15 June, 2011

Names of the months



The names of the months in English came from Latin words.


January
Januarius – this month was dedicated to janus. The roman god of doors. Janus had two faces, one looking back at the old year and the other looking to the new year.
July
Julius – after Julius Caesar. This month was named in caeser’s honour by markantony in 44 BC. Previously this month was called Quintilis from the word quintus, five, as it was the fifth month in the roman calendar.
February
Februarius - Februa was the roman purification festival, which took place at this time of year.
August
Augustus – named in 8 BC in honour of Emperor Augustus.
March
Martius - from mars, The roman god of war
September
Septem – means seven, as it was the seventh month in the roman calendar.
April
Aprilis – from aperire, latin for open, because plants begin to open during this month.
October
Octo – eight (as in octopus, which has eight legs) the eighth month of the roman calendar.
May
Malius – probably comes from mala, the roman goddess of growth and increase.
November
Novem – nine,the ninth month of the roman calendar.
June
Junius – either from a roman family name junius, or perhaps after the goddess juno.
December
Decem – ten, the tenth month of the roman cale

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