When did Good Friday begin to be observed?

Obviously this is an important day to remember, but is it a tradition that the disciples started immediately after Christ's death, or did this come much later? Perhaps an emperor instituted the tradition of observing Good Friday?

Luke 23:26 - 43

ESV - ²⁶ And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

Clarify (11) • Share • Report • Asked March 29 2013 • Jason Winn Supporter