Special Days in April

In ancient Rome, the second month was "Aprilis," meaning "to open." April was the "angel of spring" or "the opener," heralding the time of new life and renewal. In old English, April was named after the goddess of spring: Ostra or Eostre. It later became "Oster -monath" or "Eostur monath", and Easter probably came from this.

There are a number of diverse celebrations in the month. The first day is probably the best known as April Fool's day. In US and many other countries, the common term is April Fool, while in England it's "Noddy" or simpleton. In Scotland, if a person is fooled by being sent on a foolish errand, it's called "hunting the gowk" (another name for simpleton). The person being fooled in France is called "poisson d' Avril" or "April fish", because in April, fish are young and easily caught. People buy chocolate fish at this time.

The custom of harmless tricks began in France 400 years ago. At that time, New Years day was on March 25, and the celebrations went on till 1^st April when people exchanged New Years gifts. When the French adopted the new calendar, New Years day was celebrated on January 1. However, many people were confused about this for a long time. Therefore, on April 1, those who remembered the change began to play tricks on those who forgot!

Passover celebrations by the Jews started 3000 years ago-it begins in late March or April, and lasts for 7-8 days. It is celebrated as the festival of freedom, and the birth of a nation. In the Bible story, the angel of death saw blood on the doors of the Jews, and PASSed OVER or went by the houses. The Pharaoh let the Jews go, who left in a hurry. Therefore, they did not have time to bake their daily bread, and just wrapped up the dough and took it with them. When they stopped to eat, they simply baked the dough over fires. Since the bread had no leaven or yeast in it, it was like a cracker, and called unleavened bread. Passover is thus also called the Feast of the unleavened bread. Even today, Jews eat unleavened bread or matzah, which is made from flour and water, without other grains added to it. Thus, it has religious and agricultural significance.

Passover begins with a special celebration called "seder" -both a religious service and feast. The family prays together and eats traditional foods, followed by the singing of happy folk songs.

Arbor Day was first celebrated in US on April 10, 1812, in Nebraska. It was the idea of Morton, a news paper man who knew the importance of trees. After his death, Nebraska changed Arbor Day to his birthday on April 22. In California, it is celebrated on March 7, the birthday of Luther Burbank, who developed many kinds of trees and plants.

New Year for trees is observed in Israel in spring on the 15^th day of the Hebrew month. It is called "Tu B' Shebat" or the 15^th day of the month of Shebet. In ancient times, the people of Palestine celebrated this day by planting trees for the children born during that year-cedar for a boy, cypress for a girl.

Easter Sunday, which commemorates the resurrection of Christ, is the most significant day for the Church. It is usually celebrated in April, though sometimes it could occur in late March.

April 13-14 ushers in the New Year in some states of India-Punjab in the north, Bengal and Assam in the east, and Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south.

Lesser known events in April are St.George's day on the 23^rd in England, and Anzac day on the 25^th in Australia and New Zealand.

The diversity of celebrations in April is perhaps symbolic of the month itself---springtime in some countries, scorching summer in others, and winter in the southern hemisphere.

Sources:

Childcraft series for children.

Children's encyclopedia-edited by Arthur Mee.

Iloveindia.com