- Easter gets its name from Eostre, an ancient pagan goddess of spring and fertility.
- The Easter Bunny tradition likely began in Germany, where children believed a magical hare laid colorful eggs.
- The world’s largest chocolate egg weighed over 15,000 pounds and was made in Italy in 2011.
- Eggs were originally dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ during early Christian celebrations.
- President Rutherford B. Hayes hosted the first White House Egg Roll in 1878.
- Easter is the second-largest candy holiday in the U.S., right after Halloween.
- Millions of Peeps marshmallow candies are sold every year, making them a holiday staple since 1953.
- The lunar calendar and spring equinox determine Easter’s date, causing it to shift yearly.
- In Sweden, children dress as witches instead of waiting for the Easter Bunny.
- Hot cross buns, a popular Easter treat, have been baked since the 12th century.
- In Australia, the Easter Bilby has replaced the bunny to raise awareness for the endangered bilby species.
- The tradition of egg rolling symbolizes the rolling away of the stone from Jesus’ tomb.
- Lilies, a symbol of purity and rebirth, became associated with the holiday in the 19th century.
- Germans set a world record in 2012 by decorating a tree with 82,404 eggs.
- New Yorkers have celebrated Easter parades since the late 1800s, drawing thousands of participants annually.