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The Origins of Easter

The Easter holiday is a very important celebration in Christianity and honors Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The Christian church celebrates Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21. This year Easter falls on April 21.

Each year, Easter is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of reflection and penance, starting with Ash Wednesday, a holy day of fasting. Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday and is typically celebrated with food and merriment. The Holy Week of Easter includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.

Easter also has a secular tradition, with Easter baskets, jelly beans, and chocolate bunnies as commonly distributed goodies for children on Easter morning. Easter egg hunts are also a traditional holiday pastime.