Easter

Easter Easter is the Christian commemoration of the rebirth of Jesus as a religious holiday. It is the first full moon of the first Sunday after the spring equinox. People celebrate the holiday according to their beliefs and religious denominations. Good Friday is a federal holiday and many schools and businesses throughout the United States are closed on this Friday. Christians commemorate Good Friday as the day when Jesus Christ died and Easter Sunday as the day when he was resurrected. There are a lot of traditional Easter celebrations. The Easter Egg is the most typical symbol. In ancient times, the eggs were often seen as a symbol of more children and grandchildren and of rebirth because they breed new life. The rabbit is also a symbol of Easter. In England, Germany and some other countries, children roll eggs down hills on Easter morning, a game which has been connected to the rolling away of the rock from Jesus Christ’s tomb when he was resurrected. British settlers brought this custom to the New World. In the United States in the early 19th century, Dolly Madison, the wife of the fourth American President, organized an egg roll in Washington, DC. She had been told that Egyptian children used to roll eggs against the pyramids, so she invited the children of Washington to roll hard-boiled eggs down the hilly lawn of the White House. The custom continued, except for the years during the Civil War. In 1880, the First Lady invited children to the White House for the Egg Roll. It has been held there since then. The event has grown, and today Easter Monday is the only day of the year when tourists are allowed to wander over the White House lawn. The egg rolling event is open to children of twelve years old and under. Adults are allowed only when accompanied by children. Traditionally, many celebrants bought new clothes for Easter which they wore to church. After church services, everyone went for a walk around the town. This led to the American custom of Easter parades all over the country. Perhaps the most famous is along the Fifth Avenue in New York City. Although Easter maintains great religious significance, many children in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States and England, think of it as a time to get new spring clothes, decorate eggs and participate in Easter Egg hunts. Some children receive Easter baskets full of candies, snacks and presents around this time of the year.