WE WERE JUST WONDERING

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday. It is not a federal holiday in the United States of America (USA). Some Easter traditions continue on the Easter Monday, such as the egg rolling race at the White House.

Egg rolling races are held in the United States. There is a big race held on the lawn of the White House in Washington DC on Easter Monday. Sometimes even the President takes part in the “White House Easter Egg Roll”, which was hosted by the First Lady in 2007. Eggs are rolled down a hill or slope and there is a variety of activities, as well as food and entertainment, for families.

The White House Easter egg collection involves a tradition that began in 1994 where each state sends a decorated egg to the White House for display. Artists from across the United States created decorated eggs that represent each state and the District of Columbia. Each year the artists vote amongst themselves to select the artist to create the following year's commemorative egg which is presented to the President and First Lady. The collection is coordinated by the American Egg Board.

Easter Monday is not a federal holiday. Most aspects of public life are not any different to any other Monday. Public transit systems usually run their regular Monday schedule in many parts of the United States.

Though not largely observed in the United States, the day remains informally observed in some areas such as the state of North Dakota, where there is no school on Easter Monday, and some cities. Easter Monday was a public holiday in North Carolina from 1935 to 1987. Traditionally Polish-influenced areas such as Chicago observe Dyngus Day as well.

The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

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 the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion is remembered on Good Friday and the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The idea of the resurrection joined with the ideas of re-birth in Pagan beliefs.

For people with strong Christian beliefs, the Cross, on which Jesus was crucified, and the 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.     Read more about Easter Monday.