From Staff Reports
Easter, the Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, has deep religious roots dating back to the early church. Easter has evolved into both a solemn observance for Christians and a broader cultural celebration marked by colorful eggs, bunnies, and springtime festivities in the United States. Its history reflects the country's blend of religious traditions, immigrant influences, and commercialization over time.
Christian settlers brought Easter traditions to America during the colonial period, though early Puritans in New England largely rejected it. They viewed holidays not found explicitly in the Bible, such as Easter and Christmas, with suspicion. As a result, Easter observances were minimal in Puritan regions during the 17th and early 18th centuries. However, Easter was celebrated among Catholic and Anglican communities in other colonies with more religious diversity, such as Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Colonial Williamsburg on early American holidays
German immigrants played a crucial role in popularizing Easter traditions in the United States. Settling in Pennsylvania in the 1700s, they brought the folklore of the “Osterhase”—a mythical hare who laid colorful eggs for children. Children would build nests where the hare could lay his eggs, a custom that eventually transformed into the modern Easter basket.
Smithsonian Magazine on the origins of the Easter Bunny
By the mid-1800s, Easter began to gain popularity as a national holiday. Churches across the country held special services to commemorate the resurrection, and wearing new clothes on Easter Sunday—symbolizing renewal—became fashionable. This evolved into the American tradition of the Easter parade, with New York City’s Fifth Avenue parade becoming especially iconic by the late 19th century.
Museum of the City of New York on the Easter Parade
In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes hosted the first official White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. This event, which continues today, invites children and families to roll eggs across the lawn in a festive, non-religious celebration of spring. It symbolized how Easter became a family-centered holiday with activities that appealed to the broader American public.
White House Historical Association on the Easter Egg Roll
The 20th century brought increased commercialization of Easter. Candy companies capitalized on the holiday by producing chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and marshmallow Peeps—staples of modern Easter baskets. German chocolate-making traditions influenced the rise of chocolate rabbits, which gained popularity in the late 1800s.
Smithsonian Magazine on chocolate bunnies
Today, Easter in the United States is celebrated in diverse ways. For many Christians, it remains the most significant religious holiday of the year, often preceded by fasting and reflection during Lent. For others, it is a secular holiday centered on egg hunts, candy, and family gatherings.
The evolution of Easter in America reflects the nation’s unique ability to weave together religious meaning, immigrant customs, and commercial culture into enduring traditions. Whether celebrated in pews, parks, or backyards, Easter is a joyful marker of spring and renewal nationwide.
