Good morning! It's Sunday, April 5, and welcome to our Sunday Edition, where we take a break from the news to explore the deeper context behind today's topics (our regular news digest will be back tomorrow).
Today is Easter, the Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, so we explore the holiday's rich theology, eclectic cultural expression, and more. We also cover the fascinating story of the Apollo program amid a renewed foray to our lunar neighbor, and will conclude with a recently created exploration of artificial sweeteners from our Health and Medicine writer, Dina Fine Maron (sign up here).
Scroll down for an anatomy of volcanoes, a history of pickling, and more. Or visit 1440 Topics for primers on Norman Rockwell, Asteroids, or 450 others.
Have suggestions? Help us better serve our more than 4.7 million readers by sharing your honest feedback at [email protected]. First time reading? Sign up here or click here to share with friends.
— 1440 Topics Team |
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Dear Readers—Our Sunday edition delivers deep dives into interesting and relevant topics, helping you explore new ideas and feed your curiosity.
Instead of the news—which we cover Monday through Saturday—today we bring you deeply researched overviews and the human-curated articles, podcasts, videos, and more that most fascinated us this week. |
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The meaning of Easter
Easter is Christianity's most important holiday, a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the first-century man who was crucified by Roman soldiers outside Jerusalem (read Gospel accounts). The holiday—observed by Christians in more than 95 countries (see map), roughly 2.4 billion people—culminates Holy Week, the stretch from Palm Sunday through Maundy (or Holy) Thursday and Good Friday. It concludes the 40-day period of fasting and penance that starts on Ash Wednesday, known as Lent (46 days if you count Sundays).
Theologians describe Easter as the fulfillment of the Jewish commemoration of Passover, when the enslaved Israelites were "passed over" in Egypt by the Angel of Death, who took the life of every firstborn son (listen to reflections). Early Christians, like Paul, argued that this event prefigured—or anticipated—Jesus' death on the cross, whose sacrifice, they believe, saves everyone from sin and death. Paul argues that without the Resurrection, Christianity is false. On Easter, Christians believe Jesus is "risen" today, and that he calls everyone to similar eternal life.
Easter eggs became associated with Easter after hens laid eggs during the Lenten fast, resulting in a surplus by Easter. German immigrants brought the tradition of the Easter Bunny in the 1700s (explore symbols). Today, Americans are projected to spend nearly $25B on Easter.
... Read what else we learned about the feast day here.
Also, check out ...
> See the Easter story in National Gallery paintings. (View)
> Was the stone on Jesus' tomb round or square? (Read)
> The earliest depiction of Jesus' crucifixion. (Read)
> A look at the claims around the Shroud of Turin, the reported cloth imprinted with Jesus' image. (Read) |
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In partnership with Lonely Planet |
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Your Dream Destination Is Calling … |
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When it comes to travel planning, Lonely Planet quite literally wrote the book. For authentic, on-the-ground recommendations from people who have actually been there, there’s no better place to start your journey.
Their global team of travel writers is constantly exploring the world to bring you trusted guidance you can rely on. From smart packing tips and under-the-radar gems to vetted solo travel destinations and detailed itineraries like a 14-day journey through Japan’s Golden Route, every recommendation is carefully researched to help you make the most of your time away.
Still planning your summer getaway? Discover Europe’s smallest but most scenic country. |
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In partnership with Lonely Planet |
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Our Top Travel Hack For 2026 |
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The Apollo program, 101
The Apollo program was an American space initiative in the 1960s and early 1970s to land humans on the moon, the first successful attempt in history. Named after the Greek god associated with the sun, the program cost over $200B in today’s dollars, launched 11 crewed missions, and saw 12 American astronauts walk on the moon (see numbers).
Launched July 16, 1969, the crew of Apollo 11—Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins—landed on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility July 20 (using a guidance system with less computing power than a modern smartphone).
Roughly 650 million people watched as the pair stepped out on the moon as Armstrong famously declared: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Watch it here.
Numerous everyday technologies originated or advanced in the program, including cordless tools, scratch-resistant lenses, freeze-dried foods, and early medical scans. Memory foam, created for aircraft crash protection, is now used in bedding and protective gear. Culturally, the program inspired a surge in interest in science and engineering.
... Read our full explainer on the program here.
Also, check out ...
> The weirdest things astronauts left on the moon. (Read)
> Experience the moon landing minute by minute. (More)
> Today's space missions focus on establishing a permanent lunar outpost. (Listen)
> What a lunar base could look like. (Watch) |
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What's in an artificial sweetener?
Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes added to foods and drinks to offer sweetness without the calorie load or cavity risk—and they generally don't raise blood sugar levels. Since these lab-produced substances are many times sweeter than table sugar, they can be swapped in at low levels to achieve the same flavor.
The six approved artificial sweeteners in the US include aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal), neotame (Newtame), sucralose (Splenda), saccharin (Sweet'N Low), advantame, and acesulfame potassium (Sweet One and Sunett). These are distinct from other FDA-approved plant- and fruit-based sweeteners like stevia.
Use of sugar alternatives has risen in recent years amid ongoing health research, including some studies that linked certain sugar alcohol sweeteners (erythritol and xylitol) to elevated risks of heart attack and stroke. Though research in the 1970s linked multiple artificial sweeteners to cancer in lab rats, subsequent studies found those risks weren't true in humans, and the US Food and Drug Administration-approved compounds are now generally regarded as safe at moderate levels. The World Health Organization labeled aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic" in 2023, but says the substance remains safe at typical levels of daily consumption.
... Read our full write-up on the pseudo-sugars here.
Also, check out ...
> See how sugar stacks up against the sweetness of sugar alternatives. (View)
> The confusion around aspartame's health risks, explained. (Read)
> Many artificial sweeteners were discovered accidentally (when lab workers didn't wash their hands before eating). (Watch)
> What's a safe amount to consume? (Read) |
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In partnership with Lonely Planet |
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Where Are You Traveling This Summer? |
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Please support our sponsors! |
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In partnership with Lonely Planet |
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If it feels like everyone is going to Japan right now, you’re right! There’s no better place to escape your day-to-day life and disappear into ancient tradition and quiet, understated beauty. Lean on Lonely Planet’s expertise to go beyond the ordinary and come back with a story.
No matter where you want to go, Lonely Planet has guidebooks that cover the world, including unique adventures, like this bookable trip along the golden route of Japan, and unforgettable experiences like exploring Tokyo's underground brewery scene. Add Japan to your summer list and find everything you need to know at Lonely Planet. |
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We added 368 resources this week to our knowledge collective—share your favorite link or outlet with us to see it featured here next week!
The anatomy of a volcano, visualized. (View)
A fun comparison of the different sizes of organisms. (Explore)
"Under God" was added to the pledge as an anti-communist move. (Read)
A history of pickling. (Read)
How loud is too loud? (Read)
What really was the Illuminati? (Read)
What the Arab League is, and why it has limited power. (Read)
Biosphere 2 is the largest Earth science experiment ever built. (Watch)
See the 50 largest private equity firms in the world. (Visualize)
Illustrating how a Viking ship was built. (Visualize)
The history of the Border Patrol's use of electronic sensors. (Read)
The daily source of Disney park news (thanks to Alan!). (Read)
Tracking water conflicts over four millennia (kudos, Andrijana!). (Interact) |
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Historybook: Booker T. Washington born (1856); Actress Bette Davis born (1908); Actor Gregory Peck born (1916); Former Secretary of State Colin Powell born (1937); Winston Churchill retires as UK Prime Minister (1955); Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain dies (1994) |
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"There are two ways of exerting one’s strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up." |
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