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How are the days of the week named?

The English days of the week are named after a mixture of figures in Roman and Anglo-Saxon mythology. The English language has inherited and changed those names a bit, but the ones we use today resemble those names. For example, Sunday is named after the Sun, and it was originally called “Sun’s Day.” The Sun gave people light and warmth every day. Monday is named after the Moon, and it was originally called “Moon’s Day.” The Moon was considered very important in the lives of people and their crops. Tuesday was Tiw’s Day. Tiw (sometimes spelled Tiu or Tyr) was a Norse god known for his sense of justice. Wednesday was Woden’s Day; Woden (or Odin) was a powerful Norse god. Thursday was Thor’s Day, named for Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Friday was Frigg’s Day, named for Frigg, the Norse god of love and fertility. Saturday was Seater’s Day (or Saturn’s Day); Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture.

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