In ancient China, moon worship was tied closely to fertility and the harvest. So the full moon that happened closest to the fall equinox became the holiday now called Mid-Autumn Festival, also called Moon Festival by some. Originally a celebration of the harvest and a plea to the gods for rains to ensure a good harvest next year, the festival has become a more secular bit of autumn fun, with children and adults alike eating sweet mooncakes, lighting lanterns, and giving thanks for all they have. Really, they had us at ‘mooncake.’
Mooncake time
Today in History
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A winter light show
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Three Natural Bridges, Wulong Karst, China
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World Teachers Day
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Who s there? The largest owl in the world
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By the light of the fireflies
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In Texas, even the riverbend is big
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Beware the Ides of March
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Wildcat in a winter wonderland
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The confluence of the Arve and Rhône Rivers
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Green fields of grain
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Mitsumata blossoms
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A memorial in Germany
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Bản Giốc–Detian Falls, Vietnam
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It s International Jazz Day
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Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska
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Bournemouth beach huts
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Celebrating the International Day of Forests
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Lunar eclipse
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World Water Day
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World Migratory Bird Day
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Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
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National Cherry Blossom Festival
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International Polar Bear Day
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Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
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World Laughter Day
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Barcelona bids farewell to summer
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A day for the dolphins
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A storied trail marks a century
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Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
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It’s Napping Day