April is the fourth month of the year in the
Gregorian and
Julian calendars. It is the first of four months to have a length of 30 days, and the second of five months to have a length of less than 31 days.
April is commonly associated with the season of
autumn in parts of the
Southern Hemisphere, and
spring in parts of the
Northern Hemisphere, where it is the seasonal equivalent to
October in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa.
History
![Breviarium Grimani - April](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Breviarium_Grimani_-_April.jpg)
The Romans gave this month the
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
name ''
Aprilis''
["April" in '' Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: ]George Newnes
Sir George Newnes, 1st Baronet (13 March 1851 – 9 June 1910) was a British publisher and editor and a founding figure in popular journalism. Newnes also served as a Liberal Party Member of Parliament for two decades. His company, George Newne ...
, 1961, Vol. 1, p. 497. but the derivation of this name is uncertain. The traditional etymology is from the verb ''aperire'', "to open", in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open", which is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of
άνοιξη (''ánixi'') (opening) for spring. Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to the goddess
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is sometimes called Earth's "sister" or "twin" planet as it is almost as large and has a similar composition. As an interior planet to Earth, Venus (like Mercury) appears in Earth's sky never f ...
, her
Veneralia
The Veneralia was an ancient Roman festival celebrated April 1 (the Kalends of ''Aprilis'') in honor of Venus Verticordia ("Venus the changer of hearts") and Fortuna Virilis ("Manly" or "Virile Fortune").
The cult of Venus Verticordia was estab ...
being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her equivalent Greek goddess name
Aphrodite
Aphrodite ( ; grc-gre, Ἀφροδίτη, Aphrodítē; , , ) is an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation. She was syncretized with the Roman goddess . Aphrodite's major symbols inclu ...
(''Aphros''), or from the
Etruscan name ''
Apru''.
Jacob Grimm suggests the name of a hypothetical god or hero, ''Aper'' or ''Aprus''.
April was the second month of the earliest
Roman calendar
The Roman calendar was the calendar used by the Roman Kingdom and Roman Republic. The term often includes the Julian calendar established by the reforms of the dictator Julius Caesar and emperor Augustus in the late 1stcenturyBC and sometim ...
,
before ''
Ianuarius
''Ianuarius'', fully ''Mensis Ianuarius'' ("month of Janus"), was the first month of the ancient Roman calendar, from which the Julian and Gregorian month of January derived. It was followed by ''Februarius'' ("February"). In the calendars of ...
'' and ''
Februarius'' were added by King
Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. It became the fourth month of the calendar year (the year when twelve months are displayed in order) during the time of the
decemvirs
The decemviri or decemvirs (Latin for "ten men") were some of the several 10-man commissions established by the Roman Republic.
The most important were those of the two Decemvirates, formally the " decemvirate with consular power for writing ...
about 450 BC, when it also was given 29 days. The 30th day was added during the reform of the calendar undertaken by
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, ...
in the mid-40s BC, which produced the Julian calendar.
The
Anglo-Saxons
The Anglo-Saxons were a Cultural identity, cultural group who inhabited England in the Early Middle Ages. They traced their origins to settlers who came to Britain from mainland Europe in the 5th century. However, the ethnogenesis of the Anglo- ...
called April ''ēastre-monaþ''. The
Venerable Bede
Bede ( ; ang, Bǣda , ; 672/326 May 735), also known as Saint Bede, The Venerable Bede, and Bede the Venerable ( la, Beda Venerabilis), was an English monk at the monastery of St Peter and its companion monastery of St Paul in the Kingdom o ...
says in ''
The Reckoning of Time
''The Reckoning of Time'' ( la, De temporum ratione) is an Anglo-Saxon era treatise written in Medieval Latin by the Northumbrian monk Bede in 725. The treatise includes an introduction to the traditional ancient and medieval view of the cosm ...
'' that this month ''ēastre'' is the root of the word
Easter
Easter,Traditional names for the feast in English are "Easter Day", as in the '' Book of Common Prayer''; "Easter Sunday", used by James Ussher''The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher, Volume 4'') and Samuel Pepys''The Diary of Samuel ...
. He further states that the month was named after a goddess ''
Eostre'' whose feast was in that month. It is also attested by
Einhard in his work,
Vita Karoli Magni
''Vita Karoli Magni'' (''Life of Charlemagne'') is a biography of Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor, written by Einhard.Ogg, p. 109 The ''Life of Charlemagne'' is a 33 chapter long account starting with the full of the Mero ...
