Final answer:
Sunday is referred to as the "eighth day" in religious contexts, symbolizing new creation and eternity in Christian theology. It has a unique status in both religious traditions and labor history, contributing to its perception as a day of rest and worship. The term also culturally resonates with the desire for more time in our weeks, as alluded to in The Beatles' song.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sunday is sometimes referred to as the "eighth day" in various religious and cultural contexts. While the seven-day week is thought to have been influenced by ancient celestial observations, with days named after the Sun, Moon, and five planets visible without a telescope, the concept of an "eighth day" has different origins.
In Christian theology, Sunday is seen as both the first and the eighth day, symbolizing new creation and eternity. It represents a day of rest and worship, emerging from Jewish Sabbath traditions and evolving further in Christian culture. Historically, Sunday blue laws, intended to enforce religious standards such as prohibiting certain activities for the sake of public morals, reinforce the unique status of Sunday. In the context of labor history, with Saturday half-days evolving into a full weekend, Sunday has retained its status as a common day off, further embedding it in social customs as a special day of rest and reflection.
Moreover, the expression "Eight Days a Week," made famous by The Beatles, humorously suggests a desire for more time in a week, attesting to the cultural significance of the number of days in our modern schedule.