January -- Janus's month Middle English Januarie Latin Januarius "of Janus" Latin Janu(s) "Janus" + -arius "ary (pertaining to)" Latin Januarius mensis "month of Janus" Janus is the Roman god of gates and doorways, depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. His festival month is January.
Januarius had 29 days, until Julius when it became 31 days long. February -- month of Februa Middle English Februarius Latin Februarius "of Februa" Latin Februa(s) "Februa" + -arius "ary (pertaining to)" Latin Februarius mensis "month of Februa" Latin dies februatus "day of purification" Februarius had 28 days, until circa 450 BC when it had 23 or 24 days on some of every second year, until Julius when it had 29 days on every fourth year and 28 days otherwise. Februa is the Roman festival of purification, held on February fifteenth. It is possibly of Sabine origin. Intercalaris -- inter-calendar month Latin Intercalaris "inter-calendar" Latin Mercedonius (popular name) "?" Intercalaris had 27 days until the month was abolished by Julius. March -- Mars' month Middle English March(e) Anglo-French March(e) Old English Martius Latin Martius "of Mars" Latin Marti(s) "Mars" + -us (adj. suffix) Latin Martius mensis "month of Mars" Martius has always had 31 days. March was the original beginning of the year, and the time for the resumption of war. Mars is the Roman god of war. He is identified with the Greek god Ares. April -- Aphrodite's month Old English April(is) Latin Aprilis Etruscan Apru Greek Aphro, short for Aphrodite. Aprilis had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She is identified with the Roman goddess Venus. May -- Maia's month Old French Mai Old English Maius Latin Maius "of Maia" Latin Maius mensis "month of Maia" Maius has always had 31 days. Maia (meaning "the great one") is the Italic goddess of spring, the daughter of Faunus, and wife of Vulcan. June -- Juno's month Middle English jun(e) Old French juin Old English junius Latin Junius "of Juno" Latin Junius mensis "month of Juno" Junius had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long. Juno is the principle goddess of the Roman Pantheon. She is the goddess of marriage and the well-being of women. She is the wife and sister of Jupiter. She is identified with the Greek goddess Hera. July -- Julius Caesar's month Middle English Julie Latin Julius "Julius" Latin Julius mensis "month of Julius" Latin quintilis mensis "fifth month" Quintilis (and later Julius) has always had 31 days. Julius Caesar reformed the Roman calendar (hence the Julian calendar) in 46 BC. In the process, he renamed this month after himself. August -- Augustus Caesar's month Latin Augustus "Augustus" Latin Augustus mensis "month of Augustus" Latin sextilis mensis "sixth month" Sextilis had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 31 days long. Augustus Caesar clarified and completed the calendar reform of Julius Caesar. In the process, he also renamed this month after himself. September -- the seventh month Middle English septembre Latin September Latin septem "seven" + -ber (adj. suffix) Latin september mensis "seventh month" September had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long. October -- the eighth month Middle English octobre Latin October Latin octo "eight" + -ber (adj. suffix) Latin october mensis "eighth month" October has always had 31 days. November -- the nineth month Middle English Novembre Latin November Latin Novembris mensis "nineth month" Novembris had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long. December -- the tenth month Middle English decembre Old French decembre Latin december "tenth month" Latin decem "ten" + -ber (adj. suffix) December had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 31 days long. -- --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Welcome To dimpill's gang! This is the Best Place to Hang around.We Give u the Best in Latest News, Jokes, Funny Pictures,Wallpapers,Latest Buzz and Much More! Connect your World with Us join Now http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dimpill_gang/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Adult Mails http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fantazies/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Health and Food Mails http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Health_and_Gourmet/join -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
