Fascinating facts, cultural insights, and fun knowledge about weekdays around the world. Last reviewed on 2026-05-09 Interesting Facts About Days of the Week Saturday is the only day of the week in English that retains its Roman deity name. While the other days were renamed after Germanic/Norse gods, Saturday kept its association with the Roman god Saturn. This is likely because the Germanic peoples had no direct equivalent to Saturn in their pantheon. Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture, wealth, and time. He was associated with the golden age of peace and prosperity. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival in his honor, which featured feasting, gift-giving, and role reversals between masters and slaves—customs that later influenced Christmas celebrations. While Friday the 13th is considered unlucky in many English-speaking countries, in Spanish-speaking nations, it's Tuesday the 13th (martes trece) that's considered the day of bad luck. This superstition is reflected in a popular Spanish saying: "En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes" (On Tuesday, don't get married, don't travel, and don't leave your house) The superstition stems from associations with Mars (the god of war) and the historical fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, which allegedly happened on a Tuesday the 13th. While many Western countries consider Sunday or Monday as the first day of the week, this varies significantly around the world: Sunday is the first day in the US, Canada, and Japan Monday is the first day in most of Europe, China, and Australia Saturday is the first day in most Arab countries The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) designates Monday as the first day of the week (ISO 8601), which is now widely used in international business and digital communications. Wednesday has undergone more linguistic transformations than any other day of the week in English. Its path from the Latin dies Mercurii (Mercury's day) to the Old English Wōdnesdæg (Woden's/Odin's day) to modern "Wednesday" involved significant sound changes. This challenging evolution also makes Wednesday the most commonly misspelled day of the week in English. The first 'd' is silent, and the pronunciation doesn't clearly reflect the spelling ("Wens-day" rather than "Wed-nes-day"), causing frequent spelling errors. The third Monday in January has been dubbed "Blue Monday," allegedly the most depressing day of the year. This concept was first publicized in 2005 as part of a marketing campaign for a travel company, claiming to use a "formula" that considered weather, debt levels (post-Christmas), time since failing New Year's resolutions, and low motivation levels. While the concept has been debunked by scientists as pseudoscience without empirical foundation, it has become a cultural phenomenon, with many companies using it for marketing purposes and mental health organizations using it as an opportunity to raise awareness about seasonal depression. Thailand's Color Days In Thailand, each day of the week is associated with a specific color, based on ancient astrological rules. Many Thais wear the color associated with each day: Wednesday: Green (daytime) or Grey (night) Thursday: Orange or Brown Saturday: Purple This tradition is especially noticeable with the late King Bhumibol, who was born on a Monday and often wore yellow for public appearances, and with current King Vajiralongkorn, who was born on a Monday and is also associated with yellow. Monday Sickness in Japan "Monday Sickness" or "Blue Monday" (月曜病, Getsuyōbyō) is recognized in Japanese culture as a mild psychological ailment where workers feel heightened stress and physical discomfort when returning to work after the weekend. Some Japanese companies have implemented "Happy Monday" policies with later start times or casual dress codes to combat this phenomenon. Cheapest Days of the Week to Fly Travel writers and price-comparison guides often discuss whether some weekdays are routinely cheaper to fly than others. Patterns vary by region, route, and time of year, so the safest reading is a rule of thumb rather than a fixed price rule. Days Commonly Cited as Cheaper If you're wondering "what days of the week are cheapest to fly?", a recurring observation across travel guides is that Tuesday and Wednesday are often cited as among the least expensive days to fly domestically, while early-week days are often cited for international fares. Real fares fluctuate with airline pricing models, fuel costs, school holidays, and route demand. Even when a midweek pattern shows up in averages, individual itineraries can break it. Always compare prices across days for your specific route before booking. Why Mid-Week Flights Are Cheaper There are several factors that contribute to the lower prices of mid-week flights: Business Travel Patterns: Business travelers typically fly out on Monday and return on Thursday or Friday, creating higher demand and prices on these days. Leisure Travel