Did you notice that today is the fourth day of the fourth month? So, what do you know about April, the first month of the second quarter of the year? Below are some things no one ever told you about the beautiful April.
And the Month Was Named APRIL!
The origin of this name lies with the Romans, which in Latin is Aprili. Some believe the root word for the name comes from the Latin verb aperire, which means to open; an allusion to it being the month when trees and flowers begin to open after their hibernation through winter.
Also, since some of the Roman months were named in honour of gods and goddesses, and as April was sacred to the goddess Venus, whose festival was celebrated on the Kalends of April or April 1; it has been suggested that the month was named Aphrilis, using the Greek equivalent of her name Aphrodite (Aphros).
Some Quick Facts About April
- April was the second month of the earliest Roman calendar (in which March was the first), before January and February were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC.
- It became the fourth month of the calendar year (the year when the twelve months were displayed in progressive order) during the time of the Decemvirs about 450 BC, when it also was given 29 days.
- The 30th day was added by Julius Caesar in 45 BC.
- The festival to the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre was celebrated in this month, known by them as Eastre; which historians believe formed the root word for the modern day celebration, Easter.
- Though, the beginning of the planting season in the Northern Hemisphere where it is Spring; it is the season of harvest in the Southern Hemisphere where it is Autumn.
- In terms of seasons, April in the Southern Hemisphere is similar to October in the Northern Hemisphere.
In all truth, did ever read elsewhere or did anyone ever tell you these facts about April?
See Also: How MARCH Got Demoted From the FIRST MONTH to the THIRD MONTH
