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[German Version] In Jewish and Christian tradition, observance of a weekly holiday (Holidays) is associated with an injunction to refrain from labor. Unlike other religions, Christianity and Judaism consider interruption and rest – with differing emphasis among the various religious groups – constitutive elements of their identity. Public debate about the modern form of Sunday observance began with industrialization. After various precursors in the 19th century, the struggle of the churches and th…

[German Version] I. History 1. Sunday (Lat. dies solis, Ger. Sonntag, Dutch zondag, Danish Søndag) is the second day of the Greco-Roman planetary week, which displaced the original Roman eight-day week in the 2nd century ce. Influenced by the model of the Jewish seven-day week but also by astrological notions from the Near East, it associated the days of the week with the seven known “planets” (including the sun and moon). As Mithraic religion and the cult of sol invictus (celebrated on Dec 25; introduced by the emperor Aurelian in 274 ce) gained influence, Sunday took on special sign…