[1]What Is In Store For March?
With great feedback for February’s column let’s explore March’s events:
March 8th – International (Working) Women’s Day
The roots of this celebration go back to the late 1800’s to early 1900s. It grew from women’s socialist movements and early women’s trade union groups. The focus is upon women workers, and advancing women’s rights in the workforce, politics and society. The first International Women’s Day was held March 19, 1911. International Women’s Day is sponsored worldwide by the United Nations.
March 15th – Ides of March
The Ides of March is the first day of the Roman New Year and marks the first day of spring in the Roman calendar. On this day in history, Julius Caesar was warned by soothsayers to “beware of the Ides of March”. As he was stabbed by Marcus Brutus on the Ides of March in 44 BC evidently he did not heed the warning strongly enough
March 16th – Freedom of Information Day
March 16th is the birth date of James Madison, the 4th president of the United States who is recognized as the Father of the Constitution and the chief author of the Bill of Rights. Freedom of information and individual rights were very important to him. Freedom of Information Day celebrates and recognizes a valuable component in American rights. The Freedom of Information Act was passed into law in 1966 and opened up a wealth of information to American citizens.
March 17th – Erin Go Bragh – Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is truly a day of celebrating Irish history, traditions, ancestry, and customs. It honors the Patron Saint of Ireland, missionary Saint Patrick, who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isles (Ireland) in the 400’s AD. The saying goes everyone is a little Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day.
March 20th (Always on Vernal Equinox) – International Earth Day
International Earth Day was initiated to make us aware of our responsibility to care for the planet. International Earth Day was founded by John McConnell, of Davis City, Iowa. In September, 1969, he proposed establishing Earth Day to the San Francisco, California, Board of Supervisors. After approval, he gained support from many others, including then U.N. General Secretary, U Thant.
March 30th – I am in Control Day
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt. In the White House, then Secretary of State Alexander Haig said “I am in control here”. Political uproar eventually led to his resignation. On that infamous day, I am in Control Day was born.
Haig’s statement was all but forgotten over time but this special day continued on, and evolved. People came to think about this day in a different context. It is now a day to get your life in control, a call to action. “I am in Control Day” is your chance to get things in order and under control.
Till next month.
Ed Bertha
March 2012
Copyright © 2012 REAL Magazine
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