Easter Bunny
A song by Gene Autry became famous in 1950 titled “Peter Cottontail” reminded kids of the Easter Bunny and all the candy he could bring to each child.
It started with civilizations who may well have celebrated the onset of warmer spring weather by hailing hares, eggs, or other emblems of fertility. First popular in Germany, the German immigrants brought their traditions to America, including the Easter Bunny. This was especially true of those known as ‘Pennsylvania Dutch’ – not really Dutch but rather German. Early German children usually left their hats or bonnets in a secluded outdoor spot for the shy Oschter Haws (bunny) to deposit his colored eggs, though misbehaving kids could wake up to find their nest filled with rodent droppings or coal.
The Easter Rabbit or Easter Bunny became more popular by the 1880s in America. When the chocolate bunny came out in the markets in the 1890s as a special food treat, the Easter Bunny would be associated with that holiday and springtime.
The Easter Bunny was used on many Easter cards that were popular to send to family and friends.
Photo: Easter Bunny on a postcard for 1907.
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