Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:02 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:02:38 GMT
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Wednesday morning, the president of the University of Southern Mississippi announced that the current athletic director's contract would not be renewed.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:47:51 GMT
Marion County law enforcement pulled together in a concerted effort to take drug dealers off the streets on Saturday. Officials said the operation was a success as 20 individuals were picked up on variousMore >>
Marion County law enforcement pulled together in a concerted effort to take drug dealers off the streets on Saturday.More >>
Bob and Barbara Schmidt dashed to their home on a dirt road in a heavily wooded area northeast of Colorado Springs as smoke from what would become the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history filled the air.More >>
A new wildfire in the foothills southwest of Denver forced the evacuation of dozens of homes Wednesday as hot and windy conditions in much of Colorado were making it easy for new fires to start and spread.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:04:25 GMT
A Jasper County man was injured Tuesday afternoon, June 18, in a two-vehicle accident with one vehicle rolling over on its side after the collision. Shortly after 4 p.m. a 911 call came into the JonesMore >>
A Jasper County man was injured Tuesday afternoon, June 18, in a two-vehicle accident with one vehicle rolling over on its side after the collision. Shortly after 4 p.m. a 911 call came into the JonesMore >>
Sarah Josepha Hale is not generally recognized as a holiday hero. But she deserves much of the credit for one annual celebration. Can you identify that holiday?More >>
Sarah Josepha Hale is not generally recognized as a holiday hero. But she deserves much of the credit for one annual celebration. Can you identify that holiday?More >>
How does Santa Claus travel to the Netherlands -- and where does he come from?More >>
How does Santa Claus travel to the Netherlands -- and where does he come from?More >>
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At Christmastime in 1510, in the Latvian capital of Riga, a tree was decorated with paper ornaments and used in the holiday celebration. At the culmination of the holiday, the tree was tossed in a bonfire and burned.
The Latvians claim that as the first Christmas tree ever.
A few years later, in Germany, Martin Luther decorated a tree with candles, and the idea of a Christmas tree began spreading from Germany into other parts of Europe.
Trees have been used as part of ritual celebrations since pagan times. The fir tree was adopted by early Christians, probably because its triangular shape recalled the Trinity which is a central theme of Christianity. Fir trees often were hung from the ceiling, upside down, as part of religious worship. But until the Latvians got the idea, those trees were not decorated or associated specifically with Christmas.
Although much medieval lore is subject to question, Latvia's claim to the first Christmas tree is widely accepted. The International Christmas Archives, for example, credits the Latvians with originating the Christmas tree.
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