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• The word month comes from the Moon, which takes roughly a month to go around the
Earth.
• The names of months in English (as well as in many other languages) come from
Latin words.
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January
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Januarius
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This month was dedicated to Janus, the Roman god of doors. Janus had two faces, one looking back at the old year and the other looking forward to the new year.
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February
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Februarius
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Februa was the Roman purification festival, which took place at this time of year.
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March
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Martius
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From Mars, the Roman god of war.
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April
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Aprilis
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From aperire, Latin for open, because plants begin to open during this month.
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May
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Maius
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Probably comes from maia, the Roman goddess of growth and increase.
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June
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Junius
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Either from a Roman family name Junius, which means young, or perhaps after the goddess Juno.
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July
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Julius
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After Julius Caesar. This month was named in Caesar's honour by Mark Antony in 44 BC. Previously this month was called Quintilis from the word [Quintus], five, as it was the fifth month in the Roman Calendar.
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August
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Augustus
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Named in 8 BC in honour of Emperor Augustus.
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September
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September
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From Septem, seven, because it was the seventh month in the Roman Calendar.
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October
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October
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From Octo, eight(as in octopus,which has eight legs), the eighth month in the Roman calendar.
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November
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November
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From Novem, nine, the ninth month in the Roman calendar.
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December
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December
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From Decem, ten, the tenth month in the Roman calendar.
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