A tradition is almost synonymous of custom. It is something we are used to do because it has always been this way. A tradition may be familial, local, national or sometimes world-wide, even if it is more rare.

Traditions are linked to a culture and are orally transmitted, from generation to generation. Religious traditions are probably the most ancient. Catholics baptize their newborns, Egyptians embalmed their dead, Muslims circumcise boys, some peoples observe initiatory rites at puberty, and so on. All these traditions make a point of mentioning a strong desire of values and rites transmission, that are sometimes ancestral.

Some historical dates are also commemorated by tradition. For instance, in the United States, the Veteran's Day celebrates the ex-servicemen courage of all those who fought wars. It takes place on November, 11, which is also the armistice day of WW1. American history is commemorated also on the Independence Day (July, 4) or Thanksgiving (November, 26). Religion is established in tradition as well, and usually causes scholar vacation. That's the case for Christmas (December, 25).

Other days of celebration are traditional, like Halloween (October, 31) or Saint Patrick's Day (March, 17).Some have been more recently created like Valentine's Day (February, 14) or the Grandparents Day (September, 10). Some people are rather reluctant as to celebrate those days that they consider more commercial than traditional. Indeed, it is sometimes hard to bring some value to a new tradition for a tradition usually carries a strong historical meaning.