Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. After the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African Americans together as a community. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. Karenga combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of the week-long holiday. Kwanzaa 2024 begins on Thursday, December 26, and lasts through Wednesday, January 1, 2024.

The word Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew. The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiyah, has nine candles. One candle is for each of the eight days, and one to light the rest.

Hanukkah celebrations include, eating traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Spinning the dreidel, which has letters that remind people of the miracle. Exchanging gifts, chocolate gelt and playing holiday games.