2016 USRETFA (FINAL) copy

Calendar Highlights
Unusual
2016
EVENTS
This year Easter falls on March 27th, which is early, but not as early as
it was in 2008, when this holiday was celebrated on March 23, the
earliest date since 1913 (and won’t be celebrated again that early until
the year 2228). But it is the last time Easter will be celebrated in March until
March 31, 2024.
Why?
Easter and the many church holidays related to it—such as Ash Wednesday,
Palm Sunday, and Good Friday—are called “moveable feasts,” because they
don’t fall on a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar, which follows the cycle
of the Sun and the seasons. Instead, these days follow a lunisolar calendar,
similar to Jewish holidays.
According to a fourth century ruling, the date of Easter is set for the first
Sunday following the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon of spring,
occurring on or shortly after the vernal equinox. March 22 is the earliest
Easter can occur on any given year, and April 25 is the latest.
By the way, the next time Easter will be celebrated that late is the year 2038.
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Last Easter in March until 2024?!
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC