Easter is a very important celebration for Christians. It marks one of the major elements of Christianity, which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Because people celebrate it on a different day each year, it is somehow difficult to keep up with things and know the exact date of Easter this year. Here is a quick look at some of its valuable aspects including the date of the Easter celebration in 2009.

The Easter Celebration in 2009

When is Easter this year? The answer is April 12, 2009. This is especially true for Catholics and Protestants. However, religious groups like Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrated it on April 19, 2009, mainly because they use a different kind of calendar and calculations to determine its date every year. On the other hand, most Christian churches use the same means of calculating the date, which makes their celebrations the same amongst themselves.

Believers celebrate Easter during the first Sunday usually of March or April. This day comes after the first full moon and not less than 14 days following the Spring Equinox. Eastern churches follow the Julian calendar. On the contrary, the Roman Catholic Church and its members follow the Gregorian calendar. Due to these differences, they celebrate this highly special event on different dates.

Additional Information and Other Interesting Details About Easter

Based on ancient German language, the term ‘Easter’ means April. More than 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified. Since then, his death is celebrated as Good Friday. According to Christian belief, two days after his death, Christ resurrected from the dead and saved the souls of believers. This event is highly important to these Christian churches because it serves as a constant reminder of God’s love when he sacrificed the life of his very own son for the salvation of the world.

According to historical records, Easter was once called ‘Pascha,’ which stood for the Christian Passover celebration. It was a joyous occasion to celebrate the salvation of their souls as well as their freedom the hands of Egypt. Until now, many people from all over the world continuously practice this rich and colorful tradition. In doing so, they have been able to preserve the different important elements and aspects of this annual celebration.

Today, there are various ways of celebrating this special day. For some people, they go to church and attend mass, after which they offer each other colorful candies as well as the so-called Easter eggs. Furthermore, some individuals give other people bunnies, chickens or ducks as gifts.

Previously referred to as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is definitely one of the most important national holidays in the U.S. Before, people celebrate this day in honor of the brave and valiant Union soldiers who have died during the American Civil War. After World War I, the government expanded the scope of this event. It is now celebrated to honor and commemorate the bravery of all U.S. soldiers who have died after engaging in any kind of military activity or war. Here is a quick glance at history to learn when Memorial Day became a national holiday.

History

When did Memorial Day become a national holiday? It was John A. Logan, who was then commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, who made this all-important decision. He proclaimed Decoration Day as a national holiday on May 5th in 1868. Since then, this special day has been observed annually. The very first celebration took place on May 30th of that same year. For this occasion, people decorate the tombs of deceased soldiers of the Union.

In 1882, some people started to call this event Memorial Day instead of Decoration Day. It was widely used after World War II. The term became official under U.S. Federal law in 1967. On June 28th in 1968 the traditional celebration every 30th day of May was changed officially. It happened after the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by the U.S. Congress. Since then, this holiday is celebrated every last Monday of May instead of May 30th. This important change was made to make the celebration more convenient. In 1971, the Uniform Holidays Bill was implemented as a federal law.

Memorial Day is widely observed in the country. Amongst the many holidays, this one is widely observed because it is a mark that the summer season is about to start.

Additional Information and Other Significant Details

People celebrate this special occasion differently. Many individuals visit memorials and cemeteries. They hold a special moment of remembrance all over the country at 3 p.m. In some places, people fly the U.S. flag halfway starting from dawn until noontime. At national cemeteries, some individuals decorate gravesites with small U.S. flags.

Some people find this occasion a perfect one for holding family events. They usually hold sporting events, special gatherings and picnics. In addition, families, relatives and friends can spend some time together. Other events held regularly in connection to this special holiday include the National Memorial Day Concert as well as the Indianapolis 500.

The history of Mother’s Day began on May 12, 1907. It was Anna Jarvis of West Virginia who decided to set aside this day for mothers worldwide. However, the tradition of honoring mothers is a long one.

The Various Dates

Although Jarvis had declared that May 12 be the day, it was only in 1914 that the US government recognized it as a national holiday. Today the event is celebrated in the US on that date. However, some countries don’t commemorate it on May 12. Instead they usually set aside the second Sunday of the month. In other parts of the world, other dates are used.

