Easter History
What is Easter?
Easter is the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical
year, observed between late March and late April. It celebrates the resurrection
of Jesus, which his followers believe occurred after his death by crucifixion
in AD 27-33.
American Traditions
In North America, the Easter holiday has been partially secularized,
so that some families participate only in the attendant revelry, central
to which is decorating Easter eggs on Saturday evening and hunting for
them Sunday morning, by which time they have been mysteriously hidden
all over the house and garden. According to the children's stories, the
eggs were hidden overnight and other treats delivered by the Easter Bunny
in an Easter basket which children find waiting for them when they wake
up. The Easter Bunny's motives for doing this are seldom clarified. Many
families in America will attend Sunday Mass or services in the morning
and then participate in a feast or party in the afternoon.
