JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
Happy first Sunday after the first full moon, after the Spring equinox! Memorized in catechism class- ' When is Easter Sunday? "
Well, discovered quite a few things about ' era Easter ', meaning 1861-1865. No one seemed quite sure what, exactly, to do about it?
Predictably, yes, Easter Sunday celebrations in church. An improbable ball held. An awful lot of news articles on " The History of Easter "., which sure varies. Easter cards were not really ' yet ;- Victorian chickies and bunnies and flower laden bird's nests, a little later. Colored eggs? Sometimes but not he garish displays in glitter and tie dye we see later.
And an op to bemoan ' war ' associated with killing anyone on a Sunday, much less Easter Sunday! 1863
This pious writer is still mad over The Battle of Towton, in what, 1461?
Someone did some excellent era research- and we know how many famous battles were Easter- or at least, Sunday! from an 1861 newspaper.
By 1864, reporters were still digging for an Easter theme, dampening the festivities with a swipe at egg prices.
Whether this next was an Easter accident, published near the holiday or just so remarkable someone had to stick it in a newspaper, is anyone's guess.
How awesome is that? By steamer, however, no bunny.
' Bunnies ' do not seem to make an appearance, unless you count this gem from Stone's River, 1863. They were still ' rabbits '.
But- getting very close! Around this time rabbits in general enjoyed quite a bit of popularity. Not an Easter illustration, just a favored image, for no particular reason.
Cute, no basket of eggs and still just a rabbit.
There is a vast amount of History printed- some just so wonderful you have to share. It was, in the Olde Country, a traditional, well, game? I'm positive it did not catch on, much less was still practiced. I say we bring this one back!
Heaving? Wait.
Beyond eggs, ham and a big bunny irresponsibly dripping chocolate, we still have few traditions 150 years after this was printed. Seems like one we should explore?
And sorry Donna? Easter Cakes, not era but much read about from Ye Olden Times. Oh I forgot- Handball, the real thing, was for some reason a HUGE hit, centuries past. Who knew?
But. despite having jettisoned these ancient traditions, all with roots so deeply sunk in Time, era historians dismissed them as ' Pagan ' ( and really were not- ' Spring ' became all mixed up, delightfully, with the Resurrection and new beginnings. ) , through these awful years of war, " Easter " seems a deeper event for many. A little later, Louise Prang came up with the best image, albeit slightly post war.
Easter is a religious holiday so please excuse- but faith in this Resurrection - new life got an awful lot of Americans through shattering years, both personally and for our country. If we hadn't quite gotten to the gooey stuff, ( and no expert here ) the war drove faithful roots ever more deeply- and we just, plain had to believe. Not in the bunny, but in Hope.
Prang's message, just Hope, in a time of war.
Happy Hope, everyone, at Easter.