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

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References in periodicals archive

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