15 things to know about Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa, established during the peak of the Black Liberation Movement in the 1960s, is an African-American and Pan-African holiday focused on reconstructing and affirming familial, communal and cultural bonds. Though just over 50 years old, Kwanzaa’s beginnings can be traced back centuries to ancient first-fruits celebrations across the African continent wherein communities gather to celebrate and give thanks for the harvest, while recommitting themselves to shared cultural values. (Bianca Sanchez, The Active Times)