Patterns: Weekend travelers often depart on Friday and return on Sunday, similarly driving up prices on these days. Supply and Demand: Airlines adjust prices based on seat availability and expected demand, resulting in lower fares during periods of reduced travel activity. Best Day to Book vs. Best Day to Fly It's important to distinguish between the best day to book a flight and the best day to actually fly : Best days to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday Best days to book: Research suggests that booking on Tuesday afternoon (after airlines have matched competitor's Monday evening price drops) can sometimes yield the best deals, though this pattern has become less predictable with dynamic pricing algorithms. Exceptions to the Rule While Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the cheapest days to fly, several factors can affect this pattern: Holiday travel periods often disrupt normal pricing patterns Routes dominated by leisure travelers (e.g., to vacation destinations) may have different optimal days Regional variations exist, with some markets showing different patterns Ultra-low-cost carriers sometimes offer promotional fares that don't follow traditional pricing patterns Popular Days of the Week Songs The Addams Family Days of the Week Song One of the most recognizable educational songs for teaching children the days of the week is set to the theme from "The Addams Family" television show. This catchy tune has become a classroom staple in many English-speaking countries. Days of the week! (snap, snap) Days of the week! (snap, snap) Days of the week, days of the week, days of the week! (snap, snap) There's Sunday and there's Monday, There's Tuesday and there's Wednesday, There's Thursday and there's Friday, And then there's Saturday! Days of the week! (snap, snap) Days of the week! (snap, snap) Days of the week, days of the week, days of the week! (snap, snap) This song's popularity stems from its simple structure, the familiarity of The Addams Family theme, and the interactive elements (snapping or clapping). The rhythm makes it easy for young children to remember the correct order of the days. The Singing Walrus Days of the Week

"The Singing Walrus" is a popular YouTube channel that creates educational songs and videos for children. Their "Days of the Week" song has garnered millions of views and is widely used in classrooms and homes for teaching English as a second language. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday! Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday! Seven days, there are seven days, Seven days in a week. Seven days, there are seven days, Seven days in a week. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday! Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday! The Singing Walrus version features animated characters, bright visuals, and a simple, repetitive structure that helps reinforce the sequence and spelling of each day. The upbeat tempo makes it engaging for young learners. Days of the Week Songs in Other Languages Many languages have their own popular songs for teaching the days of the week. These culturally-specific educational tools help children learn weekday vocabulary in their native languages. Spanish: "Los Días de la Semana" Lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, Viernes, sábado y domingo también. Son siete días a la semana, Cinco en la escuela y dos en casa. French: "Les Jours de la Semaine" Lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi, Vendredi, samedi, dimanche. Voilà les sept jours de la semaine, Voilà les sept jours de la semaine. The 7 Days of Holy Week Explained Holy Week, the final week of Lent leading up to Easter, commemorates the last days of Jesus Christ's life, his crucifixion, and resurrection. It is the most sacred time in the Christian liturgical calendar. Each day of Holy Week has special significance and is marked by particular customs and observances. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, Jesus rode into the city on a donkey while crowds spread palm branches and garments in his path, shouting "Hosanna!" Churches typically distribute palm fronds to worshippers, and some hold processions to reenact this event. Holy Monday & Holy Tuesday The events commemorated on these days include Jesus's cleansing of the Temple, where he expelled the money changers, and various teachings and parables he shared in Jerusalem. These days are often marked by services focusing on Christ's teachings and prophecies about the end times. Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) This day remembers Judas Iscariot's agreement to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin for thirty pieces of silver, earning it the name "Spy Wednesday." In some traditions, it's also called "Silent Wednesday" as the Gospels don't specify Jesus's activities on this day. Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, Jesus's final meal with his disciples, where he instituted the Eucharist (Communion). The name "Maundy" comes from the Latin "mandatum" (commandment), referring to Jesus's command to "love one another." Many churches hold foot-washing ceremonies, echoing Jesus's washing of his disciples' feet, and special Communion services. Good Friday marks Jesus's crucifixion and death. It is a day of mourning and solemn reflection in the Christian tradition. Churches often hold services between noon and 3 PM, the hours when Jesus hung on the cross. Many Christians observe fasting, and in some countries, Good Friday is a public holiday. The stations of the cross, a devotional practice tracing Jesus's path to crucifixion, is commonly practiced on this day. Holy Saturday (Black Saturday) Holy Saturday commemorates Jesus's burial and his descent into Hell or the realm of the dead (the "Harrowing of Hell" in some traditions). It's typically a day of quiet reflection as Christians await the resurrection. In many churches, this is when Easter Vigil services begin, starting after sunset and continuing into Easter morning. While technically not part of Holy Week proper, Easter Sunday immediately follows and celebrates Jesus's resurrection from the dead. It is the most important feast in the Christian calendar, marking the fulfillment of prophecy and the foundation of Christian faith. Easter services are typically joyful celebrations featuring special music, flowers, and festive gatherings. Global Weekday Traditions Around the world, specific days of the week have developed distinct cultural associations and traditions. These customs reflect religious practices, superstitions, and practical considerations that have evolved over centuries. Religious Day Observances Around the World Different religious traditions observe their holy days on different days of the week: Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer) In Islam, Friday (Jumu'ah) is considered the holiest day of the week. Muslims gather for congregational prayer at midday on Fridays, which includes a sermon addressing religious and community matters. Many Islamic countries have their weekend on Friday-Saturday to accommodate this important religious observance. Shabbat (Sabbath) In Judaism, Shabbat (the Sabbath) begins at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. It's observed as a day of rest and spiritual enrichment, with prohibitions on work and certain activities. Families typically gather for special meals, prayers, and synagogue services. The "Monday Blues" Phenomenon The concept of "Monday Blues"—a feeling of sadness, lethargy, or anxiety at the start of the workweek—is recognized across cultures and has been the subject of scientific research, cultural commentary, and workplace policies. Much of what makes Monday feel like the start of something is the modern Saturday-Sunday weekend itself, an institution barely a century old; see our short history of the weekend for how that pattern came together. Scientific Perspective Research has identified several factors contributing to Monday Blues: Sleep Cycle Disruption : Many people alter their sleep patterns on weekends, creating a "social jet lag" effect when returning to early weekday wake-up times. Stress Hormones : Anticipatory anxiety about the workweek can trigger cortisol releases on Sunday night and Monday morning. Mood Transition : The psychological shift from weekend freedom to weekday structure requires emotional adjustment. Statistical Evidence Several studies have documented the Monday phenomenon: Productivity tracking shows that Monday is typically the second-least productive day (after Friday), with work output ramping up mid-week. Some research has reported a higher rate of cardiovascular events on Mondays, a pattern often attributed to the stress of the work-week transition. Anyone with health concerns should consult a qualified medical professional rather than relying on general guidance. Workplace injuries increase on Mondays, possibly due to reduced concentration and readjustment to work patterns. Cultural Impact The Monday Blues concept has permeated popular culture: Songs like "Monday, Monday" (The Mamas & The Papas), "I Don't Like Mondays" (The Boomtown Rats), and "Manic Monday" (The Bangles) reflect the cultural view of Monday difficulties. The comic strip character Garfield is famous for his hatred of Mondays, despite being a cat with no work schedule. The 1999 film "Office Space" opens with a montage of the protagonist's miserable Monday morning commute, capturing the shared experience of workweek dread. Workplace Adaptations Organizations have developed various approaches to combat Monday Blues: Monday Morning Meetings : Some companies start the week with team gatherings to build energy and clarity. Late Start Mondays : Offering a later start time on Mondays to ease the transition from weekend. Monday Incentives : Providing perks like catered breakfasts or casual dress on Mondays to create positive associations. Task Management : Encouraging employees to schedule engaging or meaningful work on Mondays rather than routine tasks.