Easter
After the 40 day period of Lent, Easter is celebrated around the world to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As one of the most holy days in the Christian faith, Easter represents new life and the salvation of humanity. Jesus’ death on the cross is said to have paid for the sins of humanity, and his resurrection is seen as the proof of his holiness. In 2026, Easter fell on April 5.
The week leading up to Easter is filled with other holy events, like Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ return to Jerusalem after spending 40 days wandering in the desert. Maundy Thursday marks the day of Jesus’ last supper before his crucifixion, which occurred on Good Friday. Finally, Easter Sunday celebrates the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection.
Christians celebrating Easter often worship at church and hold gatherings with friends and family. Symbols representing rebirth and springtime, like bunnies, eggs and flowers, are commonly associated with Easter celebrations. Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies have become cultural symbols of Easter, but the holiday’s importance to the Christian religion remains strong. At its core, Easter is a celebration of rebirth and new beginnings, a fitting theme for the start of spring.
Passover
Another springtime holiday belongs to the Jewish faith: Passover. Passover commemorates the exodus of the Jews led by Moses, escaping slavery in Egypt. Its name comes from the story of the tenth plague imposed upon Egypt, where every firstborn child was to be killed by God. According to the tale, the Lord explained to Moses, who had been sent to liberate the Israelites, that he would “pass over” Jewish homes if they put lambs’ blood on their doors. Following this plague, the Pharaoh of Egypt allowed the Israelites to leave. The Jews hurried out, not even leaving enough time for their bread to rise, which is why matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten during this holiday.
Another important event remembered during Passover comes during the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. After letting them go, the Pharaoh regretted his decision and began to chase after the Israelites. The Israelites soon reached the Red Sea, and were unable to pass. However, by raising his staff, Moses parted the sea, allowing his people to cross and escape from the Egyptians.
Passover, which lasted between April 1 and 9 this year, is one of the most important Jewish holidays. To remember and celebrate the liberation of the Israelites, observers often hold a Passover Seder and tell the story of the exodus of the Jewish people. Every spring, the celebration of Passover brings families together throughout the world to honor freedom and resilience.
Earth Day
Earth Day is observed worldwide on April 22 to celebrate the Earth and bring awareness to issues harming the environment. In 2026, the theme for Earth Day is “Our Power, Our Planet,” which aims to inspire people to engage with their communities to help reduce climate change. Earth Day was founded in the US in 1970, and has grown massively in scope, now including events throughout the world such as teach-ins, community tree planting and demonstrations.
We are all encouraged to live greener and more sustainably on Earth Day. Some methods for this include making an effort to follow the three R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle), attempting to limit water and electricity usage, reducing waste, and getting involved in local environmental protection organizations.
As global warming and climate change become increasingly threatening to our planet, it is important that we continue to work towards addressing environmental issues. While it is true that governments and large corporations must recognize their responsibility to protect the Earth to make a large impact, individuals can still make a positive difference in the world. By celebrating Earth Day, we can bring awareness to the dangers of global warming and take small steps towards a more sustainable future.