Weekend

Weekend is a period of time that typically extends from Friday evening to Sunday night, especially within Western societies. It is a significant part of the week in many cultures, often reserved for rest, leisure activities, family time, or religious observances.

Origin

The concept of the weekend originated in the religious observance of the Sabbath. In Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is a day of rest that begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. The Christian tradition, influenced by Judaism, originally adopted a similar pattern, with Sunday becoming a day of rest and worship. The two-day weekend began to be more common in the 20th century.

Around the World

The concept of the weekend varies around the world, and different countries have different traditions. In most Western countries, the weekend consists of Saturday and Sunday. However, in some Middle Eastern countries, the weekend may be Friday and Saturday, or even Thursday and Friday, as in the case of Iran.

Activities

Weekends are often associated with leisure activities, such as sports, outdoor activities, entertainment, and hobbies. Many people also use this time for family gatherings, socializing with friends, or travel. In addition, weekends are often the time for religious observance in many cultures.

Impact on Society

The weekend has a significant impact on society and economy. It influences travel and tourism industry, retail business, and entertainment industry. It also affects work-life balance and mental health of individuals.

See Also

• Workweek and weekend
• Public holidays
• Sabbath
• Sunday shopping