In astronomy, the lunar or synodic month is the time required for the moon to
pass from one phase back to the same phase (e.g. full moon to full moon). It
averages 29.53059 days. It is from this that we get our calendar months.
History
In 45 B.C. Julius Caesar established the order of the months and days of the
week that we use today. He changed the name of the month Quintilis to Julius
(July) after himself. Caesar Augustus, who followed Julius Caesar as Emperor
of Rome, changed the name of Sextilis to Augustus (August).
Naming the months
January
Originally the eleventh month of the year it was changed to be the first month
in the 2nd Century B.C. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of gates
and doors, therefore of openings and beginnings.
February
The name is derived from the Latin word
februa
, signifying the festivals of purification celebrated in ancient Rome. It was
not originally included in the Roman calendar which began in March. According
to legend, King Numa Pompilius added the month of January to the beginning of
the year, and February to the end. It was placed second in the year in 452 B.C.
March
Originally the first month of the year. It was named after Mars, the Roman god
of war.
April
The Romans gave this month the name Aprilis, derived from
aperire
(to open), probably because it is the season when buds begin to open. It was
called Eostre (Easter) month by the Anglo-Saxons
May
The origin of the name is uncertain. Some believe it was named for Maia, the
Roman goddess of growth of plants. Others believe it was derived from
maiores
the month dedicated to old age.
June
As with May, the derivation of the name of the month is uncertain. Some claim
it was named after the Roman goddess Juno, queen of the gods. Others believe it
was named after the Roman clan, Junius. A third theory is that the name came
from the Latin word
juniores
, the month dedicated to youth.
July
Originally the fifth month, Qunitilis, it was renamed by Julius Caesar after
himself.
August
Originaly named Sextilis, the sixth month, Caesar Augustus renamed it after
himself. It is also believed by some that he did not want his month to be
shorter than Julius' month, so he took a day from February and added it to
August, which explains why February has only 28 days in a normal year.
September, October, November, December
Originally the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth months of the year, they were
named from the Latin words
septem, octo, novem
and
decem
, the Latin words for seven, eight, nine and ten.
