The term "red-letter day" originates with the tradition of marking holy days in a church calendar in red. We use the term here to designate days of special significance in each month -- holidays, astronomical happenings, anniversaries of historic events, and days with memorable folklore attached. Information is drawn from the library of The Old Farmer's Almanac.

The Romans used a different symbol for memorable days-a white stone (albo lapillo);they first used white stones to decide whether or not a citizen was to be banished; if he drew enough black stones, he was, but was acquited if he drew white stones. They then used the phrase for their "red-letter" days; Lewis Carroll was fond of it.

In a different vein, "red tape" for excessive bureaucracy, from the red ribbons used to tie up governmental documents. tjoeb};>