Red Letter Days

March 20, 2008

Vernal Equinox, 7:44 A.M. EDT

The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning "equal night." The vernal, or spring, equinox is the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from south to north, signaling the beginning of nature's renewal in the Northern Hemisphere.


The term "red-letter day" originates with the tradition of marking holy days in a church calendar in red. We use the term here to designate days of special significance in each month -- holidays, astronomical happenings, anniversaries of historic events, and days with memorable folklore attached. Information is drawn from the library of The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Every month you'll find a calendar of these "red-letter days" on the front page of Almanac.com.

Make money for your school, church, or club with the NEW Almanac Fund-raiser program!

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