The Month of April

There is a saying, "April showers bring May flowers." That might be true, but there are so many other interesting things about April.

The name April comes from the Latin word meaning "to open." It is the fourth month of the year, and flowers and trees begin to open in springtime.

April is the first of four months to have 30 days, following March with 31 days, the maximum number of days in any month. The other three months with 30 days, like April, are June, September, and November.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

The first thing that comes to mind in reference to April is the saying, "April showers bring May flowers." Is that true, or is it just something to say because it rhymes?

According to meteorologists and other weather professionals, the saying is true. April is traditionally a rainy month. That means the rain keeps the soil fertile, which makes flowers grow and bloom a month later. One day, it could be raining and wet, and the next day, it could be sunny and dry.

The line is actually from a short poem. Even though the literal meaning is true, there is a deeper meaning behind the words. The statement reminds us that even the most unpleasant things, like all that rain in April, can bring about very enjoyable things, like an abundance of beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers in May. Although the expression is a lesson in patience that was coined many years ago, it remains true to this day.

April Symbols

April's birthstone is the diamond that symbolizes innocence.

April Zodiac Signs

• Aries: from March 21 until April 19 (symbol is the ram)
• Taurus: from April 20 until May 21 (symbol is the bull)

Presidents Born in April

1. April 13, 1743: Thomas Jefferson
2. April 23, 1791: James Buchanan
3. April 27, 1822: Ulysses S. Grant
4. April 28, 1758: James Monroe

Presidents Died in April

1. April 4, 1841: William Henry Harrison
2. April 12, 1945: Franklin D. Roosevelt
3. April 15, 1865: Abraham Lincoln
4. April 22, 1994: Richard Nixon

Dates to Observe in April 2025

• April 1: April Fools' Day
• April 2: Autism Awareness Day
• April 5: Easter
• April 10: National Siblings Day
• April 11: National Pet Day
• April 15: Tax Day
• April 22: Earth Day
• April 24: Arbor Day

Interesting and Fun Facts about April

• April is named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
• The month of April was sacred to the goddess Venus in Ancient Rome.
• April is the second month of spring, and the first full month since spring started on March 20.
• The arrival of the cuckoo bird in April is a signal that spring has arrived.
• April is a time of planting and a good time to do spring cleaning.
• Small animals that hibernate during the winter months usually come out of their burrows in April.
• Birds fly northward in April.
• Bees and butterflies begin to gather nectar from the first flowers that spring up in April.
• April in the Southern Hemisphere is the same as October in the Northern Hemisphere.
• The Elizabethan poet and playwright William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, and died on his birthday on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52.
• Lots of poems have been written about April.
• April is recognized as National Poetry Month, encouraging the appreciation of poetry.
• The birthstone for April is the diamond, symbolizing strength and clarity.
• Noah Webster copyrighted the first Webster Dictionary on April 14, 1828.
• The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912.
• George Washington, the first President of the United States, was inaugurated on April 30, 1789.
• April is a female name, even though the person might not have been born in April.