Event Calendar

April Fool's Day sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons while others believe it stems from the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar which replaced the Julian Calendar.

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is celebrated annually on April 2nd. This food holiday is a classic favorite of many. The average American will have eaten over 2000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from high school. It is thought to be that the first reference of peanut butter paired with jelly on bread, was published in the United States in 1901. Peanut butter was considered a delicacy in the early 1900's, and was only served in New York City’s finest tea rooms. In the late 1920's, the price of peanut butter declined, and the sandwich became very popular with children. During World War II, both peanut butter and jelly were part of the US soldiers military ration list. Today, it is a popular staple in most households--loved by most everyone.

April’s Full Moon, the Full Pink Moon, heralds the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon. These names were used by early Colonial Americans—who learned the names from the local Native Americans. The name itself usually described some activity that occurred during that time in their location. A full moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the geocentric apparent longitudes of the Sun and Moon differ by 180 degrees; the Moon is then in opposition with the Sun. At this time, as seen by viewers on Earth, the hemisphere of the Moon that is facing the earth (the near side) is fully illuminated by the Sun and appears round. Only during a full moon is the opposite hemisphere of the Moon, which is not visible from Earth (the far side), completely unilluminated. As a lunar month is about 29.531, the period between full moons can be either 29 or 30 days.

In the Catholic Church, Good Friday is the day which commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the act that brought salvation to all who believe. It is the culmination of Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday, and it takes place two days before Easter Sunday.

Formerly known as Secretary's Day is an unofficial holiday observed on the Wednesday of the last full week of April. It was created to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, social gatherings, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts of appreciation. In the United States, the day is often celebrated by giving one's assistant such gifts as flowers, candy, trinkets, lunch at a restaurant, or time off.

Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. Morton first proposed Arbor Day as a tree planting holiday in 1872 at a meeting of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture. On the first Arbor Day, April 10 1874, prizes were offered to counties and to individuals for properly planting the largest number of trees. It was claimed that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on that day.