Although the origin and history of Mother’s Day is clear, the dates are different. In Israel it is on Shevat 30. This means it can occur anytime between January 30 and March 1. Most Eastern European countries like Albania, Romania and Bosnia celebrate it on March 8.

In Portugal it is on the first Sunday of May. In South Korea they celebrate in on March 8 as Parents’ Day. Australia, Japan and several other countries however, do follow the tradition of celebrating it on May 12 or the second Sunday.

Origin

A look at ancient history will reveal that there had been celebrations like it in the past. One theory is that the worship of the Greek goddess Cybele was an early form of motherly love and devotion. The history of Mother’s Day can also be traced back to ancient Rome. Their Matronalia was set aside for Juno and characterized by giving of presents to mothers.

Mothering Sunday

This date is also known as Laetare Sunday and takes place on the 4th Sunday at Lent. This is actually a time for honoring the Virgin Mary but it has become closely associated with giving gifts to mothers.

Commemoration in Various Countries

Countries that recognize this holiday celebrate it in different ways. In China it is not yet an official holiday but is gaining recognition. Part of the reason is that Chinese culture holds parents in very high esteem and must be honored by their children. Most commemorate it by handing flowers to their mothers. But lately it has also been used as a time to share and help the poor and needy.

The history of Mother’s Day and its meaning is well known to the people of Nepal too. It is celebrated in April. It is marked by paying tribute not just to mothers but also women who have passed on. In Britain and Ireland, it is still being celebrated three weeks prior to Easter.

In Mexico the event became popular during the 1920s. It was supposed to be a tribute to mothers only, but in time it became intertwined with Christianity. Today the event is celebrated on May 10. It is both in honor of mothers and devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Although there are variations, the nations that recognize this holiday are still commemorating the same event. While the history of Mother’s Day has gone through changes, its meaning has remained true.

The history of Labor Day Weekend began in 1882. It is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September. Held in honor of workers, its roots can be traced to New York but it is now observed in the whole of America.

Origin

The date was chosen by the Central Labor Union. The organization was based in New York and they wanted a day reserved for the hard working citizens of the country. However, it took Congress a dozen years to make it into a federal holiday. The date it was approved was June 28, 1894.

Two events are generally held responsible for the Congressional approval. The first were the May Day Riots of 1894. This event would prove important in the history of Labor Day Weekend.

The riots took place in Cleveland, Ohio. The city was suffering from an economic crisis. Eventually scores of people lost their jobs and this led to the massive demonstrations and rallies. These became violent and led to confrontations with authorities. The other incident was the Haymarket affair.

The Haymarket Affair

The official recognition date for this event is May 4. However, its influence on the holiday and labor policies cannot be denied. The incident took place on May 4 1886 in Chicago. The place was Haymarket Square (Chicago) and there was a demonstration for labor workers. Suddenly a bomb exploded. Gunfire and chaos ensued, leading to the death of eight policemen and several laymen.

In a decision that affected the history of Labor Day Weekend, eight laborers were found guilty of throwing the bomb. They were labeled anarchists and half were executed. The trial and conviction (rightly or wrongly) is held by workers as responsible for creating the stereotype image. That is that workers are anarchists who will instigate riots to get what they want.

The Event Today

The holiday is commemorated today with a series of parades and celebrations. The parades come in many forms and shapes but the central theme remains the same. It is a celebration of the working man and woman. Most of these parades and celebrations are also participated in by their families.

The history of Labor Day Weekend saw changes in the events. The parades were soon accompanied by speeches. These were usually done by prominent people in the movement or leaders of various labor organizations. There are also some rallies for or against government policies. Most of the political rallies nowadays though, take place on May 1.

Other Features

Most of the time however, the weekend has become a time for workers and their families to get together. The labor organizations use the time to serve up picnics, sporting events and fireworks. Because it usually heralds the final days of summer, kids and teens use the time to come together and have fun. Major sports like the NFL (National Football League) and NCAA college basketball begin during
this time too.

While the history of Labor Day Weekend has undergone changes, the basic meaning has remained the same. It is a celebration of the working class individual.

The origin and history of Black Friday is subject to debate. The term came into use in the mid 1960s, but the practice actually began much earlier.

What Takes Place

The term refers to the Friday following Thanksgiving in America. This is usually on the 23rd or the 29th of November. On this day, shopping malls and stores offer big discounts to entice shoppers to come. It is recognized as the onset of the Christmas or holiday shopping rush.

