10 Days That Disappeared

In October of 1582, Europe had a problem.

Knowing when the seasons would change was incredibly important for farmers and devout Catholics alike. For farmers, the spring equinox represented the moment when day and night were the same length. This meant that there would be more and more light from here on out, and for as long as anyone could remember, it signaled the beginning of the main growing season.

The risk of losing crops due to frost went down significantly as the soil began to warm for the year. Farmers knew which seeds to plant before the equinox, and which to plant after. Naturally, festivals around this day sprung up all over the ancient world.

Meanwhile, the Church held immense power and influence in late medieval and early modern Europe. Popes often acted as advisors to kings and emperors, and the Church itself held vast territories (like the Papal States) and could wield military might.

It was incredibly important to them to get the dates for Easter right. The date of East…