The book is a rich and surprising collection of joyous moments - large and small, formal and informal, past and present, personal and public - from around the world. Every kind of celebration, expected and unexpected, is showcased: coronations of monarchs and inaugurations of presidents, weddings, reunions, and graduations, carnival, Olympics, sports victories, national holidays, military victories, independence days, New Years, Christmas, Passover, and other religious and cultural traditions like horse races and dog shows.