Groundhog Day originates from Pennsylvania Dutch superstition about seeing groundhog's shadow. German tradition of badger predicting winter extended to six weeks. Similar traditions exist in Hungary with bear as weather predictor
White Day began in Japan in 1978 as an "answer day" to Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day was first attempted in Japan in 1936. The first White Day celebration was initiated by the National Confectionery Industry Association
Anniversary refers to the date of an event or institution's founding in a previous year. Term originated from Catholic feasts commemorating saints. Latin "dies natalis" means "birth day" for institutional anniversaries
Thanksgiving dinner is the centerpiece of modern Thanksgiving celebrations. First Thanksgiving feast occurred in Plymouth Colony in 1621. Thanksgiving became national holiday in mid-19th century. Sarah Josepha Hale popularized Thanksgiving as national holiday in 1865
Epiphany commemorates Jesus' baptism and birth, falling on January 6. Name comes from Greek word meaning deity's physical manifestation. First mentioned by Basilidians in 200s AD
Earth completes one revolution around the Sun in one year. A terrestrial year is 365 days long. Every four years, Earth takes one extra day (leap year)