Holy Innocents (Childermas) · Ruz-e Kudakan-e Bigonah

Culture of origin: Christian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Australia (national) · Canada (federal) · Christianity · France · Germany (nationwide) · United Kingdom (England and Wales) · United States (federal)

Holy Innocents' Day, or Childermas, remembers the young boys of Bethlehem whom King Herod had killed in his attempt to destroy the newborn Jesus, as told in the Gospel of Matthew (2:16–18). The Church honours them as the first martyrs. It is a feast of the Catholic Church, kept also by Lutherans and as a Festival in the Church of England. In Spain and Latin America it is a day for practical jokes, like April Fools' Day.