By TR Robertson
There are several important dates for the month of March you may want to put on your calendars, several that mark significant religious events important to millions of people. Make sure you make a point of putting March 9th on your calendar or you will find yourself an hour behind for the day.
Important March Dates
Ramadan – Ramadan actually begins on the evening of Friday, February 28 and ends on the evening of Sunday, March 30th. This is the holy month of fasting and prayer for Muslims. It is celebrated marking the month the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Ash Wednesday – March 5th is the first day of Lent. This Christian holy day marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and penance. Christians receive ash placed on their forehead as a symbol of mortality, repentance and renewal.
International Women’s Day – March 8th – this day actually began in Russia in 1922 but starting in 1977, in the United States, it became a global observance. The day honors the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and raises awareness about gender equality and women’s rights.
Daylight Saving Time – March 9th – For this day, beginning 2:00 am to 3:00 am, you will spring forward one hour. There has been increasing talk about eliminating Daylight Saving Time, but this would require Congressional approval in order to change the Uniform Time Act that set up the “Spring Forward, Fall Back” policy controlling Daylight Saving Time.
St. Patrick’s Day – March 17th – Also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick. This day is the traditional death date of St. Patrick in 461 AD, the patron Saint of Ireland. It also marks the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick has been associated with driving the snakes out of Ireland (snakes have never been in Ireland), an allegorical tale relating to driving the so-called heathen practices out of Ireland.
First Day of Spring – March 20th – This day marks the vernal equinox when the sun crosses the Earth’s equator bringing in Springtime. The dates vary year to year. Springtime is said to last from March 20-June 20. The vernal equinox is the day there is 12 hours of night with 12 hours of daytime which will find daytime increasing and nighttime decreasing until the summer solstice on June 20th.
