JANUARY—The Roman Janus presided over the beginning of everything;
hence the first month of the year was called after him.
FEBRUARY—The Roman festival was held on the 15th day of this month, in
honor of Lupercus, the god of fertility.
MARCH—Named from the Roman god of war, Mars.
APRIL—Latin _Aprilis_, probably derived from _aperire_, to open;
because spring generally begins, and the buds open, in this month.
MAY—Latin _Maius_, probably derived from _Maia_, a feminine divinity
worshiped at Rome on the first day of this month.
JUNE—Juno, a Roman divinity worshiped as the Queen of Heaven.
JULY—_Julius_—Julius Cæsar was born in this month.
AUGUST—Named by the Emperor Augustus Cæsar, B.C. 30, after himself, as
he regarded it as a fortunate month, being that in which he had gained
several victories.
SEPTEMBER (_Septem_, or 7)—September was the seventh month in the old
Roman calendar.
OCTOBER (_Octo_, or 8)—Eighth month of the old Roman year.
NOVEMBER (_Novem_, or 9)—November was the ninth month in the old Roman
year.
DECEMBER (_Decem_, or 10)—December was the tenth month of the early
Roman year. About the 21st of this month the sun enters the Tropic of
Capricorn, and forms the winter solstice.