Easter Sunday in the United States
Many Christians celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.
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
Read more about Easter Sunday.Easter Sunday Observances
Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday Type | Where It is Observed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sun | Apr 4 | 2010 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 24 | 2011 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 8 | 2012 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Mar 31 | 2013 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 20 | 2014 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 5 | 2015 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Mar 27 | 2016 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 16 | 2017 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 1 | 2018 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 21 | 2019 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian | |
Sun | Apr 12 | 2020 | Easter Sunday | Observance, Christian |
Quick Facts
Easter Sunday is an important day in the Christian church calendar because it celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection, according to Christian belief.Easter Sunday 2016
Sunday, March 27, 2016Easter Sunday 2017
Sunday, April 16, 2017Name in other languages
Name | Language |
---|---|
Easter Sunday | English |
Pascua | Spanish |
פסחא | Hebrew |
عيد القيامة | Arabic |
부활절 | Korean |
Første påskedag | Norwegian |
Ostersonntag | German |
Related holidays
- Palm Sunday – Sunday, March 20, 2016
- Maundy Thursday – Thursday, March 24, 2016
- Holy Saturday – Saturday, March 26, 2016
- Good Friday – Friday, March 25, 2016
- Easter Monday – Monday, March 28, 2016
Other holidays in March 2016 in the United States
- St. David's Day – Tuesday, March 1, 2016
- Texas Independence Day – Wednesday, March 2, 2016
- Employee Appreciation Day – Friday, March 4, 2016
- Casimir Pulaski Day – Monday, March 7, 2016
- St. Patrick's Day – Thursday, March 17, 2016
- Palm Sunday – Sunday, March 20, 2016
- Maundy Thursday – Thursday, March 24, 2016
- Good Friday – Friday, March 25, 2016
- Holy Saturday – Saturday, March 26, 2016
- Easter Monday – Monday, March 28, 2016
- César Chávez Day – Thursday, March 31, 2016
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