Stories & Lifestyle: Easter customs and traditions in the US

Easter in the US In general, Easter traditions in the US are very similar to those in Germany, including Easter bunny and Easter eggs - just a little less contemplative. Two of the most spectacular traditions, however, take place in New York and Washington each year - the Easter Parade and the White House Easter Egg Roll.

The White House Easter Egg Roll The origins of the Egg Rolling tradition are from some European countries where children rolled hard-boiled eggs down a hill on Easter Sunday. This was supposed to commemorate the rolling away of the rock from the tomb of Jesus when the women came to see him in the morning. The British brought the tradition to the US and many American families integrated it into their personal Easter traditions.

It is said, however, that it was Dolly Madison (wife of US President James Madison 1809-1817) who initiated the first public egg roll for children in Washington in 1810. Back then, the even still took place on Capitol hill. The Egg Rolling was an annual event, suspended only for the time of the Civil War. After the government complained that the children were damaging the grass on Capitol Hill, however, the Turf Protection Law was passed in 1876, ending the tradition of Egg Rolling on the Hill. Many Americans, however, wished to keep this tradition alive and a spontaneous protest sparked the just as spontaneous invitation by President Rutherford Hayes and his wife Lucy to roll the eggs on the lawn in front of the White House.

The Easter Egg Roll has become a regular Easter tradition, taking place every Easter Sunday (except during times of war) between 9am and 2pm. All children up to the age of 12 may participate, adults only if they are accompanying a child. The so-called "smallest children ticket" cannot be pre-ordered, they are sold from 7am while they are available. For the celebration that gets a little bigger every year, thousands of eggs are hidden in the garden of the White House and the visitors have to find them. The actual "rolling" part of the Egg Rolling is no longer possible due to the relatively level ground and has not been done since the event was banned from Capitol Hill.

New York's "Easter Parade" Another US tradition are the Easter Parades. The probably largest and most beautiful one goes along Fifth Avenue in New York - the New York Easter Parade.

Every year on Easter the streets of New York are flooded with colorful, flower-decorated floats and thousands of people with beautiful and extravagant dresses and hats. The tradition probably originates in the old custom of buying a new suit or new dress for Easter services. After the service, people were walking the streets, not least to have others see their beautiful new clothes.

Especially the hats are interesting with their usually rather extravagant designs. Many hats are shaped like New York landmarks, e.g. the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. So if you decide to go and join the Parade on short notice, don't forget to bring a nice hat.