When were the calendar months named?
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The twelve-month calendar was instituted in 700 BC by the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius. Julius Caesr changed the calendar in 46 BC, renaming one month after himself and another after Augustus Caesar, and also renamed February.
The calendar months were named by different civilizations and cultures throughout history. The naming of the months has a complex and varied origin. Here is a brief explanation of the origins and naming of the months in the Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used calendar system today:
1. January: Named after "Janus," the Roman god of beginnings and transitions. January was considered the first month of the year in the original Roman calendar.
2. February: The name "February" comes from the Latin word "februare," which means "to purify." In ancient Rome, this month was associated with purification rituals.
3. March: Originally the first month of the Roman calendar, March is derived from "Martius," named after "Mars," the Roman god of war.
4. April: The name "April" is believed to have roots in Latin, possibly derived from "aperire," which means "to open." This suggests the opening of buds and blossoms in spring, as April is associated with the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
5. May: Named after "Maia," the Roman goddess of fertility and growth. May was a month associated with nature's rebirth and the flourishing of plants.
6. June: Derived from "Iunius," which is believed to honor "Juno," the Roman goddess of marriage and the wife of Jupiter. June was considered a propitious month for weddings in Roman times.
7. July: Originally known as "Quintilis," meaning "fifth month" in Latin, it was later renamed "Julius" after Julius Caesar. He reformed the Roman calendar, adding a month to honor himself, which became July.
8. August: Originally named "Sextilis," meaning "sixth month," it was renamed "Augustus" in 8 BCE after the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. He chose this month to honor himself.
9. September: Derived from "septem," the Latin word for "seven." In the original Roman calendar, September was the seventh month.
10. October: Derived from "octo," the Latin word for "eight." In the Roman calendar, October was the eighth month of the year.
11. November: Derived from "novem," the Latin word for "nine." In the Roman calendar, November was the ninth month of the year.
12. December: Derived from "decem," the Latin word for "ten." In the Roman calendar, December was the tenth month of the year.
It is important to note that the names and order of the months have undergone changes throughout history as different cultures adopted and adapted various calendar systems.