THE ORIGIN OF MONTH NAMES

JANUARY. For the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.

FEBRUARY. From the Latin februa, "to cleanse." The Roman Februalia was a festival of purification and atonement that took place during this time of year.

MARCH. For the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter.

APRIL. From the Latin aperio, "to open (bud)," because plants begin to grow now.

MAY. For the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants. Also from the Latin maiores, "elders," who were celebrated now.

JUNE. For the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the wellbeing of women. Also from the Latin

JULY. To honor Roman dictator Julius Caesar (100 b.c.–44 b.c.). In 46 b.c., with the help of Sosigenes, he developed the Julian calendar.

AUGUST. To honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar (63 b.c.–a.d. 14).

SEPTEMBER. From the Latin septem, "seven," because this was the seventh month of the early Roman calendar.

OCTOBER. From the Latin octo, "eight," because this was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar.

NOVEMBER. From the Latin novem, "nine," because this was the ninth month of the early Roman calendar.

DECEMBER. From the Latin decem, "ten," because this was the tenth month of the early Roman calendar.

Easter Dates (2021–24)

Christian churches that follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the paschal full Moon on or just after the vernal equinox.

The Julian calendar is used by some churches, including many Eastern Orthodox. The dates below are Julian calendar dates for Easter converted to Gregorian dates.

FRIGGATRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA TRIVIA

Here are a few facts about Friday the 13th:

In the 14 possible configurations for the annual calendar (see any perpetual calendar), the occurrence of Friday the 13th is this:

6 of 14 years have one Friday the 13th.

6 of 14 years have two Fridays the 13th.

2 of 14 years have three Fridays the 13th.

No year is without one Friday the 13th, and no year has more than three.

Months that have a Friday the 13th begin on a Sunday.

2021 has a Friday the 13th in August.

Love calendar lore? Find more at Almanac.com/Calendar.