Origins of the
12 Months of the Year

Welcome! There are twelve months in each year (as if you didn't know already). Some have 30, and some have 31 days. Then there's that sneaky February month, which has neither 30 or 31. Isn't that odd?

Um...yeah.

Well, keep reading and see what else you might find odd. =]

What're these month thingies called? And why?

I knew you'd ask that. Here's an ordered list for you.

1.  January  - Named after "Janus", the Roman god of beginnings and endings (and symbolized by doorways, entrances, gateways, thresholds).
2.  February - Named for Februa, the Roman festival of purification and forgivness of sins. The latin word "februare" means "to purify". There is also an old Italian/Etruscan god of purification (and of the underworld) named "Februus".
3.  March - Named after the Roman god "Mars", god of war and guardian of the Roman state.
4.  April  - From "aperire", Latin for "to open". This month heralds the opening of buds and blossoms, flowers and leaves. It was also considered a sacred month for the Roman goddess Venus (whose Greek name is Aphrodite...but whether or that matters is open to discussion).
5.  May  - Named after "Maiesta", the Roman goddess of honor and reverence. Or maybe after the Roman goddess "Maia". Who knows?
6.  June  - Named after "Juno". No, not that free e-mail/internet service provider. She was the Roman goddess of...well she was the goddess, queen of 'em all.
7.  July  - No god or goddess here. This month was named after Julius Caesar. Used to be named "Quintilis" (Latin for "fifth month"), as it was the fifth month of the old Roman calendar; but hey, if the guy wants his own month, why not?
8.  August  - This one used to be called "Sextilis" (get your mind out of the gutter, it's Latin for "sixth month"). Julius was dead by the time this month was renamed, and Augustus thought he deserved his own month too.
9.  September  - No more narcisstic emperors here. This comes from the Latin "Septem", number seven. Yes, September is the ninth month, but it used to be number seven.
10.  October  - More Latin. "Octo" = eight.
11.  November  - Yet even more Latin. "Novem" = nine.
12.  December  - Yes, Latin. (Yawn.) "Decem" = ten.

Okay, so how many days are in each month?

Like I said earlier, some have 31 and some have 30.

Wait, what about February?

Well, since it doesn't have 31 or 30 days, February doesn't belong in that nice little 2-column by 3-row table up above. February is unique in that it has 28 or 29 days. Usually it has 28, but it has 29 only in a year that both 1) is divisible by 4, but 2) is not divisible by 100 unless, 3) it is divisible by 400. Confused? Good. =P

Okay, one more time. If a year is divisible by 4, it might be a leap year. 2004 is divisible by 4. It will be a leap year.

Now, if the year is divisible by 100, it is only a leap year if it's also divisible by 400. 2000 is divisible by both 100 and 400. 2000, if you remember, was a leap year. Unfortunately, when the year 2100 comes around, there will be no February 29th -- 2100 is not divisible by 400. No extra day of pay for you. =[

On the off chance you want to look at the pages I did for previous lessons, click to check out six or seven.

The above information and more can be found at the various links provided by this Google.com web site directory. Start clicking to learn about months, days, years, and more! =D

That image at the top is provided by ArtToday.com (in accordance with their usage guidelines).