Historical & Cultural Significance
April was named after the Latin word “aperire,” which means “to open,” just like spring flowers opening their petals!
April (Month)
Don't want random?
Search name of person, animal, place, thing, etc.
Share
Facts About April (Month)
April was the second month in the ancient Roman calendar when March was considered the start of the year.
April was known as “Ostermonat” in Old German, meaning “Easter Month,” because Easter often falls during this time.
April was called ‘Eostermōnaþ’ by the Anglo-Saxons, named after the goddess Ēostre, whose festival was celebrated during this month.
April marks the beginning of the traditional Japanese school and business year.
April 1st became known as April Fools’ Day during the 1500s when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar.
April was sacred to the Roman goddess Venus, who represented love and beauty.
April contains important religious observances including Easter, Passover, and Ramadan in many years.
April was considered a lucky month for marriages in ancient Rome.
April is when the famous Paul Revere made his midnight ride in 1775, warning colonists that British troops were coming.
Natural World & Weather
April showers in the Northern Hemisphere help bring May flowers by providing essential spring rainfall.
April sees the return of many migratory birds to northern regions as temperatures warm up.
April is when many hibernating animals, like bears and groundhogs, become fully active again.
April typically marks the start of the tornado season in the United States‘ “Tornado Alley.”
April brings the flowering of cherry blossoms in Japan, a highly celebrated natural event.
April is when many baby animals are born in the wild, including bunnies, foxes, and deer.
April sees the emergence of early spring butterflies like the Painted Lady and Orange-tip.
April’s warming soil temperatures allow earthworms to become more active, helping garden growth.
April marks the start of the growing season for many crops in the Northern Hemisphere.
April typically sees the last frost in many Northern Hemisphere regions.
April brings increasing daylight hours, with about 13 hours of daylight in most Northern Hemisphere locations.
April often experiences rapid temperature changes as winter and spring weather patterns compete.
Modern Celebrations & Observances
April is National Poetry Month in the United States, celebrating the power of words.
April hosts Earth Day (April 22nd), when people worldwide celebrate environmental protection.
April includes World Health Day on April 7th, promoting global health awareness.
April celebrates International Children’s Book Day on Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday (April 2nd).
April contains World Art Day on Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday (April 15th).
April includes International Dance Day (April 29th), celebrating movement and expression.
April features National Library Week in many countries, promoting reading and literacy.
April celebrates World Heritage Day (April 18th), honoring cultural and historical sites.
April includes International Jazz Day (April 30th), celebrating this unique musical form.
April hosts National Garden Month in the United States, encouraging people to grow plants.
Astronomical & Calendar Features
April begins in the constellation of Aries and ends in Taurus!
April’s full moon is traditionally called the Pink Moon, named after pink ground phlox flowers.
April sees the sun moving higher in the Northern Hemisphere sky each day.
April contains the Lyrid meteor shower, which peaks around April 22nd each year.
April marks the sun’s entry into the zodiac sign of Taurus around the 20th.
April experiences rapidly increasing day length in the Northern Hemisphere.
April sees the Big Dipper appearing prominently in the northern night sky.
Traditions & Symbols
April’s birth flowers are the daisy and sweet pea, symbolizing innocence and pleasure.
April’s birthstone is the diamond, representing eternal love and strength.
April’s traditional zodiac signs are Aries (until April 19) and Taurus (from April 20).
April’s symbolic animal in many cultures is the rabbit, representing fertility and spring.
April is represented by the ram in the zodiac, symbolizing new beginnings.
April eggs are painted in many cultures as symbols of new life and rebirth.
April features white lilies as traditional Easter flowers in many Christian cultures.
Weather & Climate Patterns
April temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere jump all over the place! In the Arctic, it’s super cold, like -20°C, and near the equator, it’s toasty at 30°C. But in many places where we live, like New York or London, temperatures often swing from about 5°C to 20°C during the day — perfect for spring adventures!
April brings cherry blossom viewing season to many temperate regions worldwide.
April wind patterns help spread seeds and pollen for spring plant growth.
