Brenda McGoffney, age 13, of Dubuque, Iowa, for her question:

WHY DO WE CALL THE SEVENTH DAY "SATURDAY"?

Saturday, the seventh day of the week, is named in honor of the Roman god Saturn. It was called dies Saturni in Latin and Saterdaeg by the Anglo Saxons.

The seventh day is the holy day of the Israelites of the Old Testament and in Hebrew is called sabbath, the only day of the week with a name, the rest being numbered. It is thought that the word sabbath derives from the Hebrew word for rest, in that the Jews were enjoined from working on the seventh day. It begins at sunset Friday and lasts until sunset Saturday.

In the early days of Christianity, the holy day gradually shifted to Sunday, which, as the first day, was deemed more appropriate since it was the day on which creation began and also it was the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In Sweden, Denmark and Norway Saturday is Lordag, or Lord's Day. In Spanish it is el sabado and in Italian sabato, both derived from sabbath.

Several Christian sects, including the Seventh Day Adventist church, have reverted to Old Testament practice and observe Saturday as their day of worship.