.
St George's day is the twenty-third of the month; and
St Mark's Eve, with its superstition that the ghosts of those who are doomed to die within the year will be seen to pass into the church, falls on the twenty-fourth.
In
China the symbolic of the earth by the emperor and princes of the blood took place in their third month, which frequently corresponds to April.
In Finnish April is ''huhtikuu'', meaning ''
slash-and-burn
Slash-and-burn agriculture is a farming method that involves the cutting and burning of plants in a forest or woodland to create a field called a swidden. The method begins by cutting down the trees and woody plants in an area. The downed veget ...
moon'', when
gymnosperm
The gymnosperms ( lit. revealed seeds) are a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers, cycads, '' Ginkgo'', and gnetophytes, forming the clade Gymnospermae. The term ''gymnosperm'' comes from the composite word in el, γυμν ...
s for beat and burn clearing of farmland were felled.
In
Slovene, the most established traditional name is ''mali traven'', meaning the month when plants start growing. It was first written in 1466 in the
Škofja Loka manuscript.
The month Aprilis had 30 days;
Numa Pompilius made it 29 days long; finally
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, ...
’s calendar reform made it again 30 days long, which was not changed in the calendar revision of
Augustus Caesar in 8 BC. Additionally in the Spanish colony, Las Islas Filipinas (now known as the Philippines), the month Aprilis had a significant meaning to the life of the natives as it was associated to the influence of the Chinese during the Spanish colonial period. The importance of this aspect to the lives of the natives was formerly associated to an event called "Abril na Ikaw" as it is closely linked to the famous trader, April Yu.
In
Ancient Rome
In modern historiography, ancient Rome refers to Roman civilisation from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It encompasses the Roman Kingdom (753–509 BC ...
, the festival of
Cerealia
In ancient Roman religion, the Cerealia was the major festival celebrated for the grain goddess Ceres. It was held for seven days from mid- to late April. Various agricultural festivals were held in the "last half of April". The Cerealia celebra ...
was held for seven days from mid-to-late April, but exact dates are uncertain.
Feriae Latinae
The ''Feriae Latinae'' or Latin Festival was an ancient Roman religious festival held in April on the Alban Mount. The date varied, and was determined and announced by the consuls each year when they took office. It was one of the most ancient f ...
was also held in April, with the date varying. Other ancient Roman observances include
Veneralia
The Veneralia was an ancient Roman festival celebrated April 1 (the Kalends of ''Aprilis'') in honor of Venus Verticordia ("Venus the changer of hearts") and Fortuna Virilis ("Manly" or "Virile Fortune").
The cult of Venus Verticordia was estab ...
(April 1),
Megalesia
The Megalesia, Megalensia, or Megalenses Ludi, was a festival celebrated in Ancient Rome from April 4 to April 10, in honour of Cybele, known to Romans as ''Magna Mater'' (Great Mother). The name of the festival derives from Greek ''Megale'' (μϵ ...
(April 10–16),
Fordicidia (April 15),
Parilia (April 21),
Vinalia Urbana,
Robigalia, and
Serapia
The Serapia or Sarapia was a Roman Imperial religious festival devoted to the Greco-Egyptian god Serapis. It is found as an official holiday on 25 April as late as the Calendar of Filocalus in 354 AD. In farmers' almanacs ''( menologia rustica)' ...
were celebrated on (April 25).
Floralia was held April 27 during the
Republican era Republican Era can refer to:
* Minguo calendar, the official era of the Republic of China
It may also refer to any era in a country's history when it was governed as a republic or by a Republican Party. In particular, it may refer to:
* Roman Rep ...
, or April 28 on the
Julian calendar
The Julian calendar, proposed by Roman consul Julius Caesar in 46 BC, was a reform of the Roman calendar. It took effect on , by edict. It was designed with the aid of Greek mathematicians and astronomers such as Sosigenes of Alexandr ...
, and lasted until May 3. However, these dates do not correspond to the modern
Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The principal change was to space leap years dif ...
.
The
Lyrids
The April Lyrids are a meteor shower lasting from April 16 to April 25 each year. The radiant of the meteor shower is located in the constellation Lyra, near its brightest star, Vega. The peak of the shower is typically around April 22 each year. ...
meteor shower appears on April 16 – April 26 each year, with the peak generally occurring on April 22.
