Sentence:  Among the ancient Romans it was an annual institution for every family to give a banquet, to which only near relatives were bidden. On this occasion family feuds were healed, and all envy, hatred, and malice, laid aside; as an emblem of restored harmony, gifts were interchanged. This ceremony took place during the festival known as "Carisia", held in honour of the goddess Concord, and was celebrated during the eight days preceding the <WSD>Calends</WSD> of March (February 22 to March 1). 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  "Often with initial capital": the first day of a month, particularly  the first day of a month of the Roman calendar.