The Easter holiday will be celebrated this Sunday, April 4, 2021. Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 2020, 77% of American adults celebrated the Easter holiday (goodhousekeeping.com).

But why is Easter called Easter? Interestingly, the name “Easter” actually comes from a pagan springtime tradition. According to theconversation.com, “the naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at the beginning of spring.”

The idea of the Easter Bunny giving candies and eggs is said to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. During the 1700s, Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania brought the Easter Bunny tradition with them to America. 

So how much candy is consumed during Easter? According to Good Housekeeping, an astounding 2.6 billion dollars is spent on candy during this religious holiday — and that’s only counting the United States. Americans consume about 1.5 million Peeps marshmallow candies and 16 million jelly beans during the Easter season. Also, 90 million chocolate bunnies are sold during this time. 

One of Easter’s many traditions is the White House Egg Roll. This American tradition started in 1878, when then-President Rutherford B. Hayes was taking a walk, and children approached him asking about a possible Easter egg roll. He loved the idea, and it’s been a yearly event ever since. 

One of the most recognizable things on a Easter Sunday dinner table is ham, but why?

Well, it has to do with refrigeration. Before the advent of modern technology, it simply made sense to butcher pigs and cows in the fall so the cut up meat could stay cold over the winter. Ham was allowed the time to properly cure over the winter to further develop the flavor. As a result, it made sense to have ham on Easter, as stated by todayifoundout.com. 

In Europe, however, lamb is the common Easter meal. This tradition originates from Jewish Passover feasts. This is also certainly fitting for Easter, with Jesus often called “The Lamb of God.”