Witch
Many Americans are familiar with the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th century through their history classes or from reading “The Crucible” in English classes. In 1996, a film adaptation of the Arthur Miller play was released. It starred Wynona Ryder and Dan…
Last will and testament
Some of the most beloved celebrities have passed away this year: David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Garry Shandling, and Ken Howard. Most people were heartbroken to hear that former First Lady Nancy Reagan died. She had been such a prominent figure …
Arab-American family
So far, Americans have celebrated Black History Month in February, and Women’s History Month in March. April brings a season dedicated to Arab-Americans. According to the Arab American Institute Foundation, it’s estimated there are over 3.6…
The Catholic Church has had its share of negative publicity
The Catholic Church has been taking a lot of heat for its stance on birth control and abortion in the wake of the Zika virus. In a rare concession, Pope Francis allowed that birth control measures “could…
Religiosity
Faith is a big deal in the United States. It permeates the news, politics, and healthcare. Pew Research Center recently released a survey about which states are more religious. It shouldn’t be surprising that the states which consider themselves to be…
Easter
Easter is a spring holiday event celebrated by most Christians as the resurrection of Jesus. Many of the customs and traditions associated with the day actually come from pagan religions, who were excited that the winter was over and spring had arrived. The …
Performing Baptisms
Most people get ordained in the Universal Life Church to officiate a wedding ceremony, but many go on to perform baptisms or serve as the minister at a funeral. A ULC minister can certainly perform a baptism, but understand that some religions o…
Women
March is Women’s History Month. Although the first celebration of International Women’s Day was held in 1911, the actual event didn’t really pick up steam until the late ’70s. Congress was making attempts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which wa…
Over 33 million Americans claim some form of Irish heritage, which is seven times more people than the entire population of Ireland itself. For many, St. Patrick’s Day is about leprechauns, parades, beer and shamrocks, but the March 17 holiday actually holds a fa…
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St. Patrick’s Day
John Joly discovered one of the most important factors for social media. It was the year 1894, and he had no idea how vital his discovery would be for future generations. He changed the way people saw pictures by successfully producing color pho…