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Fast Day |
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Fast Day Fourth Monday in April At one time it was customary for the governors of the New England states to proclaim days of public fasting and prayer, usually around the middle of April. But after the Revolutionary War, enthusiasm for the custom began to wane. Because the day's spiritual significance had faded by the 19th century, Massachusetts abolished its Fast Day in 1895 and began to observe Patriots' Day in its place. Maine followed suit a few years later. New Hampshire is now the only state that continues to observe Fast Day as a legal holiday, maintaining a tradition that can be traced back to 1679. No longer an occasion for abstinence, it is usually regarded as an opportunity for outdoor recreation and spring chores. Although the date is set by law, the governor of New Hampshire issues a yearly proclamation designating the day on which it will be observed. CONTACTS: New Hampshire Almanac, New Hampshire State Library 20 Park St. Concord, NH 03301 603-271-2143; fax: 603-271-2205 www.nh.gov SOURCES: AmerBkDays-2000, p. 322 DictDays-1988, p. 39 Celebration days: Apr 25, 2011; Apr 23, 2012; Apr 22, 2013; Apr 28, 2014; Apr 27, 2015 Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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