Esther 9: Birth Of A Holiday

Ever heard of the Jewish holiday Purim?  Esther 9 describes how that celebration came to be.

After protecting themselves and gaining vengeance on their enemies on one day (and, in Susa, two days), the next day saw the Jews celebrate with feasting and gladness.  Mordecai writes a letter to the Jews throughout the empire, laying out the foundation for the holiday of Purim (which comes from the word Pur for the lots that Haman cast against the Jews):

"Therefore these days are called Purim, from the word Pur. Thus because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, the Jews established and accepted as a custom for themselves and their descendants and all who joined them, that without fail they would continue to observe these two days every year, as it was written and at the time appointed.  These days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every family, province, and city; and these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants" (vs. 26-28).

To this days, Jews around the world still mark and celebrate the days of Purim that began when Esther was queen.  Purim usually takes place sometime in or around March.