March 2024 Holidays, Themes & Events

Welcome to Spring or Autumn. This is a jam-packed month with something for everyone.

We wrap up the first quarter with March Madness descending. No, that's not a psychological disease (well, maybe it is?). March Madness is the name given to the NCAA college basketball finals that occur throughout the month. It's a big deal in the US. Concurrently, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy will be tied to their TVs for the Six Nations rugby tournament finals through mid-month.

Another big deal is the annual SOTU, or State of the Union Address, delivered by President Joe Biden to a joint session of Congress on March 7th. The US Constitution requires this event, which is followed closely globally. What President Biden says about Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Palestine will define the rest of the year. People will be watching intently.

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COURTING CONTROVERSY

This March features two contentious events with international ramifications likely to cause animosity among opponents and passion among supporters. The first is the historic Federal Conspiracy Trial against former US President Trump, postponed from March 4th. A new date has yet to be set. However, on February 5th, a Federal Court ruled it could continue. Expect it to be rescheduled for late March/early April.

The second pertains to Israel and Palestine. Activists will be busy worldwide marking the 20th anniversary of the ICJ ruling designating Israel's Wall as illegal and observing International End Israeli Apartheid Week. Expect demonstrations to be particularly robust in major cities if the current conflict continues.

GLOBAL THEMES

Internationally, it is Women's History Month, focusing on the achievements, needs, and challenges biological women face. Several weeks and days throughout the month focus on women's health, education, opportunities, concerns, needs, and desires. This month includes Mothering Sunday (March 10) in the British Commonwealth countries, Middle East Mother's Day (March 21), and Bulgaria's Baba Marta (March 1), which are these regions' Mother's Days. We also have Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on March 25th, and multiple Daylight Savings transitions throughout the month worldwide.

Many nations and religions will celebrate their New Year on or near March 21, the Vernal Equinox, or March 14 (Sikh New Year). The Hindus take it to the next level with Holi (March 23-25), a multi-day extravaganza of color, food, and celebrations.

Ramadan begins on March 10. Jewish people will celebrate Purim on March 23/24, and Western Christians enter their high holy days of Passiontide from March 17-30, 2024. Easter, on March 31 this year, is featured below.

Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on May 5th this year. They enter Passiontide on April 21st. The Orthodox follow the Julian rather than the Gregorian Calendar, hence the difference.

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Header Image: This photo says so much about motherhood, and the woman is stunningly beautiful despite being weighed down by her children's various needs. I took it during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in New Delhi's India Gate Park. At the time of this photo, it was over 40C/104F with humidity near 90%. You wouldn't guess that from her calm pose. She looks fantastic. Me? There is a reason I'm behind the camera!

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As always, these descriptions are shortened. For a full description, click through the links to the event page on LEEP. Click here for 2023's featured March events.

Let's start this issue with a bit of buzz: The record-breaking upcoming 2024 Cicada Invasion.

It's been over 200 years since this many cicadas hatched in a single season—promptography LD Lewis.

CICADA INVASION 2024

Date: March 20 - May 10, 2024 (+/- two weeks)

Location: Midwest and Southeastern United States

Champion: Natural Occurrence

I had never heard a cicada until I moved to the East Coast. It is impossible to describe how loud they are or how amusing it is to see them flying around. Suffice it to say, it's about to get noisy here!

In an extraordinary natural event not seen since Thomas Jefferson's presidency, the Midwest and the Southeastern United States are bracing for an unprecedented dual emergence of cicadas.

This spring, for the first time since 1803, Brood XIX (Great Southern Brood) and Brood XIII (Northern Illinois Brood) will simultaneously surface, marking a rare convergence of their 13-year and 17-year life cycles. The dual emergence, which will not occur again for another 221 years, is a humbling reminder of nature's long life cycles.

These insects will emerge in late March to mid-April. After tunneling out from the earth, the cicadas, identifiable by their distinctive red eyes, will undergo maturation. The males will soon create a chorus of buzzing, seeking mates, producing a sound surpassing the audible intensity of an airplane. It is estimated that over a trillion cicadas will appear across approximately 16 states. This figure would stretch to the moon and back 33 times if lined up end-to-end.

This six-week period will see the insects mating and depositing eggs, followed by their eventual death, which imparts a unique smell and serves as a natural fertilizer.

Pit Bulls are amazing pets that are often maligned—photo Leonardo Merlo

PIT BULL CELEBRATION MONTH

Date: March 1-31, 2024

Location: United States

Champion: Providence Animal Center (Fundraiser)

March is Providence Animal Center's Pit Bull Celebration Month, a month-long focus on adoptions and a subsidized spay-neuter drive. Affectionately referred to as "Pitty's" by their owners, a pit bull is a broad term for several breeds and mixed breed dogs classified as work dogs.

