History of Good Friday in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 22, 2025

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum, it's a solemn day marked by various names, including Black Friday, Holy Friday, and Great Friday. The day is central to Christian belief, representing Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's sins. It is a day of mourning and reflection on the events leading to Jesus' death, observed with special church services, prayer, fasting, and acts of penitence.

1900: Eastern Christianity, Easter can fall between 22 March and 25 April

In Eastern Christianity, Easter can fall between 22 March and 25 April on Julian Calendar.

1955: Liturgical vestment color

Before the reforms of the Holy Week liturgies in 1955, black was used throughout for the vestments.

1955: Catholic Church renamed Good Friday

In 1955, the Catholic Church renamed Good Friday from Feria sexta in Parasceve to Feria sexta in Passione et Morte Domini as part of the Holy Week reform.

1960: Easter plays include 1960 Eastertime performance of Good Friday: A Play in Verse (1916)

In 1960 Eastertime performance of Good Friday: A Play in Verse (1916) was played. Artists Ursula O'Leary (Procula), and William Devlin as Pontius Pilate, perform with the atmospheric sound effects of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

1970: Liturgical vestment color

In 1970, the liturgical color of the vestments used for Good Friday was red.

1970: Good Friday shortened name

In 1970, the rite introduced shortened the name to Feria sexta in Passione Domini.

1997: Good Friday holiday in Hong Kong

In 1997, after the transfer of sovereignty from the UK to China, Good Friday continued to be a public holiday in Hong Kong.

1999: Good Friday as a state holiday

In 1999, the US Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the government could give state employees a paid day off for Good Friday, provided there is a valid secular purpose.

2008: Betting shops open on Good Friday in the UK

In 2008, betting shops and stores opened for the first time on Good Friday in the UK.

March 2012: Good Friday declared a holiday in Cuba

In March 2012, Cuban President Raúl Castro declared Good Friday a holiday in response to a request from Pope Benedict XVI.

2014: Horse racing on Good Friday in the UK

In 2014, Lingfield Park and Musselburgh staged the UK's first Good Friday horse race meetings.

2018: Alcohol ban lifted in Ireland

Up until 2018, it was illegal to sell alcoholic beverages on Good Friday in the Republic of Ireland, with some exceptions. The ban led to pubs and off-licences generally closing.