Week in Review: December 25, 2022
The First Day of Kwanzaa
The secular holiday celebrating African American culture is observed primarily in the U.S. from December 26 to January 1.
Who celebrates Kwanzaa?
Millions of African Americans and other members of the African diaspora gather with family and friends each year to celebrate the holiday, which has its roots in African harvest festivals.
How is it observed?
On each day, family and friends come together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and to reflect on one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. On the first day the principle is unity (umoja).
How was Kwanzaa popularized?
Created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa grew in popularity with the rise of the Afrocentrist movement, which focused on Black self-sufficiency.
Image: © Sue Barr—Image Source/Getty Images
Year in Review: The Titans We Lost in 2022
By far the most widely felt death in 2022 was that of Queen Elizabeth II, whose long reign had been a constant through many tumultuous decades. Yet she was just one of several notable stalwarts and pioneers who passed away this year, including:
The First African American Actor Awarded an Oscar
© 1972 Columbia Pictures
The Man Who Brought Democracy and Openness to Russia
Vladimir Vyatkin/RIA Novosti Archive; image no. 850809 (CC BY-SA 3.)
The Iconic Voice of Bollywood Music
Sebastian D'Souza—AFP/Getty Images