Eta Aquariids
The Eta Aquariids are a meteor shower associated with Halley's Comet.
The shower is visible from about April 19 to about May 28 each year with peak activity on or around May 5. Unlike most major annual meteor showers, there is no sharp peak for ...
meteor shower also appears in April. It is visible from about April 21 to about May 20 each year with peak activity on or around May 6. The
Pi Puppids
The pi Puppids are a meteor shower associated with the comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup.
The meteor stream was viewable around April 23 but only in years around the parent comet's perihelion date, the last being in 2003. However, as the planet Jupit ...
appear on April 23, but only in years around the parent comet's
perihelion
An apsis (; ) is the farthest or nearest point in the orbit of a planetary body about its primary body. For example, the apsides of the Earth are called the aphelion and perihelion.
General description
There are two apsides in any elli ...
date. The
Virginids The Virginids are a meteor shower. There are many major and minor meteor shower streams that occur during the Virginid Complex, including the Alpha Virginids, Gamma Virginids, Eta Virginids, Theta Virginids, Iota Virginids, Lambda Virginids, Mu Virg ...
also shower at various dates in April.
The "Days of April" (''journées d'avril'') is a name assigned in French history to a
series of insurrections at Lyons, Paris and elsewhere, against the government of
Louis Philippe
Louis Philippe (6 October 1773 – 26 August 1850) was King of the French from 1830 to 1848, and the penultimate monarch of France.
As Louis Philippe, Duke of Chartres, he distinguished himself commanding troops during the Revolutionary War ...
in 1834, which led to violent repressive measures, and to a famous trial known as the ''procès d'avril''.
April symbols
![Diamond](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Diamond.jpg)
April's
birthstone is the
diamond
Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, ...
.
*
![Daisy ntgr](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Daisy_ntgr.JPG)
![Sweet Pea (27711557850)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Sweet_Pea_%2827711557850%29.jpg)
The
birth flower
Floriography (language of flowers) is a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. Meaning has been attributed to flowers for thousands of years, and some form of floriography has been practiced in tradition ...
is typically listed as either the
common daisy
''Bellis perennis'' (), the daisy, is a European species of the family Asteraceae, often considered the archetypal species of the name daisy. To distinguish this species from other plants known as daisies, it is sometimes qualified as common dais ...
''(Bellis perennis)'' or the
sweet pea
The sweet pea, ''Lathyrus odoratus'', is a flowering plant in the genus ''Lathyrus'' in the family (biology), family Fabaceae (legumes), native plant, native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands.
It is an annual plant, annual climbi ...
.
* The
zodiac
The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. The pat ...
signs for the month of April are
Aries
Aries may refer to:
*Aries (astrology), an astrological sign
*Aries (constellation), a constellation of stars in the zodiac
Arts, entertainment and media
* ''Aries'' (album), by Luis Miguel, 1993
* ''Aries'' (EP), by Alice Chater, 2020
* "Aries" ...
(until April 19) and
Taurus
Taurus is Latin for 'bull' and may refer to:
* Taurus (astrology), the astrological sign
* Taurus (constellation), one of the constellations of the zodiac
* Taurus (mythology), one of two Greek mythological characters named Taurus
* '' Bos tauru ...
(April 20 onwards).
[. Signs in UT/GMT for 1950–2030.]
April observances
''This list does not necessarily imply either official status nor general observance.''
Month-long observances
![Kobelwald Kirche Bild Chor](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Kobelwald_Kirche_Bild_Chor.JPG)
*In
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
,
Protestant
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century against what its followers perceived to b ...
and
Orthodox
Orthodox, Orthodoxy, or Orthodoxism may refer to:
Religion
* Orthodoxy, adherence to accepted norms, more specifically adherence to creeds, especially within Christianity and Judaism, but also less commonly in non-Abrahamic religions like Neo-pa ...
tradition
A tradition is a belief or behavior (folk custom) passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays or ...
, April is the Month of the
Resurrection of the Lord. April and March are the months in which is celebrated the moveable
Feast
A banquet (; ) is a formal large meal where a number of people consume food together. Banquets are traditionally held to enhance the prestige of a host, or reinforce social bonds among joint contributors. Modern examples of these purposes i ...
of
Easter Sunday
Easter,Traditional names for the feast in English are "Easter Day", as in the ''Book of Common Prayer''; "Easter Sunday", used by James Ussher''The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher, Volume 4'') and Samuel Pepys''The Diary of Samuel P ...
