Easter Sunday in United States

Many Christians celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.








What do people do?

Many churches hold special services on Easter Sunday, which celebrate the Jesus Christ's resurrection after his crucifixion. Many people also decorate eggs. These can be hard boiled eggs that can be eaten later, but may also be model eggs made of plastic, chocolate, candy or other materials. It is also common to organize Easter egg hunts. Eggs of some form are hidden, supposedly by a rabbit or hare. People, especially children, then search for them. In some areas, Easter egg hunts are a popular way for local businesses to promote themselves or may even be organized by churches.


Public life

Easter Sunday is not a federal holiday but a number of stores are closed in many parts of the US and if they are open, they may have limited trading hours. In some cities, public transit systems usually run their regular Sunday schedule, but it is best to check with the local transport authorities if any changes will be implemented during Easter Sunday.






 Background

In Pagan times, many groups of people organized spring festivals. Many of these celebrated the re-birth of nature, the return the land to fertility and the birth of many young animals. These are the origins of the Easter eggs that we still hunt for and eat.

In Christian times, the spring began to be associated with Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The crucifixion is remembered on Good Friday and the resurrection is remembered on Easter Sunday. The idea of the resurrection joined with the ideas of re-birth in Pagan beliefs.

                            Michigan

Capital: Lansing

State abbreviation/Postal code: Mich./MI

Governor: Rick Snyder, R (to Jan. 2015)

Lieut. Governor: Brian Calley, R (to Jan. 2015)

Senators: Carl Levin, D (to Jan. 2015); Debbie A. Stabenow, D (to Jan. 2019)

U.S. Representatives: 14

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Ruth Johnson, R (to Jan. 2015)

Atty. General: Bill Schuette, R (to Jan. 2015)

Treasurer: Andy Dillon (apptd. by governor)

Organized as territory: Jan. 11, 1805

Entered Union (rank): Jan. 26, 1837 (26)

Present constitution adopted: April 1, 1963 (effective Jan. 1, 1964)

Motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you)

State symbols: flower apple blossom (1897)
bird robin (1931)
mammal white-tailed deer (1997)
fishes trout (1965), brook trout (1988)
gem isle royal greenstone (chlorastrolite) (1972)
stone petoskey stone (1965)
tree white pine (1955)
soil kalkaska soil series (1990)
reptile painted turtle (1995)
flag “Blue charged with the arms of the state” (1911)
wildflower Dwarf Lake iris (1998)


Nickname: Wolverine State

Origin of name: From Indian word “Michigana” meaning “great or large lake”

10 largest cities (2010): Detroit, 713,777; Grand Rapids, 188,040; Warren, 134,056; Sterling Heights, 129,699; Lansing, 114,297; Ann Arbor, 113,934; Flint, 102,434; Dearborn, 98,153; Livonia, 96,942; Clinton Township, 96,796

Land area: 56,804 sq mi. (147,122 sq km)

Geographic center: In Wexford Co., 5 mi. NNW of Cadillac

Number of counties: 83

Largest county by population and area: Wayne, 1,820,584 (2010); Marquette, 1,821 sq mi.

State parks and recreation areas: 97

Residents: Michigander, Michiganian, Michiganite

2010 resident population: 9,883,640

Indian tribes were living in the Michigan region when the first European, Étienne Brulé of France, arrived in 1618. Other French explorers, including Jacques Marquette, Louis Joliet, and Sieur de la Salle, followed, and the first permanent settlement was established in 1668 at Sault Ste. Marie. France was ousted from the territory by Great Britain in 1763, following the French and Indian Wars.

 After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. acquired most of the region, which remained the scene of constant conflict between the British and U.S. forces and their respective Indian allies through the War of 1812.

 Bordering on four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan is divided into Upper and Lower peninsulas by the Straits of Mackinac, which link lakes Michigan and Huron. The two parts of the state are connected by the Mackinac Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges. To the north, connecting lakes Superior and Huron, are the busy Sault Ste. Marie Canals.

 While Michigan ranks first among the states in production of motor vehicles and parts, it is also a leader in many other manufacturing and processing lines, including prepared cereals, machine tools, airplane parts, refrigerators, hardware, and furniture.

The state produces important amounts of iron, copper, iodine, gypsum, bromine, salt, lime, gravel, and cement. Michigan's farms grow apples, cherries, beans, pears, grapes, potatoes, and sugar beets. Michigan's forests contribute significantly to the state's economy, supporting thousands of jobs in the wood-product, tourism, and recreation industries. With 10,083 inland lakes and 3,288 mi of Great Lakes shoreline, Michigan is a prime area for both commercial and sport fishing.

 Points of interest are the automobile plants in Dearborn, Detroit, Flint, Lansing, and Pontiac; Mackinac Island; Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores; Greenfield Village in Dearborn; and the many summer resorts along both the inland lakes and Great Lakes.

 See more on Michigan:
Encyclopedia: Michigan
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
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The global Route 66 organization

The National Historic Route 66 Federation can justly be credited with expanding Route 66 beyond the efforts of a few. This was accomplished by promoting the highway around the world, establishing a global Route 66 association and producing 3 to 4 day events along 66 that featured artists, musicians and collectors, and the John Steinbeck Awards evening that honored those working to restore the Route.

The roots of the Federation go back to October of 1964, when David Knudson drove from Chicago to California on Route 66. Fresh out of college, he had pocket change, plenty of dreams and no job. He stayed in California and eventually built a business in Los Angeles. But, he never forgot his trip out Route 66 with all the “fancy” motor courts, “exotic” trading posts and the aroma of sweet smoke from the pit barbecues. He couldn’t afford to stop at any of them on his way out, but he vowed one day, he’d travel down Route 66 again and buy some Indian moccasins, sample the great – smelling barbecue and stay in a few places with clean sheets.

In August of ‘94, his chance came. His wife, Mary Lou and he were in Chicago and decided to drive back to California along Route 66. But, they couldn’t find it. The famous road wasn’t on any maps and there were no “66″ road signs. The old road had been bypassed by an interstate highway over 20 years before stranding many of the once-thriving businesses and towns. Deserted structures stood only as silent reminders of the days of “America’s Glory Road”.

By the time David and Mary Lou arrived home, they decided to sell their business interests and devote their time to trying to save as much as possible of the historic road before it was completely gone. The Federation was born.

 The Federation’s mission

Today, the National Historic Route 66 Federation is the worldwide, nonprofit organization dedicated to directing the public’s attention to the importance of U. S. Highway Route 66 in America’s cultural heritage and acquiring the federal, state and private support necessary to preserve the historic landmarks and revitalize the economies of communities along the entire 2,400-mile stretch of road.

The Federation accomplishes these goals through public education, advocacy and membership activities. Public outreach strategies include publication of the quarterly magazine Federation News, the Adopt-A-Hundred Preservation Program, a worldwide web site, serving on the National Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide, the EZ66 GUIDE For Travelers, special events and assistance to the media, authors, learning institutions and production companies.

  

Spearheaded the National Route 66 Preservation Bill

In 1999, the National Route 66 Preservation Bill was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton. The act provides $10 million in matching fund grants to individuals, corporations and communities for the purpose of preserving or restoring historic properties along the legendary route. The Federation spearheaded this bill for over four years and is now working with the The National Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to issue these grants.

Ongoing projects

The Federation’s Adopt-A-Hundred Program utilizes over 20 volunteer members who take responsibility for 100 mile stretches of the route. They tour their stretches at least twice a year looking for possible preservation problems and if found, report them to the Federation for follow up. Every other year, those members who have adopted sections in the Adopt-A-Hundred Program travel their sections and review the dining and lodging establishments along them.

Each facility is evaluated on 10 different criteria. Their detailed reports are then compiled and entered into the latest edition of the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide which is published by the Federation. The purpose of the guide is to encourage people to explore the route and to help them find dining and lodging places they can afford and are unique. It emphasizes the vintage establishments so travelers can make the most of their historic roadside Americana experience.

The EZ66 GUIDE For Travelers is a joint project between the Federation and author/artist Jerry McClanahan. As the title implies, its purpose is to make traveling the many unsigned, often confusing alignments of the Route as easy as possible. Each of these alignments are historic and offer their own unique glimpse into their regions.