The day isn’t actually a holiday but most people are given the off day by their employers. To accommodate the crowd, shops open much earlier. Some open their doors at 4 in the morning or earlier.

Almost all items in stores are put up for sale. Usually the most popular discounted items are toys and electronic gadgets, computers and appliances.

Origin of the Term

Part of the difficulty with setting dates for the history of Black Friday is that the practice is much older than the actual phrase used. According to records, the habit of shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving has been going since 1924.

The phrase itself was first used in Philadelphia in 1966. The phrase was used by the local police authorities to refer to the massive crowd and traffic that accompany the day. Thus the term designated the amount of work that had to be done by the authorities to keep everything in order.

Modern Usage

Recently the phrase has been used in another manner. It refers to the shopping malls’ making a profit. Owing to the sales and influx of shoppers, it’s usually the time when the stores get “in the black” and make money.

Other Traditions

The history of Black Friday is also intertwined with other myths. One theory is that the Santa Claus parades popularized the idea. There is a long held belief that Thanksgiving signals the imminent arrival of Santa Claus. This idea became even more popular as stores utilized the parade for promoting sales.

Other Facts

The popular impression is that this date is the busiest and most frenetic in the year. This is in fact rarely the case. Statistics show that in terms of sales and volume, the most hectic day is the Saturday before December 25.

In recent years, security has been ramped up in the shopping malls. This has been done to avoid accidents. There have been some accidents and even deaths as customers scrambled to get inside the stores.

The history of Black Friday has lately been intertwined with that of Cyber Monday. This date is the Monday following Black Friday. It is the online shopping counterpart of the traditional shopping day.

While not as popular as the traditional shopping day, the earnings by stores from that day are now accounted for when assessing sales profits. What is remarkable is that even in difficult economic times, the people still come out in droves.

The advancements in technology are changing the way that Americans shop. Some now do their shopping on Thanksgiving Day itself. Still, for most people the history of Black Friday and its tradition lives on.

There’s no fixed date regarding when Christmas sales start. In depends on where you are. Other factors like the economy can dictate its occurrence.

The United States

Traditionally the day is set on Black Friday. That is the day after Thanksgiving (last Thursday of November). The stores offer large discounts on almost all items. Among the largest price cuts are among electronic gadgets and appliances. Stores used to open at six in the morning but a lot now open at 4 AM.

This tradition started back in the 1950s and has continued to this day in all states. An increasing number however, have started offering sales a few days before Thanksgiving.

The reason is two fold. The first is that when Christmas sales start, the stores are able to rake in more money. By holding longer sales, they entice more shoppers to come. Second, it gives them an edge over the competition.

During and after the holidays, more sales take place. It’s not unusual to see bigger price cuts after December 25. These are the items that weren’t snapped up during the rush.

Europe

In Europe, the biggest sales take place on Boxing Day (December 26). This is also the case in Dublin, Ireland and other countries on the continent. The stores open up at 9 in the morning. The sales continue for several more days.

In some European cities, December 24 is the time when Christmas sales start. The reason is the same as that in the US. It gives store owners the opportunity to sell more items. For consumers it offers them the opportunity to beat the after holiday rush to buy gifts and presents. The price discounts vary, but the biggest cuts are reserved for popular items.

Economic Factors

The economy is an important factor. During a financial crisis, it’s customary for store owners to offer larger than usual discounts. Buy one, take one offers are also commonplace. This doesn’t just apply when times are hard. When the economy is up, some stores increase their holiday sale offerings. The consumer after all, is willing to spend.

Buying Online

When Christmas sales start, people usually flock to stores to buy. However an increasing number now prefer to shop online. There are several reasons for this. It helps them avoid the large crowds.
Second, it can be a money saver. You can visit several online stores and compare prices easily. You also don’t have to pay for gas. There’s no need to worry about parking space and the traffic as well.

Tips

A lot of companies release new products around the holidays. Take advantage of the opportunity to get them at lower prices.
If you don’t want to go online shopping, be prepared to stand in line. In the US, scores of people line up in the wee hours of Black Friday. Take care not to injure yourself in the rush.