.
*
National Pet Month ''National Pet Month'' is a celebration of the benefits that pets bring to people's lives - and vice versa. It is observed annually in the United States in May and during the month of April in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great B ...
(
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
)
United States
*
Arab American Heritage Month
National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) takes place in April. It celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.
History
Beginning in the 1990s, Arab A ...
*Autism Awareness Month
*
Cancer Control Month
Cancer Control Month is a month-long United States observance established by .
2013 edition
(a) The president is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
:(1) designating April as Cancer Control Month;
:(2) to invite each year the chief ...
*
Community College
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries: many community colleges have an "open enrollment" for students who have graduated from high school (also known as senior se ...
Awareness Month
*
Confederate History Month
Confederate History Month is a month designated by seven state governments in the Southern United States for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the history of the Confederate States of America. April has traditionally been chosen, as Confeder ...
(
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County
, LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham
, area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...
,
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
,
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
,
Louisiana
Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...
,
Mississippi
Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
,
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
)
*
Donate Life Month
*
Financial Literacy Month
Financial Literacy Month is recognized annually in Canada in November, and National Financial Literacy Month was recognized in the United States in April 2004, Sponsored by Sen. Daniel Akaka D-HI. in an effort to highlight the importance of financ ...
*
Jazz Appreciation Month
*
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
* Month of the Military Child
*
National Poetry Month National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry which takes place each April, was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. The Academy of Amer ...
*
National Poetry Writing Month
*
Occupational Therapy Month
*
National Prevent Child Abuse Month
*
National Volunteer Month
*
Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month
*Rosacea Awareness Month
*
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. It is observed in April.
Each year during the month of April, s ...
United States Food months
*Fresh Florida Tomato Month
*National Food Month
*National Grilled Cheese Month
*National Pecan Month
*National Soft Pretzel Month
*National Soyfoods Month
Non-Gregorian observances: 2021
''(All Baha'i, Islamic, and Jewish observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.)''
*
List of observances set by the Bahá'í calendar
*
List of observances set by the Chinese calendar
*
List of observances set by the Hebrew calendar
All observances begin at sunset the day prior to the Gregorian date listed unless otherwise noted, and end on nightfall of the date in question, which is defined as the appearance of three stars in the sky. On leap years (which occur every 2– ...
*
List of observances set by the Islamic calendar
All Islamic observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.
Holidays for 1441 (2019-2020)
{, class="wikitable"
!width=20%, Date on Islamic Calendar
!width=20%, Gre ...
*
List of observances set by the Solar Hijri calendar
Dates in this table are determined by when the March Equinox falls. It will fall on March 20 from 2018-2023.
{, class="wikitable"
, - style="background:#efefef;"
! Holiday date !!Holiday name !! Description !!March equinox on March 19 !!March Eq ...
Movable observances, 2021 dates
*
Youth Homelessness Matters Day
Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD), according to the National Youth Coalition for Housing the 2018 Youth Homelessness Matters day was held on 18 April 2018. YHMD is an annual day which seeks to highlight the issue of youth homelessness in Austra ...
*
National Health Day (
Kiribati
Kiribati (), officially the Republic of Kiribati ( gil, ibaberikiKiribati),[Kiribati]
''The Wor ...
): April 6
*
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
): April 13–19
*
National Park Week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
): April 18–26
*
Crime Victims' Rights Week
National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an annual commemoration in the United States that promotes victims' rights and services. The week is marked by an award ceremony held in Washington, D.C., in which individuals and organizations that demonstra ...
(
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
): April 19–25
*
National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration observed in many countries, to promote and show appreciation for volunteerism and volunteering. In the United States, it is organized by the Points of Light
Points of Light is an internationa ...
: April 19–25
*
European Immunization Week European Immunization Week (EIW) is an annual regional initiative, coordinated by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), to promote immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases since its launch in 2008. EIW acti ...
: April 20–26
*
Day of Silence
Day of Silence is GLSEN's annual day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students. In the United States, students take a day-lo ...
