Why does our calendar have 12 months?

 At one time, our calendar wasn't even remotely close to what it is today. As a matter of fact, our calendar used to have only 10 months. That's right. That was the Roman calendar. Back in those days, the Roman calendar could have a different number of days in it on any given year. It was never the same from year to year. Because of this, the dates became "way" out-of-step with the seasons.

Then came along...

...Julius Caesar

You may have heard of him? He was a great Roman emperor. Most people remember him as a leader and great warrior. But he did something way back then that we still use to this day. Julius Caesar decreed to correct the calendar of that day. And, correct he did! He changed the whole darn thing!

First, he proclaimed that the year 46 B.C. would be a 445-day year (pretty long year!). This would allow the dates to once again become correct with the seasons.

Then, he established a much more accurate calendar. It was called the Julian (after Julius) calendar and it had 365 days - normally. That's right - this was the beginning of our present day calendar.

Lastly, he brought into being what is called a leap year to keep the calendar from getting out-of-step with the seasons again.

So, it was Julius Caesar
that made the most significant changes
to the calendar,
starting us well on our way
to the one we use today.

To honor Julius Caesar, the fifth month, which was originally called "Quintillis", was renamed "July" (don't forget, back then, the year only had 10-months and began in March).

With these changes, the calendar was certainly much more accurate than it had ever been, but it was still not the calendar we use today. For that, there had to be one more significant change.

 Trivia Challenge #2