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
Waffle Day is a tradition that is celebrated in Sweden, and to a lesser extent elsewhere, on March 25. Waffles are typically eaten on this day. The name comes from Vårfrudagen (“Our Lady’s Day”), which in vernacular Swedish sounds almost like Våffeldagen (waffle day).
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Celebrate the green leaf that’s good for you on National Spinach Day!
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Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness.
On 27 March 1868. Patty Smith Hill, schoolteacher, author and education specialist, was born at Anchorage (suburb of Louisville), KY. She was author of the lyrics of the song “Good Morning to All,” which later became known as “Happy Birthday to You.” Her older sister, Mildred J. Hill, composed the melody for the song, which was first published in 1893 as a classroom greeting in the book Song Stories for the Sunday School. A stanza beginning “Happy Birthday to You” was added in 1924, and the song became arguably the most frequently sung song in the world. Hill died at New York, NY, May 25, 1946.
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We love those old country music quirky song titles, and it’s time to create some new ones. How about “Put Me Out at the Curb Darlin’, ’Cause the Recycling Truck’s A-comin’, and You Done Throwed Me Out,” for starters?
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Mar 28, 1881. P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey merged their circuses to form the “Greatest Show on Earth.”
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Kebabs, corn dogs, popsicles — you can eat them right off the stick, and it’s a satisfying way to dine. No wonder foods on a stick get their own day of celebration.
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On 28 March 1979, a series of accidents, beginning at 4 AM, EST, at Three Mile Island on the Susquehanna River about 10 miles southeast of Harrisburg, PA, was responsible for extensive reevaluation of the safety of existing nuclear power– generating operations. Equipment and other failures reportedly brought Three Mile Island close to a meltdown of the uranium core, threatening extensive radiation contamination.
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On 29 March 1867, an act of the British parliament established the Dominion of Canada, uniting Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The remaining colonies in Canada were still ruled directly by Great Britain until Manitoba joined the Dominion in 1870, British Columbia in 1871, Prince Edward Island in 1873, Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905 and Newfoundland in 1949. Union was proclaimed July 1, 1867.
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National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day on 29 March recognizes those very special husband-and-wife business owner teams that work and commune together. Take this day to strike a balance between business and love.
