March is the third month of the year, according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in most of the world today. It was the first month of the early Roman calendar. Later, the ancient Romans made January 1 the beginning of the year, and March became the third month. The Romans called this month Martius in honor of Mars, the Roman god of war. March has always had 31 days. Assassins killed the Roman emperor Julius Caesar on March 15, also known as the Ides of March, in 44 B.C.
The equinox occurs on March 19, 20, or 21. On this day, the sun shines directly on the equator, and the lengths of day and night are nearly equal all over the world. In the Northern Hemisphere, the equinox in March marks the start of spring and is often called the vernal (spring) equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, the March equinox is the beginning of autumn. Equinox celebrations are widespread and varied. In Iran, Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebrations begin on the date of the March equinox and last for 13 days. Some people in other countries of central and southern Asia, including Afghanistan and Iraq, also celebrate the Persian New Year. Japanese Buddhists celebrate Higan on both the vernal equinox in March and the autumnal equinox in September. All businesses close for the celebrations. The Japanese use this time to honor their ancestors.
Hina-Matsuri, a Japanese doll festival for girls, occurs on March 3. On this day, girls display a set of dolls on a special stand in their homes. These dolls represent members of the royal court and are usually family heirlooms. People visit each other to admire the dolls.
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Parades and parties mark this date in the United States and other countries where Irish immigrants have settled. Many people wear green clothing and eat traditional Irish foods, such as corned beef and cabbage. In Ireland, the celebrations are usually more solemn and religious in nature.
The Jewish festival of Purim usually falls in March. It occurs on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. Purim marks Queen Esther’s rescue of the Jews of Persia from a plot to kill them. Jewish people celebrate this holiday by reading the book of Esther in the Bible and with masquerade parties, giving to charity, and feasting.
Many countries, including China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. This day honors women, especially working women. March is Women’s History Month in the United States. It is a time to recognize women’s achievements and contributions to society.
Flowers associated with March are the violet and the jonquil. The birthstones for this month are the bloodstone (a variety of chalcedony) and the aquamarine.
