Easter, the holiday that comes once a year, every spring. Celebrated with baskets full of gifts, goodies, magical bunnies and eggs full of candy. Many know and celebrate this holiday every year. But do they know the history and where it originated from? 

Easter is a christian holiday, and is celebrated by many cultures all over. This holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is three days after he was crucified by the Romans around 30 A.D. The holiday begins with Lent which is a 40 day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice. And ends with Holy Week, which includes “Maundy Thursday” the celebration of the last supper with the 12 disciples and Jesus, “Good Friday” the day Jesus was crucified and then finally Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday moves around typically falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. 

“Why is Easter called Easter?”… St Bede the Venerable, the 6 century author of Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum… meaning Ecclesiastical History of the English people, maintains that the English word Easter comes from Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Besides the holiday’s significance as a Christian holiday many of the traditions and symbols that play a key role in Easter have roots in the Jewish holiday of Passover.