December 2011 e-Newsletter - ISO Insurance – International student health insurance!
Can you feel a change in the air?—and by this, I’m not referring to the drastic drop in temperature
over the past few weeks. I’m referring to the added spring in (almost) everyone’s steps, the extra
smiles that strangers are imparting to one another, the increase in overall generosity, and of course,
the enduring sense of collective “jolliness”. Yes, it’s that time of the year again. The holiday season
is here to bring some much needed cheer into our lives, and ISO hopes to spread some of its own by sharing
interesting multicultural holiday facts—because, after all, our country is a melting pot of backgrounds and traditions.
Holiday Fun Facts:
- Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone.
- The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers.
- According to the Guinness world records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot Douglas-fir
that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington.
- The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but they are lit from left to right.
- Modern “Chanukiahs” or menorahs have eight candles plus the shamash (the candle used to light the other
candles) for the eight-day lighting. But the original menorah had seven.
- Kwanzaa is a non-religious African American holiday that reinforces community, family and good social values.
- Kwanzaa first started in 1966, when Dr. Maulana Karenga thought up the idea. He was concerned about the
loss of identity of the African American people, and wanted a celebration of their cultural heritage and roots.
- The word Kwanzaa comes from Swahili, a widely spoken African language.
- Eid al-Adha is a celebration of submission to God, which is the cornerstone of the Islamic faith (islam
means "submission").
- Eid al-Adha marks the completion of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Mina, Saudi Arabia, but is also observed
by Muslims throughout the world to commemorate the faith of Ibrahim (Abraham).
- Eid al-Adha begins with communal prayer at daybreak on its first day, which takes place at the local mosque. Worshippers
wear their finest clothes for the occasion. It is also a time for visiting friends and family and for exchanging gifts.
- Each year for New Year’s Eve in New York City, hundreds of thousands of people gather and wait for hours in the
cold for the famous 1-minute countdown and Ball-lowering ceremony.
- Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later.
- The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and
children carrying lanterns in a parade.
- Chinese New Year was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth,
the gods of the household and the family ancestors. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they
were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
Since there are so many colorful cultures with wonderful and unique holidays all around the world, we are sure we missed many
other seasonal holidays. If you know a fun fact about your own winter holiday and care to share, please leave a comment on
ISO’s Facebook page under the link for this December e-Newsletter.
This information is brought to you by ISO insurance division, the sole provider
of ISO Compass Health Insurance Plans and the leading international student insurance provider.
Due to the high cost of medical services in the USA, we encourage you to always
keep your international student health insurance up to date!
Sources:
facts.randomhistory.com/christmas-facts.html
www.funtrivia.com/en/Religion/Chanukah-11130.html
www.funsocialstudies.learninghaven.com/articles/kwanzaa.htm
www.religionfacts.com/islam/holidays/adha.htm
www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/
ISO Insurance – International student Health insurance!