In light of Good Friday and Easter weekend, here are a few fun facts regarding both of these central Christian commemorative days.
- In the United States, 12 states observe Good Friday as a state holiday: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Texas and Tennessee.
- Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The historical origins of the “Good” in Good Friday remain unclear, though some entomologists believe the term “good” is an archaic form of “holy.”
- The day before Good Friday is known as Maundy Thursday. The term “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word mandatum (commandment). The term refers to the commandment given by Jesus at the Last Supper: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)
- Over Ninety million chocolate Easter bunnies are made each and every year.
- Surveys suggest that 3 out of 4 people prefer to eat the ears off chocolate bunnies first.
- Americans purchase over 700 million marshmallow Peeps around Easter time.
- In Medieval Europe, Christians would abstain from eating eggs and meat during Lent. Eggs laid during that time were often boiled to preserve them and were given as Easter gifts to children and servants.
- The Saturday after Good Friday and before Easter Sunday is called Holy Saturday.
- In German-speaking countries, Good Friday is generally referred to as Karfreitag meaning Mourning Friday.
- According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest Easter Egg was made of chocolate and was over twenty five feet high.