(
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
): April 24
*
Pay It Forward Day: April 28 (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
*
Denim Day
Denim Day takes place on the last Wednesday of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This day of action and awareness is an event in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual viole ...
: April 29 (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
*
Day of Dialogue
In the United States, the Day of Dialogue (formerly Day of Truth) is the Christian fundamentalist group Focus on the Family's annual event to oppose LGBTQ rights.
It was founded by the Alliance Defense Fund in 2005 to oppose the Day of Silence, ...
(
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*
Vaccination Week In The Americas
Vaccination Week In The Americas (VWA) is an annual public health campaign by the member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to promote equity and access to immunization. It is marked each year during the last week of April.
Sin ...
*See: List of movable Western Christian observances
*See: List of movable Eastern Christian observances
First Wednesday: April 1
*Childhelp#Community outreach, National Day of Hope (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
First Saturday: April 4
*Ulcinj Municipality Day (Ulcinj, Montenegro)
First Sunday: April 5
*Daylight saving time ends (Australia and New Zealand)
*Geologists Day (former Soviet Union countries)
*Kanamara Matsuri (Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Kawasaki, Japan)
*Opening Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
First full week: April 5–11
*National Library Week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**National Library Week, National Library Workers Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
) (Tuesday of National Library week, April 4)
**Bookmobile#National Bookmobile Day, National Bookmobile Day (Wednesday of National Library week, April 5)
*American Public Health Association#National Public Health Week, National Public Health Week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International#Events, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
= Second Wednesday: April 8
=
*International Day of Pink
= Second Thursday: April 9
=
*National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
= Second Friday of April: April 10
=
*Public holidays in Liberia, Fast and Prayer Day (Liberia)
*Public holidays in Russia#Popular holidays which are not public holidays, Air Force Day (Russia)
*List of festivals and events in Kamakura#April, Kamakura Matsuri at Tsurugaoka Hachiman (Kamakura, Japan), lasts until third Sunday.
Second Sunday: April 12
*Children's Day#Peru, Children's Day (Peru)
Week of April 14: April 12–18
*Pan American Day, Pan-American Week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
Third Wednesday: April 15
*Administrative Professionals' Day (New Zealand)
Third Thursday: April 16
*National High Five Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
Third Saturday: April 18
*Record Store Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
Last full week of April: April 19–25
*Administrative Professionals' Day, Administrative Professionals Week (Malaysia, North America)
*World Immunization Week
Week of April 23: April 19–25
*Canada Book Day, Canada Book Week (Canada)
Week of the New Moon: April 19–25
*National Dark-Sky Week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
Third Monday: April 20
*Patriots' Day (Massachusetts, Maine,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*Queen's Official Birthday#Other countries and territories, Queen's Official Birthday (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha)
*Sechseläuten (Zürich, Switzerland)
= Wednesday of last full week of April: April 22
=
*Administrative Professionals' Day (Hong Kong, North America)
First Thursday after April 18: April 23
*First Day of Summer (Iceland)
= Fourth Thursday: April 23
=
*Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
= Last Friday: April 24
=
*Arbor Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*Día de la Chupina (Rosario, Argentina)
Last Friday in April to first Sunday in May: April 24-May 3
*Arbor Day, Arbour Week in Ontario
= Last Saturday: April 25
=
*Children's Day (Colombia)
*Rebuilding Together#National Rebuilding Day, National Rebuilding Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*The Fragrance Foundation#National Sense of Smell Day, National Sense of Smell Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
= Last Sunday: April 26
=
*Flag Day (Åland, Finland)
*Public holidays in Turkmenistan, Turkmen Racing Horse Festival (Turkmenistan)
= April 27 (moves to April 26 if April 27 is on a Sunday): April 27
=
*Koningsdag (Netherlands)
= Last Monday: April 27
=
*Confederate Memorial Day (
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County
, LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham
, area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...
