Passover is a Jewish and Samaritan holy day and festival commemorating the biblical event of Hebrews’ escape from enslavement in Egypt. Passover is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays and is commemorated as a time to contemplate the endurance of the Jewish people throughout history. Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan (equivalent to March and April in Gregorian calendar).
In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible tells that God inflicted ten plagues upon the Egyptians before Pharaoh would release his Hebrew slaves, with the tenth plague being the killing of all of the firstborn, from the Pharaoh’s son to the firstborn of the dungeon captive, to the firstborn of cattle. The Hebrews were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord passed over these homes, hence the term “passover”. When Pharaoh freed the Hebrews, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread to rise. In commemoration, for the duration of Passover, no leavened bread is eaten, for which reason it is called “The Festival of the Unleavened Bread.” Matza (flat unleavened bread) is the primary symbol of the holiday.
Passover is one of the three pilgrimage festivals during which the entire Jewish populace historically made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Good Friday, also called Holy Friday, Black Friday, or Great Friday, observed primarily by Christians commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The holiday is observed during Holy Week on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday and often coincides with the Jewish observance of Passover.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week event that celebrates springtime in Washington, DC as well as the 1912 gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan.
