Facts about Easter

1. 06

   Poland's tradition of Smigus-Dyngus involves spraying water on others on Easter Monday, a custom believed to derive from pagan spring fertility rites dating back centuries.

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2. 05

   Approximately 90 million chocolate bunnies are produced annually in the United States alone, making it the second-most popular chocolate holiday figure after Santa Claus.

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3. 04

   Palm Sunday, celebrated one week before Easter, commemorates Jesus's entry into Jerusalem when crowds waved palm branches, a tradition still observed in churches by distributing blessed palms to congregants.

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4. 03

   During the 1800s, chocolate Easter eggs became fashionable among wealthy European families after confectioners developed hollow egg molds, transforming Easter gift-giving traditions.

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5. 02

   In 2038, Easter will fall on April 25, the latest possible date it can occur, which last happened in 1943.

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6. 01

   The Council of Nicaea in 325 CE established that Easter would be calculated as the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox, creating a formula still used today.

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