William Shakespeare Week in the United Kingdom is an education focus on the life and works of one of history's most famous writers. Throughout English schools, children are encouraged to read the works of Shakespeare and learn from the style he used.

Africa

Mar

Teach Music Week, Intl.: March 18-24

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Created in 2014, International Teach Music Week seeks to help people of all ages enjoy the benefits of music through education, therapy, and social interaction. Check with your local music stores for free classes and events on this day.

Africa

Mar

AG Day, Ntl.: March 19 (est)

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National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food, and fiber community dedicated to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to: Understand how food and fiber products are produced. Appreciate agriculture's role in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products. Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry. ACA also holds an annual Ag Day Essay and Ag Day Poster Art Contest. See the website for details. http://www.agday.org

Africa

Mar

BMI Latin Awards: March 13

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The BMI Latin Awards or Billboard Latin Music Awards are a subset of the original Billboard Music Awards hosted by Billboard magazine. The awards program began in 1994 as a Latin Music Conference, capped by an awards ceremony. Beginning in 1999, The Billboard Latin Music Awards became a televised Telemundo event broadcast throughout the Americas, Puerto Rico, and Europe.

Three special awards, unique to Billboard, are presented in addition to the general awards for best song, artist, album, etc. These are the Spirit of Hope, highlighting philanthropy, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Latin Music Hall of Fame inductees. The Billboard Latin Music Awards usually occur in April.

Africa

Mar

Chocolate Caramel Day, Ntl.: March 19

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National Chocolate Caramel Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor, and it celebrates combining two of the world’s favorite sweets: chocolate and caramel.

Africa

Mar

Jotijot Guru Hargobind Sahib (S)(1644): March 19

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Jotijot is the death day of Guru Hargobind Sahib, March 19, 1644.

Africa

Mar

Jotijot Guru Hargobind Sahib (S)(1644): March 19

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Sikhism centers on the ten founding gurus' birth, teachings, and deaths. Jotijot is the death anniversary of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, on March 19, 1644. Hargobind is best known for organizing the defense of Sikhs, creating an army that defended the people from persecution. He was an exceptional swordsman and expert in martial arts. Jotijot is a day of reflection and prayer in the faith.

Africa

Mar

Nurses, Certified Nurses Day (1930): March 19

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Held annually on the birthday of nursing pioneer Dr. Margretta Made Styles RN EdD, FAAN, Dr. Styles led the initiative to create standardized professional certification in the nursing field. The 1954 Yale alumna was born on March 19, 1930, and died on November 20, 2005.

Africa

Mar

Oil, National Day of (IR)(1951): March 19

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On March 15, 1951, the government of Iran nationalized the country's oil fields, making it the nation's property. The British were given one week to leave. National Day of Oil is a national holiday in Iran and can occur on the 19th or 20th, depending on the year.

Africa

Mar

Poultry Day, Ntl.: March 19

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National Poultry Day highlights poultry, be it chicken, turkey, duck, goose, or quail. Poultry is a general term for any domesticated bird raised for meat or eggs. In the United States, chicken is the most popular meat served for meals. National Poultry Day is an unofficial holiday with no specific sponsor.

Africa

Mar

Social Work Day, World: March 19

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World Social Work Day is promoted by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and recognizes the importance of social work for economic equality.

Africa

Mar

Swallow Day, San Juan Capistrano (US-CA): March 19

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THE SWALLOWS RETURN TO SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Swallow Day marks the swallows' annual return to San Juan Capistrano, California, each year from their winter migration. The day is part of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas, the Festival of the Swallows, and Saint Joseph's Day.

The swallows' return to Mission San Juan Capistrano in California symbolizes the arrival of spring and has become an annual celebration of renewal, nature, and community spirit. The swallows, specifically the cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), are small migratory birds known for their long-distance journey from Goya, Argentina, to San Juan Capistrano and other parts of North America. These birds create unique, mud-built, gourd-shaped nests in the eves and walls of man-made structures, including the Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Cultural Importance

The phenomenon of the swallows returning to the Mission San Juan Capistrano around St. Joseph's Day (March 19) each year has symbolized the changing seasons and the enduring nature of life. This event has been romanticized and popularized through songs, stories, and local lore, turning it into a celebration of hope, faith, and continuity. The mission, founded in 1776 when California was part of Mexico, has a rich history intertwined with the lives of the Native American people and Latino cultures.

Native American Tribes

Before the arrival of the Spanish missionaries, the area around San Juan Capistrano was inhabited by the Acjachemen tribe, also known as the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians. The Acjachemen people had a rich culture and spiritual connection to the land and its creatures, including the local bird populations. Much of the cultural significance attributed to the swallows originated from their traditions.

The Acjachemen culture, like many Native American tribes, has traditions that reflect a deep respect and reverence for nature, including birds. Birds represent messengers or symbols of freedom, transformation, and connection to the natural world. The swallows' migratory patterns and their return could be seen within such frameworks of understanding and respecting natural cycles, even if not explicitly celebrated in the same manner as the modern event at the mission.

Celebrations of the Swallows' Return

Celebrating the swallows' return to Mission San Juan Capistrano includes a festive which draws visitors worldwide. Festivities include parades, educational events, musical performances, and the ringing of the historic mission bells. These celebrations honor the birds' return and educate the public about the history of the mission, the local ecology, and the importance of conservation efforts to protect migratory bird populations.

In recent years, efforts have focused on encouraging the swallows to return to the mission through the use of artificial nests and sound systems broadcasting swallow calls, as urban development and changes to the mission structure have caused the birds to seek alternative nesting sites. These conservation efforts underscore the ongoing relationship between the community, the mission, and the swallows, symbolizing a collective desire to preserve this unique natural phenomenon for future generations.

Africa

Mar

Taxonomist Appreciation Day: March 19

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Taxonomy is behind the name, definition, and classification of various biological organisms. A Taxonomist is a biologist who does this. Taxonomist Appreciation Day is a day for scientists to thank their colleagues in Taxonomy and a day for children to learn about this fascinating career. Annually on March 19. This event began in 2013.

Africa

Mar

Vernal Equinox, Northern Hemisphere: March 19

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A national holiday in Japan, the Vernal Equinox occurs in March in the northern hemisphere, when the earth's access is a tilt at zero degrees, favoring neither the northern nor southern hemispheres. It is the official beginning of spring and is a highly auspicious day in faiths that base their calendars on the sun's movement.

Africa

Mar

Wedding Proposal Day (Spring): March 19

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Twice a year, Proposal Day® falls on the equinox, generating worldwide discussion among eligible singles seeking marriage. The day allows singles to press the issue if so inclined. For those not ready to marry, this day also supports rescue animals in shelters. If you're not prepared to propose, you're encouraged to add to your family by adopting an animal. Not just dogs and cats but rabbits, birds, and other animals often find their way into shelters too. Can't have pets? Try a fish! Created and trademarked by John Michael O'Loughlin, check his site on this day to see who is named the most eligible bachelor and bachelorette in the world.

Africa