Okay…sorry. I really don’t think anyone knows when people started to have parties. It’s sort of a natural thing to do for human beings in every culture (some cultures more than others), so I imagine people have had them throughout history and before.

PS This link gives you the roots of some of the history of Mardi Gras. http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/MardiGras/

There’s another link http://www.aomdj.com/traditio.htm that gives you the history of wedding customs, but I think food, drink, and parties have always been there.

This is from Wikipedia, under festival:

Most Ancient Egyptian festivals were religious, but others were not such as one festival established by Ramesses III to celebrate his victory over the Libyans. When feasts occurred, they were either determined by lunar cycles or the Egyptian calendar. Festivals were large celebrations with plenty of food available. In one festival in the 12th century BC, 11,341 loaves of bread and 385 jars of beer were given to the public. The Sed festival celebrated the thirtieth year of a pharaohs rule and then every three (or four in one case) years after that.

Maybe this helps, anyway.

History Of Birthday Parties and Celebrations

The earliest birthday parties were held because people believed evil spirits were particuarly attracted to people on their birthdays.

At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration. To protect them from harm, friends and family would to come be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes.

Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The tradition of children’s birthday parties first started in Germany, Kinderfeste.

The largest private birthday party to ever happen was in 1970 for Colonel Harlan Sanders’ 89th birthday. The event was attended by over 35,000 people.

History Of Personal Holidays, Celebrations, And Special Occasions

Throughout the year, many major holidays are celebrated, including Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. These are celebrations that many people look forward to because they give them the chance to see their family and friends, and to also partake in well-loved traditions.

Often overlooked as major holidays, personal holidays are also celebrated by people throughout the world.

They may not be days of the year that are given national recognition, but they are very important to the people who celebrate them.

Not every personal holiday is celebrated by everyone on the same day or even at all. And, in fact, each has a different meaning to different people. But they are still special nonetheless.

History Of Celebrations And Special Occasions

Happy CelebrationsSome of the celebrations that are thought to be personal holidays are better known than others, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, and anniversaries.

While others, such as Grandparent’s Day, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras, and cotillions are lesser-known days that are more popular among smaller groups of people.

As mentioned, many people worldwide do celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Both are days to celebrate the special parents or parental figures in our lives.

It may be surprising to learn that Mother’s Day is a holiday that has been celebrated since the days of ancient Greece. Throughout the years the day has evolved into the holiday we now celebrate today on the 2nd Sunday of each May.

As for Grandparent’s Day, this is a day to honor your grandparents. This has been declared to be celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

For many people, birthdays are a fun affair used to Holiday Cakescommemorate the date of their birth.

Throughout the years people will celebrate milestone birthdays, including the 1st birthday, the year they turn 13 and enter their teens, the year they turn the age in which they can drive, the year they turn 18 and are able to vote, the year they can drink, then milestones such as their 30th, 40th, 50th, etc.

One milestone birthday that many U.S. teens celebrate is the Sweet 16. In many states this signal the year that the person can finally drive, while in others it is considered the age of consent. The Hispanic culture has a similar milestone birthday, La Quinceanera. Celebrated when a girl turns 15, it marks her transition from child to woman.

The Jewish culture celebrates birthday milestones with a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Considered to be when a child comes of age, a boy turning 13 has a Bar Mitzvah, while a girl turning 12 has a Bat Mitzvah. When this time comes, the ceremony is used to celebrate the fact that the child can now assume his or her obligation to observe their faith’s commandments.

History Of Celebrations And Special Occasions

Although it isn’t a birthday, a cotillion is also a way for a teenager to, in a sense, come out to the world and announce their transition from childhood to adulthood.

Anniversaries are another way to celebrate a personal holiday through the year. This is the annual day that commemorates a special occasion on the calendar, such as the day you got married, starting dating, had your first kiss, or even started a new job.

Whatever the personal holiday, they are a great way to celebrate something special in your life with the people you care about the most.

History Of Celebrations And Special Occasions

History Of Mothers Day

The History Of Mothers Day

Mothers Day or Mothering Sunday to Julia Ward Howe a day of peace, to anciant greece, mother of the Gods Rhea, more mothers day history facts customs

fathers-dayHistory Of Fathers Day

Fathers Day starts with Sonora Louse Smart Dodd 1909 for her father William Smart, taking 3 Presidents, Fathers Day was not a declared a holiday until 1972!

Celebrating The Holidays

Celebrating The Holidays Celebrating holiday ideas for decorations, invitations, great recipes, party games, unique gift ideas, the best music, celebrating holidays starts here!

History Of Holidays

History Of Holidays The history of holidays has interesting facts, ledgends, myths, about the holidays, holiday traditions and customs history

History Of Celebrations And Special Occasions

History Of Celebrations And Special Occasions History of celebrations and special occassions, Mothers,Fathers,Grandparents Day Birthdays,anniversaries, graduation, retirement have interesting history, facts