Are you looking for something to celebrate in the last gray month of winter? You’re in luck! In addition to a variety of religious celebrations, March has a plethora of other fun holidays to add to the calendar. Here are a dozen to get you started.
World Wildlife Day – March 3
In 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted. Forty years later, in honor of this act protecting wildlife, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3 a holiday to highlight the world’s numerous valuable species.
Mardi Gras – March 4
While this festival traditionally marks the lead-up to the Christian fasting period of Lent that happens before Easter, many people, particularly in the United States, celebrate it in a secular manner. Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated with colorful parades, elaborate costumes, exciting music, and extravagant feasts.
International Women’s Day – March 8
In 1909, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Women’s Day as February 28 after protests by women for shorter working hours and better working conditions. The following year, the International Conference of Working Women unanimously agreed to establish an International Women’s Day. Over the next few years, more and more nations adopted the holiday. By 1914, nations had converged on March 8 as the date to honor women across the globe, although it took until 1975 for the United Nations (UN) to officially mark International Women’s Day as an international holiday.
Pi Day – March 14
Many of us have probably celebrated this math-themed holiday at some point in school. Pi Day originated at the 1988 San Francisco Exploratorium, where physicist Larry Shaw began the celebration on 3/14, the first three digits of pi, to honor the significance of this number to the field of mathematics. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives recognized the holiday in a nonbinding resolution to honor March 14 as National Pi Day.
St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
This holiday was originally an Irish religious celebration of St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints. In America, however, this day was transformed by Irish immigrants into a secular celebration of Irish culture. Today it is celebrated in the United States with large parades, the color green, and Ireland’s national plant: the shamrock.
International Day of Happiness – March 20
In 2012, the UNGA proclaimed March 20 as the day to promote happiness and well-being for all people, including through policies that focus on these issues. To celebrate, try thinking about what makes you happy, giving someone a smile, or devoting some time to a hobby that brings you joy.
UN French Language Day – March 20
This day was established in 2010 by the UN Department of Public Information as part of an initiative to raise awareness, increase respect, and promote the use of all six of the official languages of the UN. The other five—Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian, and Spanish—each have their own days of recognition in other months throughout the year.
Vernal Equinox – March 20
In case you need a third holiday to celebrate on March 20, this day also marks the Vernal, or Spring Equinox, when there are equal hours of day and night. This date marks the official start of Spring for the Northern Hemisphere and the start of Autumn for the South.
International Day of Forests – March 21
Forests are crucial not only for the survival of vast numbers of species on Earth but also for global food security and nutrition. In 2012, the UN proclaimed this holiday to raise awareness about deforestation’s harmful effects and to encourage people and governments to protect their forests.
World Water Day – March 22
First formally proposed in 1992, this holiday was made official that same year at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. It is part of the movement to focus attention on sustainable management of crucial freshwater sources and taking action to reduce the global water crisis.
World Theatre Day – March 27
Are you a theater lover? World Theatre Day began in 1961 when the International Theatre Institute (ITI) declared it a holiday to recognize the universal and peaceful nature of this art. The ITI was founded in 1948 by UNESCO to celebrate the global tradition of theater.
International Day of Zero Waste – March 30
According to the UN, humans produce around 2.2 tons of garbage every year and that number is only rising. This day was founded by the UNGA in 2022 to promote sustainable consumption, production, and waste management.
I hope one or more of these celebrations will brighten your March!
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