, Georgia (U.S. state), and
Mississippi
Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
= Last Wednesday: April 29
=
*International Noise Awareness Day
Fixed observances
*April 1
**April Fools' Day
**Arbor Day#Tanzania, Arbor Day (Tanzania)
**Civil Service Day (Thailand)
**Public holidays in Cyprus, Cyprus National Day (Cyprus)
**Edible Book Day
**Fossil Fools Day
**Kha b-Nisan (Assyrian people)
**National Science Day (Thailand), National Civil Service Day (Thailand)
**Odisha Day (Odisha, India)
**Start of National Prostate Health Month#Related observances, Testicular Cancer Awareness week (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
), April 1–7
**Season for Nonviolence January 30 – April 4
*April 2
**International Children's Book Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**Malvinas Day (Argentina)
**List of food days#April, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**Thai Heritage Conservation Day (Thailand)
**Unity of Peoples of Russia and Belarus Day (Belarus)
**World Autism Awareness Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
*April 3
*April 4
**Children's Day (Hong Kong, Taiwan)
**Independence Day (Senegal)
**International observance#April, International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
**Peace Day (Angola)
*April 5
**Children's Day (Palestinian territories)
**List of food days#April, National Caramel Day (United States)
**Sikmogil (South Korea)
*April 6
**Public holidays in Thailand, Chakri Day (Thailand)
**National Beer Day (United Kingdom)
**New Beer's Eve (United States)
**Tartan Day (United States & Canada)
*April 7
**Flag Day (Slovenia)
**Genocide Memorial Day (Rwanda), and its related observance:
***International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Rwanda Genocide (United Nations)
**Motherhood and Beauty Day (Armenia)
**National Beer Day (United States)
**Thomas Roy#List of days, No Housework Day
**Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day (Tanzania)
**Public holidays in Mozambique, Women's Day (Mozambique)
**World Health Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
*April 8
**Buddha's Birthday (Japan only, other countries follow different calendars)
**Feast of the Third Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law, Feast of the First Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law (Thelema)
**International Romani Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**Thomas Roy#List of days, Trading Cards for Grown-ups Day
