Easter is a time of year when many people celebrate and observe the religious holiday. Some traditions of the holiday include: celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, giving eggs to children, and the celebration of Good Friday. This article will discuss these and other traditional Easter customs and events.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a national holiday in several countries. In the United States, it is not a federal holiday. It is, however, a popular day for cultural and sporting events. Many public schools and universities will be closed on this day.
Some of the most significant celebrations of Easter include Easter egg rolling and Smigus-dyngus. Smigus-dyngus is a unique ancient custom in some Catholic nations. It is also known as the lany poniedzialek in Slovakia, and the velikonocni pondelok in the Czech Republic.
One of the best ways to celebrate Easter is with a scavenger hunt. Easter eggs are a symbol of the Christian faith and are usually decorated and hard boiled.
The White House holds an annual Easter egg roll. Artists from across the country have the opportunity to compete for the honor of designing a commemorative egg that will be presented to the President and First Lady.
Smigus-dyngus is not an uncommon sight in North Carolina. The tradition of rolling an egg down a hill is also common. Some areas, including Buffalo, La Porte, and South Bend, Indiana, celebrate this tradition.
Another example is the egg-rolling race at the White House. This competition occurs each year on the South Lawn.
Depending on the location, other Easter traditions might be observed on this day. In some areas, an outdoor procession will be held. Other activities might include a church service.
Good Friday
Good Friday is one of the most important holidays in the Christian calendar. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The cross has become a symbol of faith and is a popular motif in the Easter celebration.
In addition to a holiday, many businesses close on the day. Most stores, banks, and schools are closed. The stock market is also closed. However, many recreational businesses are open.
It is estimated that 20 percent of American employees take the day off. In some places, such as Texas, the holiday is optional.
Originally, Good Friday was a day of fasting and mourning. The Jewish religious leaders had condemned Jesus the night before. During the ceremony, Pilate nailed Jesus to the cross by the wrists and feet. It was the highest form of punishment at the time.
Nowadays, Good Friday is a national holiday in some countries, such as Australia. A large number of Church services are held in the afternoon to remember the crucifixion of Christ. Some churches even feature processions that include actors playing the role of Christ.
There are numerous other Good Friday traditions, including adoration of the cross, a bare altar, and black drapes to symbolize death. These can last as long as three hours.
In the United States, there is no federal holiday on Good Friday. However, there are many state and local public holidays. The US Postal Service and some schools are closed.
Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates the life and achievements of the civil rights leader. It is observed on the third Monday in January each year.
The holiday is a national tribute to the nonviolent activism of the civil rights leader. It is usually celebrated with marches and speeches.
It was first proposed in 1968, just four days after King’s assassination. Representative John Conyers introduced the bill to make King’s birthday a federal holiday. Several state legislatures also declared their own King holidays.
A number of labor unions, particularly the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), were instrumental in the campaign. Some educational institutions teach about King’s work.
A congressional black caucus and other supporters of the holiday formed a campaign to make the holiday a federal holiday. Some states, including Illinois, passed legislation to create a paid King holiday. The King holiday became official in 1986.
Some state and local government offices are closed on the holiday. However, many businesses remain open. Some of these businesses have shortened hours. Some big retail chains like Macy’s and the New York Stock Exchange close on the holiday.
Some grocery stores and restaurants may stay open. Some schools are also closed on the holiday.
As the years have passed, the scope of the holiday has expanded. Now, there are volunteer activities and programs for children, schools, and community groups. The holiday has gained more attention as more Americans embrace the concept of citizenship.
Independence Day
Independence Day is celebrated in the United States each year on July 4. It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This historic document was signed by 56 signers.
The Declaration of Independence is a national monument in the American consciousness, and the Fourth of July is its national holiday. This anniversary is celebrated in all 50 states and US territories. The Fourth of July is a day of picnics, fireworks, and musical concerts. The Declaration of Independence also served as the precursor to the Constitution, which is the legal framework of the United States.
In the United States, the Fourth of July has been a national holiday since 1870. It became a federal holiday in 1941, and is now a paid holiday for federal employees. In many communities, citizens arrange fireworks displays.
The first Fourth of July celebration in the United States took place in 1776 at the town of Eastport Main. During the festivities, people gathered to watch a float, which included some kind of band.
One of the best-known elements of the Fourth of July is the fireworks. Some communities organize displays, while others light their own fireworks. The most impressive fireworks are often shown on television.
Other notable Independence Day activities include fireworks, concerts, parades, and sporting events. The Star-Spangled Banner is also played.
Among the various etiquette guidelines on Independence Day is that it is acceptable to wear T-shirts with the American flag on them. The appropriate bandana is also acceptable.
St. Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. It is celebrated on February 14th in various countries worldwide. It is one of the most commonly celebrated days of the year. In most countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and South Korea, singles and couples exchange cards, flowers, or gifts.
Valentine’s Day is a holiday with uncertain origins. Some historians claim that it was created by the Catholic Church to honor saints, while others believe it is based on the martyrdom of two men named Valentine. However, there is not much proof of either of these claims.
In the middle ages, courtly love was prevalent, and a popular form of expression involved hand-written love letters. These valentines were usually written by nobility, who sent them to their love partners during the bird-mating season. In the 15th century, a round-backed valentine was written to a wife by Charles, Duke of Orleans.
Although Valentine’s Day is primarily a religious holiday, it has evolved into a celebration of romantic love. Many people will exchange cards, candy, and flowers. In the 20th century, it was expanded to include giving jewelry.
The earliest known love poem is said to have been written over five thousand years ago. It was written on a clay tablet. Some historians have suggested that it was written by a priest, named Valentine, who secretly married young lovers.
The festival Lupercalia was celebrated on February 15 in ancient Rome. It was a fertility festival that included anointing animals with their blood, and sacrifices. It was believed that blood-soaked hides promoted fertility.
Traditions of giving eggs
There is a wide range of Easter traditions, some of which can be creatively incorporated into an Easter celebration. Some of the best known are egg rolling, egg hunting, and egg decorating.
The Easter egg is a symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This symbolism has been adopted by many cultures. Some civilizations give eggs to the dead as a symbol of rebirth. It is also considered a good luck symbol.
The origin of the egg is unclear, but the tradition may date back to ancient times. Some cultures give out eggs as gifts during Holy Week. Others give them as prizes. In fact, the egg is one of the earliest symbols of rebirth.
The first documented use of Easter eggs was in the 13th century. The tradition of dyeing and decorating eggs was common in medieval Europe. Some people also used hen or duck eggs for decoration.
A modern Easter tradition involves painting and dyeing eggs. Some people paint them with horseshoes to bring good luck.
Another interesting Easter tradition is the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny, sometimes called the Easter Hare, is a mythical creature said to hop into homes before Easter Sunday. It is also believed that it hides Easter eggs in people’s houses.
The Easter egg decorating tradition has also been practiced in Western churches since the Middle Ages. In particular, it is thought to have been inspired by pagan rituals.
