The first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, January, consists of 31 days. It is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, who is often depicted with two faces—one looking to the past and the other to the future. January is typically the coldest month in the Northern Hemisphere and the warmest in the Southern Hemisphere.
February is the second month and the shortest, with 28 days in common years and 29 in leap years. Its name originates from the Latin word "februum," meaning purification, tied to the Roman festival of purification called Februa held during this time. It marks the final full month of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
The third month, March, is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. In the early Roman calendar, March was the first month of the year. It signifies a period of transition, heralding the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere with the vernal equinox. It has 31 days.
April is the fourth month of the year and contains 30 days. The name is derived from the Latin verb "aperire," which means "to open," thought to be a reference to the season when trees and flowers begin to "open" or blossom.
The fifth month, May, has 31 days and is named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was associated with fertility and growth. For the Romans, this was a time to celebrate Bona Dea, a similar goddess of fertility. It is a month deeply associated with spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
June is the sixth month and has 30 days. Its name is most commonly believed to honor the Roman goddess Juno, the patroness of marriage and childbirth. The summer solstice, the day with the most daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs in June.
The seventh month, July, contains 31 days. It was named in honor of the Roman general and dictator Julius Caesar, as it was the month of his birth. Before that, it was known as "Quintilis," meaning "fifth month" in the old Roman calendar.
August, the eighth month, also has 31 days. It was named to honor the first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar. He chose this month to be named after him because it was the time of several of his great triumphs.
The ninth month of the year, September has 30 days. Its name comes from the Latin word "septem," meaning "seven," as it was the seventh month in the original Roman calendar which began in March. It marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
October is the tenth month and has 31 days. The name is derived from the Latin "octo," meaning "eight," indicating its position in the early Roman calendar. It is strongly associated with the autumn season and holidays like Halloween.
The eleventh month, November, has 30 days. Its name originates from the Latin word "novem," meaning "nine," as it was the ninth month of the early Roman calendar. It is a late autumn month in the Northern Hemisphere.
December is the twelfth and final month of the year, with 31 days. The name comes from the Latin "decem," meaning "ten," reflecting its place as the tenth month in the original Roman calendar. The winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs in December.