Easter Sunday in United States

Many Christians celebrate Easter Sunday in the United States. ©iStockphoto.com/Anna Yu

What do people do?

Most churches hold special services on Easter Sunday, which celebrate the Jesus Christ's resurrection after his crucifixion. However, for most people Easter Sunday celebrations are more about eggs and rabbits or hares. It is traditional to decorate eggs. These are often hard boiled eggs that can be eaten later, but may also be model eggs made of plastic, chocolate, candy or other materials. It is also very common to organize Easter egg hunts. Eggs of some form are hidden, supposedly by a rabbit or hare. People, especially children, then search for them. In some areas, Easter egg hunts are a popular way for local businesses to promote themselves or may even be organized by churches.

Public life

Easter Sunday is not a federal holiday. Most aspects of public life are not any different to any other Sunday. Public transit systems usually run their regular Sunday schedule.

Background

In Pagan times, many groups of people organized spring festivals. Many of these celebrated the re-birth of nature, the return the land to fertility and the birth of many young animals. These are the origins of the Easter eggs that we still hunt for and eat.

In Christian times, the spring began to be associated with Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The crucifixion is remembered on Good Friday and the resurrection is remembered on Easter Sunday. The idea of the resurrection joined with the ideas of re-birth in Pagan beliefs.

Symbols

For people with strong Christian beliefs, the cross that Jesus was crucified on and his resurrection are important symbols of the period around Easter. Other symbols of Easter include real eggs or eggs manufactured from a range of materials, nests, lambs and rabbits or hares. Sometimes these symbols are combined, for example, in candy models of rabbits with nests full of eggs. Eggs, rabbits, hares and young animals are thought to represent the re-birth and return to fertility of nature in the spring.

Easter Sunday Observances

Related holidays

• Good Friday–Friday, April 10, 2009
• Easter Monday–Monday, April 13, 2009

Other holidays in April 2009 in United States

• Pascua Florida Day (Thursday, April 2, 2009)
• United Nations' Mine Awareness Day (Saturday, April 4, 2009)
• Palm Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2009)
• United Nations' World Health Day (Tuesday, April 7, 2009)
• Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
• First day of Passover (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
• Good Friday (Friday, April 10, 2009)
• Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 11, 2009)
• Easter Monday (Monday, April 13, 2009)
• Father Damien Day (Wednesday, April 15, 2009)
• Tax Day (Wednesday, April 15, 2009)
• Emancipation Day (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
• Last day of Passover (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
• Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 19, 2009)
• Patriot's Day (Monday, April 20, 2009)
• Yom HaShoah (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
• San Jacinto Day (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
• Oklahoma Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• Administrative Professionals Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• World Book and Copyright Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
• Arbor Day (Friday, April 24, 2009)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Monday, April 27, 2009)
• Yom HaAtzmaut (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)

Other calendars

• Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
• Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
• Custom calendar - make customized calendars

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