Figures show Kwanzaa is growing in popularity. Bill Nesmith, a reference librarian at Person County public library in Rocksboro, N.C., says interest in the holiday is growing, with about 13 million people now celebrating the holiday that began in 1966, honoring African-American culture.

There are seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

According to the "officialkwanzaawebsite.org," the holiday was created by Maulana Karenga, a professor in the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach.

It's timed to reflect the history of African harvest celebrations. The name kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase for "first fruit."

The celebration includes candle lightings, discussions and a New Years Eve feast. This year's celebration began Monday.