*April 9
**Anniversary of the German Invasion of Denmark (Denmark)
**Baghdad Liberation Day (Iraqi Kurdistan)
**Constitution Day (Kosovo)
**Day of National Unity (Georgia)
**Day of the Finnish Language (Finland)
**Day of Valor or ''Araw ng Kagitingan'' (Philippines)
**Feast of the Second Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law (Thelema)
**List of food days#Global or International, International Banshtai Tsai Day
**Martyr's Day (Tunisia)
**National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day (United States)
**Ásatrú holidays#The Troth, Remembrance for Haakon Sigurdsson (The Troth)
**Vimy Ridge Day (Canada)
*April 10
**Day of the Builder (Azerbaijan)
**Feast of the Third Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law (Thelema)
**Siblings Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
*April 11
**Juan Santamaría Day, anniversary of his death in the Second Battle of Rivas. (Costa Rica)
**International Louie Louie Day
**List of food days#April, National Cheese Fondue Day (United States)
**World Parkinson's Day
*April 12
**Children's Day (Bolivia and Haiti)
**Commemoration of first human in space by Yuri Gagarin:
***Cosmonautics Day (Russia)
***International Day of Human Space Flight
***Yuri's Night (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**Halifax Day (North Carolina)
**List of food days#April, National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (United States)
**National Redemption Day (Liberia)
**Thomas Roy#List of days, Walk on Your Wild Side Day
*April 13
**Jefferson's Birthday (United States)
**Coma Patients' Day, Katyn Memorial Day (Poland)
**Teachers' Day#By country, Teacher's Day (Ecuador)
**First day of Thingyan (Myanmar) (April 13–16)
**Remembrance days in Slovakia, Unfairly Prosecuted Persons Day (Slovakia)
*April 14
**Okinawan festivals and observances, ʔabusibaree (Okinawa Islands, Japan)
**B. R. Ambedkar, Ambedkar Jayanti (India)
**Black Day (South Korea)
**Commemoration of Anfal Genocide Against the Kurds (Iraqi Kurdistan)
**Dhivehi Language Day (Maldives)
**Day of Mologa (Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia)
**Day of the Georgian language (Georgia (country))
**Emancipation Day, Season of Emancipation (April 14 to August 23) (Barbados)
**N'Ko Alphabet Day (Mande languages, Mande speakers)
**Pohela Boishakh (Bangladesh)
**Pana Sankranti (Odisha, India)
**Puthandu (Tamils) (India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka)
**Second day of Songkran (Thailand) (Thailand)
**Pan American Day (several countries in the Americas)
**The first day of Takayama Festival, Takayama Spring Festival (Takayama, Gifu, Japan)
**Vaisakh (Punjab (region)), (India and Pakistan)
**Youth Day (Angola)
*April 15
**Day of the Sun (North Korea).
**Hillsborough disaster#Memorials, Hillsborough Disaster Memorial (Liverpool, England)
**Jackie Robinson Day (United States)
**Pohela Boishakh (West Bengal, India) (Note: celebrated on April 14 in Bangladesh)
**Last day of Songkran (Thailand) (Thailand)
**Tax Day, the official deadline for filing an individual Tax return (United States), tax return (or requesting an extension). (United States, Philippines)
**Universal Day of Culture
**World Art Day
*April 16
**Birthday of José de Diego (Puerto Rico, United States)
**Birthday of Queen Margrethe II (Denmark)
**Emancipation Day (Washington, D.C., United States)
**Foursquare Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**Memorial Day for the Victims of the Holocaust (Hungary)
**List of awareness days#April, National Healthcare Decisions Day (United States)
**Remembrance of Chemical Attack on Balisan and Sheikh Wasan (Iraqi Kurdistan)
**World Voice Day
*April 17
**Thomas Roy#List of days, Blah Blah Blah Day
**Evacuation Day (Syria)
**FAO Day (Iraq)
**Flag Day (American Samoa)
**Malbec World Day
**List of food days#April, National Cheeseball Day (United States)
**List of food days#Italy, National Espresso Day (Italy)
**Public holidays in Gabon, Women's Day (Gabon)
**World Hemophilia Day
*April 18
**Anniversary of the Victory over the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of the Ice, 1242 (Russia)
**Army Day (Iran)
**Coma Patients' Day (Poland)
**Día del Amigo, Friend's Day (Brazil)
**Independence Day (Zimbabwe)
**International Day For Monuments and Sites
**Invention Day (Japan)
**Thomas Roy#List of days, Pet Owner's Independence Day
*April 19
**Army Day (Brazil)
**Beginning of the Independence Movement (Venezuela)
**History of lysergic acid diethylamide#"Bicycle Day", Bicycle Day
**Dutch-American Friendship Day (United States)
**Holocaust Remembrance Day (Poland)
**Indian Day (Brazil)
**King Mswati III's birthday (Eswatini)
**Landing of the 33 Patriots Day (Uruguay)
**List of food days#April, National Garlic Day (United States)
**List of food days#April, National Rice Ball Day (United States)
**Primrose Day (United Kingdom)
*April 20
**420 (cannabis culture) (International)
**UN Chinese Language Day (United Nations)
*April 21
**Muster (Texas A&M University)#A. and M. Day, A&M Day (Texas A&M University)
**Civil Services of India#Civil Services Day, Civil Service Day (India)
**Public holidays in Russia#Regional public holidays, Day of Local Self-Government (Russia)
**Grounation Day (Rastafari movement)
**Public holidays in Mexico#Civic holidays, Heroic Defense of Veracruz (Mexico)
**Public holidays in North Korea, Kang Pan-sok's Birthday (North Korea)
**Kartini Day (Indonesia)
**Public holidays in Russia, Local Self Government Day (Russia)
**Arbor day#Kenya, National Tree Planting Day (Kenya)
**San Jacinto Day (
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