It’s true that when Christmas sales start, it can be quite stressful. However, there are other alternatives like doing it online. Even if you don’t get anything fancy, remember that it’s the thought that counts.

Veterans Day is an annual event held in honor of the brave military veterans. Also known as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, people celebrate this holiday to commemorate the ending of World War I. This actually happened when the Germans finally signed the Armistice. Here is a quick take on when Veterans Day began and its importance in history, not only in America but also to the entire world.

History of Veterans Day

When did Veterans Day begin? This special event started when then-U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared on November 12, 1919 an Armistice Day. The primary reason for this event was to celebrate and honor World War I veterans.

According to historical records, the exact date when the Armistice was signed by the German forces was on November 11, 1918. Because of this, the United States Congress passed a resolution on June 4, 1926 to change the day of celebration. Instead of having the celebration on the 12th day of November, it requested the transfer of the event to the 11th day of November. In addition, the resolution also sought a national day of celebration with corresponding ceremonies.

A law was signed later on May 13, 1938 that made November 11 the official date for Armistice Day. In 1953, a certain group of people from Kansas made some serious efforts that called for the broadening of the scope of the celebration. Not only did they honor the veterans of World War I, but also all the veterans of other wars involving the U.S. After some time, people started to call this event All Veterans Day instead of Armistice Day.

Representative Ed Rees strongly backed the move in the U.S. Congress. After such persistent efforts, the move finally paid off when then-U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954. On November 8, 1954, this annual celebration was officially recognized as Veterans Day instead of its old name.

Other Important Information and Details About the Event

Although this celebration is set on the 11th day of November, there are certain exceptions. For instance, if it lands on Sundays, the celebration will be moved to Monday, which is the next day. On the other hand, if it lands on Saturdays, the celebration will be moved to Friday, which is the day before.

Another significant factor that effected a change of date to this special event for some time was the implementation of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971. Under this, the celebration of this holiday was transferred to every fourth Monday of October. Because the date seemed so far from the traditional day of celebration, the government changed it once again to November 11, with certain exceptions. This is supposedly a festive event. There are ceremonies and parades in order to make the occasion livelier and more colorful.

There are two main dates for Earth Day. In the United States it is April 22nd. The United Nations also has one on March 20th. Differences in dates aside, the objectives are the same. It is to make people more aware of the importance of taking care of the planet.

The April 22 Day

The April 22 event began in 1970. In response to the growing environmental problems, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson declared that a sound environment was essential to Americans’ well being. Although there were groups supporting various Earth causes, there had never been a single unifying force or movement before. This was the very first and Americans responded to it.

The date for Earth Day was April 22. There were protests and demonstrations held against oil pollution and destruction of forests. Usage of pesticides and rampant toxic wastes were also protested against. More than 20 million Americans participated. Although most involved mass demonstrations there were also programs aimed at reducing and removing pollution.

Spread Throughout the World

The event was quickly embraced by other countries as well. One of the largest was in 1990. The main issue tackled at the time was recycling. Millions of people participated in rallies and activities. It would go on to play a role in establishing the UN Earth Summit in Brazil two years later.

The year 2000 saw two main issues being focused on the date for Earth Day. These were global warming and reusable / clean energy. Millions of people from over 180 countries joined in. The Internet played a big role in bringing the activities together. From Africa to the Washington, people rallied to show support for the planet and against pollution.

The March 20 Day

This is also known as the equinoctial day as it is the March equinox. The concept was proposed in 1969 in UNESCO by John McConnell. It was adopted by the United Nations. The following year it was observed by various countries. Some of the earliest adherents were the United States and Japan. On this date for Earth Day, festivities are held throughout the world.

One of the highlights is the ringing of the Peace Bell at the UN. The bells were given by Japan and have been a main feature of the celebrations. Soon the Japan peace bells were followed by bells ringing from the US, New Zealand, France and other countries.

As with the one on April 22, activities take place that help promote a cleaner environment are held. These are now carried out by the UN and their local networks in various countries.

It should be pointed out that there is no conflict between the two dates. In fact the UN supports and helps organize events and activities on both dates. There is a UN organization called Earth Society Foundation that helps organize and assemble these events.

Today scientific studies continue to show the worsening effects of global warming and climate change. With March 20 and April 22 serving as the dates for Earth Day, its proponents hope it will motivate people to do their part to help save the planet.