Boxing Day
It was mentioned in print as far back as 1833 and was officially recognized as a British holiday in 1871, but where does the inspiration for Boxing Day actually come from? The origin and reason for Boxing Day are up for some debate, but there are a few agreed-upon possible explanations for the name of the holiday. (And while sports are a big part of Boxing Day celebrations, the name doesn't have anything to do with that type of boxing!)Boxing Day, a British holiday, is celebrated in the UK and many other nations that were once part of the British Empire. Boxing Day is especially widely celebrated in countries where football (American soccer), rugby, and cricket are popular, since these sports often hold special games on December 26. In addition to the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and Ireland celebrate Boxing Day. (Though in Ireland, the holiday overlaps with the celebration of St. Stephen's Day.)
