Happening This Weekend
There’s a little something for everybody this weekend, including Cinco de Mayo—a celebration of Mexico’s victory over French forces in 1862—as well as the Kentucky Derby, the oldest continually-held sporting event in U.S. history. For fans of pop culture, Saturday offers both Star Wars Day and Free Comic Book Day. And if you’re looking for something a bit more supernatural, Friday marks National Paranormal Day, a celebration that’s truly out of this world.
The True Meaning of Cinco de Mayo
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
May the Fourth Be with You
Twentieth Century-Fox
History and Traditions of the Kentucky Derby
© Daren Whitaker/stock.adobe.com
Discover More
Victory in Defeat
Erik Larson’s new Civil War tome The Demon of Unrest shines a light on Major Robert Anderson, a U.S. Army officer who was celebrated in the North after he surrendered the Federal garrison at Fort Sumter. While it might seem odd to celebrate a loss, it turns out that sometimes, winning really isn’t everything.
The Union’s first hero
Anderson returned to Fort Sumter exactly four years to the day after its surrender, to preside over the hoisting of the U.S. flag over the fort.
The miracle at Dunkirk
The failed defense of the Low Countries and the Battle of France were disasters for the Allies during World War II. But the hastily organized evacuation of the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force and 140,000 other Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk would prove to be one of the most morale-boosting retreats in military history.
Honest Abe won in the rematch
The Lincoln-Douglas debates lifted Abraham Lincoln into the national spotlight, but he soundly lost the 1858 U.S. Senate race against his Democratic opponent Stephen A. Douglas. The two would meet again in the 1860 presidential election.
Making the most of seventh place
The reality TV talent contest American Idol has launched quite a few singing careers, but Jennifer Hudson dominates the field. Although she exited the show early in the final rounds of season 3, she has since become one of a handful of performers to win an EGOT.
© North Wind Picture Archives
Popular on Britannica
Features
- Timeline of the Titanic’s Final Hours
- 26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History
- Who Was the Woman Behind the Statue of Liberty?
- Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?
- Radium Girls: The Women Who Fought for Their Lives in a Killer Workplace
- Timeline of the 1980s
- Why Does the United States Have More Tornadoes than Any Other Country?
- Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse?
- How Did Helen Keller Fly a Plane?
- Timeline of the 2000s
Lists
- All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained
- 7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers
- Vietnam War Timeline
- There’s a Riot Goin’ On: Riots in U.S. History (Part One)
- The 6 Deadliest Earthquakes Since 1950
- The World’s 5 Most Commonly Used Writing Systems
- 7 Vestigial Features of the Human Body
- All 81 References in Fall Out Boy’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained
- 9 Noteworthy Bog Bodies (And What They Tell Us)
- 9 of the World’s Deadliest Spiders
U.S. marijuana laws by state
Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, Ohio being the most recent.
José Andrés
This Spanish chef first gained fame for his culinary innovations, but is also known for his charity work through World Central Kitchen.
The appeal of green burials
As more consumers weigh the environmental consequences of traditional funerals, green burials have been attracting attention.
The impact of COVID-19
The pandemic stands as arguably the most disruptive and destructive event of the 21st century. Here’s the toll it took.
Trending Quizzes
See All Quizzes
Where in America is That?
Crisscross the U.S. by placing these famous landmarks.
From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology
Do you know which hero took a dip in the River Styx? Or what mysteries lurk inside the Labyrinth?
Ultimate Animals Quiz
What is a rattlesnake’s rattle made of? What animals can go over 180 miles an hour?
Guess the Language! Quiz
Can you recognize a language by its greeting?
Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz
Take this quiz or you may regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life.
American Civil Rights Movement Quiz
Test your knowledge of Americans’ tumultuous fight to end racial segregation and discrimination.
Name That Thing: Tools
A handy quiz to test your tool acumen.
The Dog Breed Quiz
Find out which breed can outrun a cheetah, which breed was created by monks, and much more.
Baking and Baked Goods Quiz
You may have a sweet tooth, but how much do you know about baking and baked goods? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
First Ladies of the United States Quiz
They have been hostesses, helpers, advisers, gatekeepers, guardians, confidantes, and sometimes formidable powers behind...
Featured Videos
See All Videos
Learn the history of AAPI Heritage Month
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Britannica Premium Subscription
Unlock Exclusive Content!
Britannica's content is among the most trusted in the world. Every article is written, and continually fact-checked, by our experts. Subscribe to Britannica Premium and unlock our entire database of trusted content today.
Subscribe Now!Explore Britannica
More From Britannica
ProCon.org
Award-winning ProCon.org promotes critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship by presenting the pro and con arguments to controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, freely accessible way.
Britannica Money
Discover all you need to know about retirement, investing, and household finance, without the jargon or agenda. Get reliable guidance, insight, and easy-to-understand explanations, written, edited, and verified to Britannica’s exacting standards.
Advocacy for Animals
Presenting Advocacy for Animals, a blog focused primarily on animal rights, wildlife conservation, environmental health and safety, and the legal and cultural issues related to these topics. This blog is a source of information and a call to action. It is meant to be a provocation and a stimulus to thought regarding humanity’s relationship with nonhuman animals.
Alain Elkann Interviews
Alain has been writing a weekly interview column for the Italian newspaper La Stampa since 1989. His interviews celebrate some of the best known and successful personalities of the present day.