By Mara Gordon
Did you know that the calendar we use in the United States is named Gregory?
Most of the world today uses the Gregorian calendar to keep track of the days and months as time passes. The Gregorian calendar got its name from Pope Gregory XIII who helped make the system popular in the 16th century. Calendars fall into four types: lunisolar, solar, lunar, and seasonal. The seasonal calendars rely on changes in the environment like the “wet season” or “dry season.” The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar which means its days are based on the position of the Sun relative to the stars and along the equator.
Since the gyrations (or rotation & spinning) of the universe is always changing, there is no perfect calendar system. That’s why the Gregorian calendar uses has a leap day, February 29, every four years. Not every calendar system has a leap day though and instead some like the Ethiopian calendar and International Fixed Calendar have 13th months.
Whichever calendar you use or however your family marks the passing of time, it’s important to remember that each day has its significance, and each day is an opportunity to grow and explore and play into endless possibilities.
Have a happy new year and be sure to take some days to play and grow as a family!