)
**Queen's Official Birthday#Other countries and territories, Queen's Official Birthday (Falkland Islands)
**Public holidays in Brazil, Tiradentes' Day (Brazil)
**Vietnam Book Day (Vietnam)
*April 22
**Discovery Day (Brazil)
**Earth Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
) and its related observance:
***International Mother Earth Day
**Holocaust Memorial Days, Holocaust Remembrance Day (Serbia)
**List of food days#April, National Jelly Bean Day (United States)
*April 23
**Castile and León Day (Castile and León, Spain)
**German Apples Day, German Beer Day (Germany)
**Conch Republic, Independence Day (Conch Republic, Key West, Florida)
**International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day
**Khongjom Day (Manipur, India)
**National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Turkey and Northern Cyprus)
**Navy Day (China)
**St George's Day (England) and its related observances:
***Canada Book Day (Canada)
***St George's Day#Catalonia, La Diada de Sant Jordi (Catalonia, Spain)
***World Book Day
**UN English Language Day (United Nations)
*April 24
**Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (Armenia)
**Concord Day (Niger)
**Children's Day (Zambia)
**Democracy Day (Nepal)
**Fashion Revolution Day
**Flag Day (Ireland)
**International Sculpture Day
**Kapyong Day (Australia)
**Labour Day#Bangladesh, Labour Safety Day (Bangladesh)
**National Panchayati Raj Day (India)
**List of food days#April, National Pigs in a Blanket Day (United States)
**Republic Day (The Gambia)
**St Mark's Eve (Western Christianity)
**World Day for Laboratory Animals
*April 25
**Anniversary of the First Cabinet of Kurdish Government (Iraqi Kurdistan)
**Anzac Day (Australia, New Zealand)
**Arbor Day (Germany)
**DNA Day
**Feast of Saint Mark (Western Christianity)
**Flag Day (Faroe Islands)
**Public holidays in Eswatini, Flag Day (Eswatini)
**Freedom Day (Portugal)
**Liberation Day (Italy)
**Rogation Day, Major Rogation (Western Christianity)
**Military Foundation Day (North Korea)
**List of food days#April, National Zucchini Bread Day (United States)
**Parental Alienation Awareness Day
**Red Hat Society Day
**Sinai Liberation Day (Egypt)
**World Malaria Day
*April 26
**Chernobyl disaster related observances:
***International Duties Memorial Day, Memorial Day of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes (Russia)
***Day of Remembrance of the Chernobyl tragedy (Belarus)
**Confederate Memorial Day (
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
, United States)
**Hug A Friend Day
**Thomas Roy#List of days, Hug an Australian Day
**Lesbian Visibility Day
**List of food days#April, National Pretzel Day (United States)
**Old Permic alphabet, Old Permic Alphabet Day
**Union Day (Tanzania)
**World Intellectual Property Day
*April 27
**Public holidays in Russia, Day of Russian Parliamentarism (Russia)
**Day of the Uprising Against the Occupying Forces (Slovenia)
**Flag Day (Moldova)
**Freedom Day (South Africa)
***UnFreedom Day
**Independence Day (Sierra Leone)
**Public holidays in Togo, Independence Day (Togo)
**National Day (Mayotte)
**National Day (Sierra Leone)
**List of food days#April, National Prime Rib Day (United States)
**Flag flying days in Finland, National Veterans' Day (Finland)
*April 28
**Lawyers' Day (Orissa, India)
**Mujahideen Victory Day (Afghanistan)
**National Day (Sardinia, Italy)
**National Heroes Day (Barbados), National Heroes Day (Barbados)
**Restoration of Sovereignty Day (Japan)
**Workers' Memorial Day, Workers' Memorial Day and World Day for Safety and Health at Work (International observances, international)
***National Day of Mourning (Canada), National Day of Mourning (Canada)
*April 29
**Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (United Nations)
**International Dance Day (UNESCO)
**Public holidays in Denmark#Other special days, Princess Bedike's Birthday (Denmark)
**List of food days#April, National Shrimp Scampi Day (United States)
**Shōwa Day, traditionally the start of the Golden Week (Japan), Golden Week holiday period, which is April 29 and May 3–5. (Japan)
*April 30
**Armed Forces Day (Georgia (country))
**Flag flying days in Sweden, Birthday of the King (Sweden)
**Battle of Camarón, Camarón Day (French Foreign Legion)
**Children's Day (Mexico)
**Public holidays in Thailand, Consumer Protection Day (Thailand)
**Honesty Day (United States)
**International Jazz Day (UNESCO)
**Martyrs' Day#Pakistan, Martyr's Day (Pakistan)
**May Eve, the eve of the first day of summer in the Northern hemisphere ''(see May 1)'':
***Beltane begins at sunset in the Northern hemisphere, Samhain begins at sunset in the Southern hemisphere. (Neo-Druidism, Neo-Druidic Wheel of the Year)
***Carodejnice (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
***Walpurgis Night (Central and Northern Europe)
**Persian Gulf naming dispute#National Persian Gulf Day, National Persian Gulf Day (Iran)
**Reunification Day (Vietnam)
**Public holidays in Russia#Popular holidays which are not public holidays, Russian State Fire Service Day (Russia)
**Tax return (Canada), Tax Day (Canada)
**Teachers' Day (Paraguay)
See also
* Germanic calendar
* List of historical anniversaries
* Sinking of the RMS Titanic, Sinking of the RMS ''Titanic''
References
External links
National Arbor Day Foundation
{{Authority control
April,
Months, *04