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In the previous issue we explained the meaning of March.
In this issue, we would like to write something about the meaning of the word April. The Romans held the month sacred to Venus, goddess of love. There is another theory that the name April comes from the Venus`s name in Greek Aphrodite. Another possibility is that the name comes from the Latin word aperire, which means to open. Whichever theory you will believe in, the thought of April as the opener of the year is a very probable one. In April - after all the wind and rain of March, the year really start to open - with the weather turning slowly soft and gentle and all the leaves and early blossoms unfolding on the trees and other plants.
The first day of April, All Fools` Day, seems to date from old celebrations of the beginning of spring. In many countries all over the world, especially younger people never forget to play a trick or two on their friends. Be careful not to be April Fool - a person who has been deceived or made fun of. April is a month filled with holidays and anniversaries. On April 6, daylight saving time begins, so don`t forget to set all the clocks and watches an hour ahead. It ends on October 26. By the way, do you like this shifting of time? Do you consider it useful? Does it take you long to adjust to the change? On April 11, 1991 the Persian Gulf War officially ended. Operation Desert Storm, the official name of the war, began on January 17. On April 13, Palm Sunday is celebrated. In the Christian church it is the Sunday before Easter. It got its name from the palm leaves that were spread on the ground in front of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. In some churches people who attend the service on Palm Sunday are given a piece of palm leaf folded into the shape of a cross. The first day of Passover, one of the most important Jawish holidays, is celebrated on April 17. Good Friday falls on April 18. Easter Sunday falls on April 20. A year ago, you could have read an article on Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22. A special day, unknown in our countries, is Arbor Day, on April 25. It is an unofficial U.S. holiday when people plant trees.