Changes

There are 12 '''months''' in the current [[Gregorian Calendar]], a practice started with the [[Romans]] in the [[Julian Calendar]]. They subdivide the year and are based loosely on the lunar cycles of the moon orbiting the earth (even though the moon orbits more than 12 times in a year).

A '''month''' is a portion of a year corresponding roughly to the passage of the [[Earth]] round the moon (a 'lunar month', of which there are, in fact, thirteen). There are twelve terrestrial months in the [[Gregorian Calendar]], a practice started with the [[Romans]] in the [[Julian Calendar]]. The months are named after pagan gods, goddesses, festivals, events, Roman emperorsm, and numbers. The ninth to twelfth months are named after the [[Latin]] words for seven to ten because in [[Roman]] times the year started with March.

 

The months in order:

The months in order:

:''And twenty-nine in each leap year ''

:''And twenty-nine in each leap year ''

==January==

===January===

Originally named after [[Janus]], the two-headed [[Mythology|Roman god]] of the New Year. One of his heads looks back to the previous year, and the other looks forward in anticipation of the coming year.  [[New Year's Day]] and [[Martin Luther King Day]] are holidays that both occur during January.

Originally named after [[Janus]], the two-headed [[Mythology|Roman god]] of the New Year. One of his heads looks back to the previous year, and the other looks forward in anticipation of the coming year.  [[New Year's Day]] and [[Martin Luther King Day]] are holidays that both occur during January.

==February==

===February===

The word derives from the [[Latin]] "Februārius" (ménsis), meaning "expiatory" (month), derivative of "februa," meaning "expiatory offerings."  It was named after the Roman purification or forgiveness festival.  It is the shortest of the months.  [[President's Day]] and [[Valentine's Day]] fall within February.

The word derives from the [[Latin]] "Februārius" (ménsis), meaning "expiatory" (month), derivative of "februa," meaning "expiatory offerings."  It was named after the Roman purification or forgiveness festival.  It is the shortest of the months.  [[President's Day]] and [[Valentine's Day]] fall within February.

==March==

===March===

Originally amed after the Roman god of war, [[Mars (Mythology)|Mars]]. During Roman era, it was the first month of the year, thus explaining the names of September, October, November and December (respectively seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth in Latin, referring to their former relatives positions in the Roman calendar).  [[St. Patrick's Day]] occurs in March as does the famous reference to the [[Ides of March]], the death of [[Julius Caesar]].  [[Easter]] takes place in either March or April.

Originally amed after the Roman god of war, [[Mars (Mythology)|Mars]]. During Roman era, it was the first month of the year, thus explaining the names of September, October, November and December (respectively seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth in Latin, referring to their former relatives positions in the Roman calendar).  [[St. Patrick's Day]] occurs in March as does the famous reference to the [[Ides of March]], the death of [[Julius Caesar]].  [[Easter]] takes place in either March or April.

==April==

===April===

From the Latin word aperire meaning "to open" as in flower buds.  The first day of April is [[April Fools Day]].  Easter takes place in either March or April

From the Latin word aperire meaning "to open" as in flower buds.  The first day of April is [[April Fools Day]].  Easter takes place in either March or April

==May==

===May===

Named after the [[Norse]] goddess of the Earth, [[Maia]]. [[Mother's Day]] is in May.

Named after the [[Norse]] goddess of the Earth, [[Maia]]. [[Mother's Day]] is in May.

==June==

===June===

Was named for [[Juno]], the wife of [[Jupiter]] in Roman mythology.  [[Father's Day]] is in June.

Was named for [[Juno]], the wife of [[Jupiter]] in Roman mythology.  [[Father's Day]] is in June.

==July==

===July===

Was named after [[Julius Caesar]], the famous Roman general and statesman who was the creator of the [[Julian Calendar]].  The [[Fourth of July]] is celebrated as the day of the [[United States]] independence from [[Great Britain]].

Was named after [[Julius Caesar]], the famous Roman general and statesman who was the creator of the [[Julian Calendar]].  The [[Fourth of July]] is celebrated as the day of the [[United States]] independence from [[Great Britain]].

==August==

===August===

Was named after [[Augustus]] Caesar, the first Emperor of Rome.

Was named after [[Augustus]] Caesar, the first Emperor of Rome.

==September==

===September===

Literally means "seventh month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Labor Day]] is in September.

Literally means "seventh month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Labor Day]] is in September.

==October==

===October===

Literally means "eighth month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Halloween]] takes place on the last day of October.

Literally means "eighth month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Halloween]] takes place on the last day of October.

==November==

===November===

Literally means "ninth month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Thanksgiving]] takes place in November.

Literally means "ninth month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Thanksgiving]] takes place in November.

==December==

===December===

Literally means "tenth month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Christmas]] takes place in December.  

Literally means "tenth month" in Latin in reference to its location in the old Roman Calendar.  [[Christmas]] takes place in December.  

==See Also==

==See Also==