Talk:Grand Illumination

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talk page for Grand Illumination

[edit] blurb for DYK

Did You Know

• ..that a Grand Illumination, an outdoor ceremony involving the simultaneous activation of electric Christmas lights, is derived from an English tradition of placing lighted candles in the windows of homes and public buildings to celebrate a special event?

[edit] Relationship to Hanukkah rituals

Anyone have any idea if this is related to the custom of placing the Hanukkah menorah so it is visible to the public (see Hanukkah rituals)? Since many Jewish holiday customs are adaptations of older pagan holiday customs, I would not be surprised if Grand Illumination has roots in very ancient times. TheGoblin 12:48, 28 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Trivia: National Lampoon?

This seems totally out of place and completely irrelevant to the article. Unless what Chevy Chase's character was attempting was specifically referred to as a Grand Illumination in the film, this should be deleted. Tons of people string tons of lights on their houses, in their yards, etc.; those aren't Grand Illuminations as far as I'm concerned; a ceremony has to take place as well. Also, given the reference to the Grand Illumination on Martha's Vineyard being "one of the most significant events each summer", I've changed the lead sentence to include Grand Illuminations that have nothing to do with Christmas lights.—Chidom ^talk  21:40, 26 October 2006 (UTC)