Easter

Easter
Observed by	United States and many other countries
Type	Religious and cultural
Date	Varies (Sunday between March 22 and April 25)
Scheduling	First Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21
Frequency	Annual
Duration	1 day (preceded by Holy Week)
Celebrates	The resurrection of Jesus Christ; springtime traditions

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important events in the Christian faith and is widely observed in the United States with a blend of religious services, family gatherings, and spring-themed traditions.

Religious Significance

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion, as described in the New Testament.

It concludes Holy Week, which includes:

Date and Timing

Easter is a movable holiday, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21
It can occur between March 22 and April 25

Religious Observance

Many Americans attend:

Church services, often at sunrise
Readings of the resurrection story
Communion or Eucharist

Cultural and Secular Traditions

Outside of church, Easter is celebrated with:

Easter egg hunts – children search for decorated eggs hidden by the “Easter Bunny”
Easter baskets filled with candy and toys
Decorating eggs with dyes and stickers
Spring-themed meals and desserts

The Easter Bunny

A folkloric character that delivers treats to children on Easter morning
Originated from German traditions brought to America in the 1700s
Often depicted with a basket full of eggs, jellybeans, and chocolate

U.S. White House Tradition

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a long-standing tradition on the South Lawn
It began in 1878 under President Rutherford B. Hayes

Fun Facts

Over 180 million eggs are dyed and decorated each year in the U.S.
Americans spend more than $2 billion on Easter candy annually
The most popular Easter candy is the marshmallow Peep