On 19 March 2003, at 9:30 PM, EST, two hours past a deadline for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to step down from power, US and British forces began air strikes against his regime. A ground campaign (adding Australian forces) followed quickly, and by Apr 9, Baghdad was under the control of allied forces. Hussein was captured by US forces on Dec 13, 2003. On June 28, 2004, Iraq regained its sovereignty. On Dec 15, 2005, 70 percent of Iraq’s registered voters turned out for parliamentary elections— one of the freest elections on record in the Arab world. Sectarian and terrorist violence prevented the withdrawal of US and other national combat troops until Aug 18, 2010.
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The Feast of Saint Joseph celebrates the patron saint of fathers and carpenters.
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Each year on the Feast of Saint Joseph, these black birds return to Mission San Juan Capistrano in California.
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20 March – 16 April. Various sites in Washington, DC. Celebrating the decades of cherry blossoms in our nation’s capital. In the midst of thousands of beautiful cherry blossom trees— a gift from Tokyo in 1912— festivities include cultural performances by local and international artists, tours, sporting events, art exhibits and other events celebrating spring. Highlights include Family Days and the Opening Ceremony, a spectacular Fireworks Festival and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and Sakura Matsuri— Japanese Street Festival.
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In the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins today with the vernal equinox, at 6:29 AM, EDT. Note that in the Southern Hemisphere today is the beginning of autumn. Sun rises due east and sets due west everywhere on Earth (except near poles), and the daylight length (interval between sunrise and sunset) is virtually the same everywhere today: 12 hours, 8 minutes.
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Mar 21, 1965. More than 3,000 civil rights demonstrators led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, began a four-day march from Selma, AL, to Montgomery, AL, to demand federal protection of voting rights. There were violent attempts by local police, using fire hoses and dogs, to suppress the march. A march two weeks before on Mar 7, 1965, was called “Bloody Sunday” because of the use of nightsticks, chains and electric cattle prods against the marchers by the police.
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Single Parent Day – This relatively new day recognizes the difficulty and sacrifices of being a single parent. Read more at https://www.workingmother.com/5-things-everyone-can-do-to-support-single-parents-on-national-single-parent-day.
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Mar 21, 2006. Jack Dorsey sent the first “tweet”—“ just setting up my twttr”— in the now immensely popular microblogging and social networking platform. Twitter enables users to post 140-character public messages. Dorsey, Evan Williams and Biz Stone of Odeo launched Twitter to the public on July 15, 2006.
A global awareness day (officially observed by the United Nations since 2012) raising awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities. Join the cause to create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome.
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World Harmony Day in Australia – This is a day to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness with the message that “Everyone Belongs.” The date was set in 1999 coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
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On 22 March 1960, the first patent for a laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) granted to Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes.
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National Goof Off Day is a day of relaxation and a time to be oneself; a day for some good-humored fun and some good-natured silliness. Everyone needs one special day each year to goof off.
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The Tuskeegee Airmen
On 22 March 1941, the pioneering and highly decorated WWII African-American aviator unit gained their name during training at the US Army airfield near Tuskegee, AL, and at the Tuskegee Institute. They were activated as the 99th Pursuit Squadron and later formed the 332nd Fighter Group (with the 100th, 301st and 302nd squadrons); 992 black pilots emerged from training to fly P-39, P-40, P-47 and P-51 aircraft in more than 15,000 sorties in North Africa, Sicily and Europe. On escort missions, they were the only unit that never lost a US bomber. They shot down 111 enemy planes and destroyed 273 planes on the ground. Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr— later the US Air Force’s first black general— was their commander. When President Harry Truman integrated the US military, the all-black group was deactivated.
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To celebrate the puppies in our lives and rescue the ones who need a good home. The goal is to have 10,000 puppies adopted across the US on National Puppy Day!
NOTE: National Puppy Day is always March 23 unless it falls on a weekend in which case it is the Friday or Monday closest to March 23.
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National Tamale Day is a day to enjoy flavorful and unique tamales— which date back more than 5,000 years to the Aztecs and Mayans. Tamales can be enjoyed any time of the year, so order a tamale at your favorite local restaurant or have friends over to celebrate with a homemade tamale dinner. Visit the website for recipes, information on tamale festivals and more.
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Near Miss Day – While this day commemorates the day when an asteroid nearly collided with Earth, you might consider other times you or your ancestors missed a tragedy. Read more at https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/near-miss-day.
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Mar 24, 1912. African-American civil rights leader and champion of education and women’s causes, born at Richmond, VA. She was an active member of the National Council of Negro Women, serving as its president for 40 years, and was a consultant to several governmental offices and presidential administrations on education and civil rights issues. Height died at Washington, DC, Apr 20, 2010.
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On 24 March 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground at Alaska’s Prince William Sound, leaking 11 million gallons of oil into one of nature’s richest habitats.
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24 March is the Feast of Saint Gabriel the Archangel, patron saint of postal, telephone and telegraph workers.
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World Tuberculosis Day is designed to promote awareness about the serious health consequences of tuberculosis throughout the world. Observed on the anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch’s 24 March 1882 announcement that he had discovered the bacillus that causes TB. Sponsored by the World Health Organization, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and other international health agencies.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Center for Disease Control
Earth Hour reaches more than one billion people in 4,000 cities around the world, inviting communities, businesses and governments to switch off lights for one hour at 8: 30 PM, local time— sending a powerful global message that we care enough about climate change to take action. Read more at http://www.earthhour.org.
The Feast of the Annunciation – when the angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to announce the impending birth of Jesus Christ, also known in the UK as Lady Day, was traditionally the start of the New Year.
Image: Paolo de Matteis – The Annunciation
National Medial of Honor Day honors the heroic recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest award that can be given by the president, in the name of Congress, to members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves beyond the call of duty.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Army
25 March 1775 is the anniversary of the planting by George Washington of pecan trees (some of which still survive) at Mount Vernon, VA. The trees were a gift to Washington from Thomas Jefferson, who had planted a few pecan trees from the southern US at Monticello, VA. The pecan, native to southern North America, is sometimes called “America’s own nut.” First cultivated by Native Americans, it has been transplanted to other continents but has failed to achieve wide use or popularity outside the US.
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The Abolition of Slave Trade Act was enacted in England on March 25, 1807.
Image: Am I not a Woman and a Sister? Public domain
