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Halloween
- The Story Behind Halloween – Lesson
- The Story Behind Halloween – Quiz
- Are You Too Old To Go Trick-Or-Treating? – Lesson
- Look out for the Blue Pumpkin – Lesson
- Is the White House Haunted? – Lesson
- Is the White House Haunted? – Quiz
- Mummies Discovered in Egypt – But That’s Nothing to Fear – Lesson
- Salem Witch Trials: When Being Called a Witch Meant Death – Lesson
- Halloween Around the World: It Isn’t Just Costumes and Candy – Lesson
- Halloween Around the World: It Isn’t Just Costumes and Candy – Quiz
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Thanksgiving
- The Evolution of Thanksgiving – Lesson
- The Evolution of Thanksgiving – Quiz
- The Political Roots of Thanksgiving – Lesson
- The Political Roots of Thanksgiving – Quiz
- Turkey for Thanksgiving – But Why? – Lesson
- Turkey for Thanksgiving – But Why? – Quiz
- This Thanksgiving, Consider Helping the Less Fortunate – Lesson
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Christmas
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Easter
- Good Friday: Christ Carried Sin to the Grave – And Left It There – Lesson
- Good Friday: Christ Carried Sin to the Grave – And Left It There – Quiz
- Easter Traditions: From Rabbits to Egg Jarping – Lesson
- Easter Traditions: From Rabbits to Egg Jarping – Quiz
- Easter Monday and Egg Rolling at the White House – Lesson
- Easter Monday and Egg Rolling at the White House – Quiz
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Federal Holidays and Observances
- New Year’s Day: Just as Political as Anything Else – Lesson
- This Presidents’ Day, Let’s Remember the Weird – Lesson
- Astounding Facts about US Presidents – Lesson
- Astounding Facts about US Presidents – Quiz
- Memorial Day: A Time of Honor and Respect – Lesson
- Memorial Day: A Time of Honor and Respect – Quiz
- From Decoration Day to Memorial Day – Lesson
- From Decoration Day to Memorial Day – Quiz
- Who Was the Poppy Lady, Moina Belle Michael? – Lesson
- Who Was the Poppy Lady, Moina Belle Michael? – Quiz
- The Origins of Flag Day – Lesson
- The Origins of Flag Day – Quiz
- America’s Flag – An Evolved Banner for an Ever-Changing Country – Lesson
- America’s Flag – An Evolved Banner for an Ever-Changing Country – Quiz
- Celebrating the 4th of July – Lesson
- Celebrating the 4th of July – Quiz
- Who Should We Thank for Labor Day? – Lesson
- Who Should We Thank for Labor Day? – Quiz
- Constitution and Citizenship Day – Lesson
- Constitution Day – The First Day of Constitution Week – Lesson
- Constitution Day – The First Day of Constitution Week – Quiz
- The Political Origins of Columbus Day – Lesson
- The Political Origins of Columbus Day – Quiz
- Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? – Lesson
- Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? – Quiz
- Veterans Day: A Day to Honor Those Who Served – Lesson
- Veterans Day: A Day to Honor Those Who Served – Quiz
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Other Traditions
- Valentine’s Day Love Poems – Lesson
- Love Poems for Valentine’s Day – Lesson
- Who Was St. Valentine? – Lesson
- Who Was St. Valentine? – Quiz
- No Love for Valentine’s Day in the East – Lesson
- No Love for Valentine’s Day in the East – Quiz
- Beware the Ides of March – But Why? – Lesson
- Beware the Ides of March – But Why? – Quiz
- St. Patrick’s Day: A Celebration of the Irish – Lesson
- St. Patrick’s Day: A Celebration of the Irish – Quiz
- May Day: Dancing ‘Round the Maypole – Lesson
- May Day: Dancing ‘Round the Maypole – Quiz
- Cinco de Mayo: Celebrating Mexico’s Victory in Puebla – Lesson
- Cinco de Mayo: Celebrating Mexico’s Victory in Puebla – Quiz
- Mother’s Day: The Anti-War Effort Turned Holiday – Lesson
- Mother’s Day: The Anti-War Effort Turned Holiday – Quiz
- Father’s Day: More Than Just a Day for Ties – Lesson
- Father’s Day: More Than Just a Day for Ties – Quiz
- Presidential Fathers: Responsible for Their Kids and the Country – Lesson
- Presidential Fathers: Responsible for Their Kids and the Country – Quiz
- Proof of the Hanukkah Story Found? – Lesson
- Proof of the Hanukkah Story Found? – Quiz
- Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue – April Celebrates Poetry, Too – Lesson
- Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue – April Celebrates Poetry, Too – Quiz
Good Friday: Christ Carried Sin to the Grave – And Left It There – Lesson
Jesus took the sin of the world upon himself, paying the price no one else could.
For Christians, Good Friday is one of the most important holidays of the year because it represents Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to wash away our sins. It was the day he was crucified, only to rise again on Sunday, which we call Easter. In the past, the day of Jesus’ death was known by other terms, such as Black Friday, Holy Friday, and Great Friday. It is always observed two days before Easter.
It was said Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews, which was against the beliefs of the Jewish religious authority. The high council (called the Sanhedrin) called for his arrest.
One of Jesus’ apostles, Judas Iscariot, betrayed him for 30 silver coins. Judas identified Jesus among a group of people in the Garden of Gethsemane, by kissing him and calling him “Rabbi.” Christ was arrested and taken to Caiaphas the High Priest, who charged him with blasphemy. Jesus was then sent to Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor, who asked a crowd what to do with the prisoner. After Christ did not deny any of the charges, the attendees demanded Jesus’ execution.
No one really knows what motivated Judas to betray his friend, but it’s said that he regretted his choice, and tried to return the silver coins to the priests who paid him.
Jesus was taken to the Roman courtyard by the soldiers, where a crown of thorns was set upon his head. He had to carry his own cross to Golgotha, where he was crucified. After Jesus passed, the skies turned dark for three hours, an earthquake rippled across the land, and the veil in the temple in Jerusalem tore from top to bottom.
Observing Good Friday
As part of the Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter, Christians honor Jesus’ sacrifice in different ways throughout the world. In Bermuda, for example, locals fly kites to represent Christ’s ascension to Heaven. In Jerusalem, Christians walk the exact trail that Jesus did on the day he was crucified.
Palm Sunday begins the Holy Week. Many Christians have already been participating in Lent, though, which lasts about six weeks. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends three days before Easter Sunday. During Lent, participants can choose to give up a luxury item, such as eating chocolate. Some of the stauncher worshipers will follow the strict fasting diet of no meat, eggs, fish, or fats.
According to Roman Catholic lore, on Good Friday, people should avoid eating meat (fish is okay). Traditionally, meat is associated with celebrations and feasts, so it is considered a worthy sacrifice for this holy day. In fact, several churches suggest that fish, and not meat, should be eaten every Friday.
Good Friday is not considered a holiday in every US state but some businesses do close in observance. Other countries have mandatory closing of certain places. For example, in Germany, it is forbidden to go horseback riding or dance, and any businesses that don’t follow this rule could be fined.
The faithful often attend services between noon and 3 p.m., the time during which Christ was crucified.