Easter Sunday in United States

Many Christians celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead.

©iStockphoto.com/ Marcus Lindström

What do people do?

Many churches hold special services on Easter Sunday, which celebrate the Jesus Christ's resurrection after his crucifixion. Many people also decorate eggs. These can be hard boiled eggs that can be eaten later, but may also be model eggs made of plastic, chocolate, candy or other materials. It is also common to organize Easter egg hunts. Eggs of some form are hidden, supposedly by a rabbit or hare. People, especially children, then search for them. In some areas, Easter egg hunts are a popular way for local businesses to promote themselves or may even be organized by churches.

Public life

Easter Sunday is not a federal holiday but a number of stores are closed in many parts of the US and if they are open, they may have limited trading hours. In some cities, public transit systems usually run their regular Sunday schedule, but it is best to check with the local transport authorities if any changes will be implemented during Easter Sunday.

Background

In Pagan times, many groups of people organized spring festivals. Many of these celebrated the re-birth of nature, the return the land to fertility and the birth of many young animals. These are the origins of the Easter eggs that we still hunt for and eat.

In Christian times, the spring began to be associated with Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The crucifixion is remembered on Good Friday and the resurrection is remembered on Easter Sunday. The idea of the resurrection joined with the ideas of re-birth in Pagan beliefs.

Symbols

For people with strong Christian beliefs, the cross that Jesus was crucified on and his resurrection are important symbols of the period around Easter. Other symbols of Easter include real eggs or eggs manufactured from a range of materials, nests, lambs and rabbits or hares. Sometimes these symbols are combined, for example, in candy models of rabbits with nests full of eggs. Eggs, rabbits, hares and young animals are thought to represent the re-birth and return to fertility of nature in the spring.

About Easter Sunday in other countries

Easter Sunday Observances

Related holidays

• Palm Sunday ―Sunday, March 24, 2013
• Maundy Thursday ―Thursday, March 28, 2013
• Holy Saturday ―Saturday, March 30, 2013
• Good Friday ―Friday, March 29, 2013
• Easter Monday ―Monday, April 1, 2013

Other holidays in March 2013 in United States

• Read Across America Day ―Friday, March 1, 2013
• Self-injury Awareness Day ―Friday, March 1, 2013
• St. David's Day ―Friday, March 1, 2013
• Texas Independence Day ―Saturday, March 2, 2013
• Casimir Pulaski Day ―Monday, March 4, 2013
• Town Meeting Day Vermont ―Tuesday, March 5, 2013
• International Women's Day ―Friday, March 8, 2013
• Daylight Saving Time starts ―Sunday, March 10, 2013
• World Kidney Day ―Thursday, March 14, 2013
• Pi Day ―Thursday, March 14, 2013
• Evacuation Day ―Sunday, March 17, 2013
• St. Patrick's Day ―Sunday, March 17, 2013
• Evacuation Day ―Monday, March 18, 2013
• March equinox ―Wednesday, March 20, 2013
• International Day of Happiness ―Wednesday, March 20, 2013
• World Poetry Day ―Thursday, March 21, 2013
• World Down Syndrome Day ―Thursday, March 21, 2013
• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ―Thursday, March 21, 2013
• International Day of Nowruz ―Thursday, March 21, 2013
• World Water Day ―Friday, March 22, 2013
• World Meteorological Day ―Saturday, March 23, 2013
• Earth Hour ―Saturday, March 23, 2013
• International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims ―Sunday, March 24, 2013
• World Tuberculosis Day ―Sunday, March 24, 2013
• Palm Sunday ―Sunday, March 24, 2013
• International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members ―Monday, March 25, 2013
• Maryland Day ―Monday, March 25, 2013
• International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade ―Monday, March 25, 2013
• Seward's Day ―Monday, March 25, 2013
• First day of Passover ―Tuesday, March 26, 2013
• Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day ―Tuesday, March 26, 2013
• Maundy Thursday ―Thursday, March 28, 2013
• Good Friday ―Friday, March 29, 2013
• Holy Saturday ―Saturday, March 30, 2013
• César Chávez Day ―Sunday, March 31, 2013