bus where she took her seat in the “colored” portion of the bus. At the time, bus drivers held the responsibility of police officers in enforcing the Montgomery city code, which stated that all public transports be segregated. As the bus continued on its route, more and more White passengers began boarding to the extent that some White passengers were standing in the aisle. The bus driver began asking some Black passengers to move, which turned into a demand (lawfully, drivers were not given specific authority to do this). Three of the Black passengers complied, but Rosa Parks stood her ground and refused. Parks responded to the driver: “I don’t think I should have to stand up” and, because of this, he called the cops and had her arrested. 

Parks stated in reflection of the bus segregation incident, “I felt a determination cover my body like a quilt on a winter night.” Because of her determination and protest, she became known for the Montgomery bus boycott, which was a 13-month mass protest that ended with the US Supreme Court determining that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional, which was an important step forward for American civil rights.

This Dec. 1, take some time to admire Rosa Parks' strong will to stand up for what is right, and be inspired by her story. 

In Austria and Germany, a tradition directly contrasting the happiness of Saint Nicholas and Christmas emerged. Some sources claim its origin to be as far back as the sixth century, while others say the tradition started closer to the twelfth century.  Either way, it is clear that Krampusnacht has been around for centuries. Krampusnacht is no ordinary tradition. In fact, its history and purpose is quite frightening. Before one can understand the tradition, one must understand who or what Krampus represents.

Krampus is more of a Halloween-looking fright than a character built around Christmas. Even the “hater” of Christmas himself, the Grinch, has a light-hearted side, but this is not true for Krampus. The Standard gives Krampus this description: “a goat-like monster” who has “claws, horns and a long tongue.” Krampus is the direct contrast of Santa Claus; while Santa rewards kids, Krampus punishes them. The strange character is commonly made to look devilish, and History Defined explains that Krampus symbolizes “the onset of the dark nights, and the pressures of surviving in the cold,” which is a part of the dark purpose of Krampus. 

During the Middle Ages and early Modern period, carnivals and festivals in Austria and southern Germany would celebrate Krampusnacht on Dec. 5. Members of the town would dress up in frightening Krampus costumes and wander the town in what is known as the Krampus run.  Adults often participated in this part, sometimes chasing other people through the streets. The Krampuses would go to all the children considered “bad” and give them lumps of coal. Following them, Santa Claus would hand out presents to the “good” kids. The Standard explains that, in some forms of the tradition, the kids would leave a boot outside of their bedroom door and, in the morning, they would find either a good gift, or a rod symbolizing that they had been bad. 

In modern days, Krampusnacht has adventured out of its birthplace in Austria and Germany to end up in areas all over the world. In Ohio, a Krampus parade is held every December, and multiple other cities and states have begun taking note of the Krampus tradition.  In 2015, a horror film “Krampus” was even created starring the dark Christmas creature. 

This Krampusnacht, take time to look up some of the Krampusnacht activities and experience it for yourself.

December holds a heartwarming day, created to remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach the incoming generations to value freedom. This day is called Wreaths Across America. 

Wreaths Across America is made up of volunteers from all over the United States. It was officially founded by a couple, Morrill Worcester and his wife, Karen Worcester in 2005, and gives its founding thanks to Mr. Worcester, where his idea began at the young age of twelve. Worcester was a paperboy and, at twelve, he won a trip to Washington D.C. Little did he know that trip would change the trajectory of his life. When visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and seeing the thousands of graves at Arlington National Cemetery, Worcester’s mind was open to acknowledging and appreciating the values of the United States and the veterans who sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom and honor. Back home in Harrington, Maine, the Worcester family’s business found themselves with an excess of wreaths nearing the end of the 1992 holiday season. Looking back on his Washington D.C.  trip, he realized that this could be the perfect opportunity to honor veterans, just as his young heart longed to do.  

The senator of Maine helped arrange for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington. The placement of these wreaths during the holiday season remained a private doing until 2005, when an image of the wreaths decorating Arlington circulated the Internet. Quickly, the Worcester’s began receiving messages from people across the nation wanting to know how they could participate in supplying wreaths to Arlington, and if they could bring the tradition to their own national and state cemeteries. 

Presently, the tradition continues and is held on either the second or third Saturday of December. Wreaths Across America receives help from civic organizations such as Civil Air Patrol, and according to the Wreaths Across America website, in 2022, over 2.7 million sponsored veterans' wreaths were placed on headstones at 3,702 participating locations. The website says, “Every year the convoy of trucks, local law enforcement, staff and supporters stop at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities along the way to talk about the Wreaths Across America mission and remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach.” 

During the holiday season, on this year's Wreaths Across America, consider how you can contribute and even become involved in laying wreaths for those who have fallen for the freedom and honor of America.