Americans from Maine to Texas are set for a rare treat on April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will be visible across much of the U.S. In ancient times, eclipse-viewers thought they were watching the Sun be eaten by wolves, a dragon or a demon. Of course, we now know that the Sun […]
How Boxing Day evolved from giving Christmas leftovers to servants to a retail frenzy
The Boxing Day sales are an essential part of Australia’s festive season. Every year on December 26 news outlets invariably feature stories about excited shoppers queuing up at the major department stores hoping to score bargains and heavily discounted products. While such reports portray the day’s sales as a time-honoured tradition, they are only a […]
Americans are tiptoeing out of economic turmoil this holiday shopping season
With two big shopping days on the horizon – Black Friday and Cyber Monday – U.S. retailers are getting ready for the most important time of the year. The stakes are high: For some companies, the holiday shopping season accounts for 50% of annual revenue. But economic uncertainty and recent inflation could put a damper […]