Pitties are prized for their loyalty, affection, and intelligence—traits which sometimes unfairly maligned the dogs due to their fiercely protective nature. Attacks by Pitties are usually due to poor training or owner handling, not the breed's nature.

The month's highlight is Saint Pitty's Week, a fundraiser for Providence Animal Center's Fix-a-Bull program. Funds raised subsidize the spay-and-neuter outreach and behavior initiative targeted at the most in-need dogs within the Greater Philadelphia area. Several bars and restaurants host fundraising nights, drink specials, and other special events for people living in Media, Pennsylvania, or along the Mainline of Philadelphia.

What can you do without tech for 24 hours? Find out with Global Unplugging Day! Photo by Reboot.

GLOBAL UNPLUGGING DAY

Date: March 1/2, 2024

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Reboot

Global Day of Unplugging is a 24-hour period during which people worldwide volunteer to unplug and live without technology from sundown on Friday to sunset on Saturday. What's with the sundown-to-sundown timeline?

The event was started by Reboot, a Jewish consortium of artists, writers, intellectuals, and others who explored what it means to be Jewish and Jewish culture. In the Jewish faith, events start at sundown. The Sabbath always begins on Friday at sundown and goes until Saturday at sunset. The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) outlines that the Sabbath is to be kept holy as a day of rest and introspection to commune with God.

What better time to unplug, relax, connect with family and friends, and do something other than remain chained to technology?

Angry with someone? Ging Zat is your kind of holiday! Promptography LD Lewis

GING ZAT

Date: March 5-6, 2024

Location: Hong Kong, China

Champion: Hong Kong Tradition

Ging Zat (sometimes written as Ging Zit in English), or "the awaking of the insects" in Chinese, is a rather funny tradition in Hong Kong culture. It's the day each year when insects emerge from hibernation, and tradition states that the gates of hell open and the spirits of the dead return to the world of the living. It is a time to honor and appease these spirits with offerings of food and other gifts.

It's also a time to cast spells on your enemies.

During Ging Zat, the aggrieved person hits a paper puppet of a villain or an enemy with a shoe or slipper to expel lousy luck and misfortune, ward off negativity and evil spirits from themselves, and transfer this bad energy to the enemy. Effigies represent a specific person, such as a political figure, a spurned lover, or a business rival.

Participants may take turns hitting it with a shoe or slipper while shouting insults and curses; it is quite effective at releasing negative emotions and channeling them into the representation rather than the actual person.

This event occurs on the March 5th or 6th, depending on the insects.

A career as a Catholic Sister brings many rewards to the women who serve—promptography LD Lewis.

CATHOLIC SISTERS WEEK

Date: March 8-14, 2024

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Communicators for Women Religious

Catholic Sisters Week is a celebration dedicated to acknowledging and honoring the contributions of Catholic sisters. This event, part of National Women's History Month, focuses on recognizing the vital role played by Catholic nuns in communities worldwide through their commitments to education, healthcare, social justice, and spiritual support. Initially known as National Catholic Sisters Week, the event began in 2014. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, in coordination with Saint Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, launched the event to bring greater visibility to Catholic sisters, showcasing their lives and contributions and encouraging young women to consider a vocation in religious life.

WHY WOMEN CHOOSE TO BECOME NUNS

Women choose to become nuns for various reasons, often stemming from a deep spiritual calling or vocation and a desire to dedicate one's life to God and to serve others in a religious context. Many are also motivated by a commitment to social justice, a desire to help the needy, or a passion for educational or missionary work.

The week aims to inspire a new generation of women to consider a life of religious service. By showcasing the diverse ways Catholic sisters contribute to society, the event seeks to dispel misconceptions about religious life and highlight its relevance in the modern world.

Washington DC cherry trees in bloom with the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument taken from the Potomac River—photo LD Lewis

NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Date: March 20 - April 14, 2024

Location: Washington DC, United States

Champion: Events DC

The National Cherry Blossom Festival occurs in Washington DC each year, commencing in March and concluding in April over four weeks. However, the blooms only last about ten days, and the peak viewing period is announced in early March. Usually, this occurs around April 4 each year.

The Washington DC cherry trees, gifted to the United States by the nation of Japan in 1912, fully bloom during this month. The city has various events, including craft fairs, art exhibits, cultural events, and scripted walks. The festival begins with a Pink Tie Party on the first evening and concludes with a fireworks display over the city on the last.

Saint Patrick's Day celebrates the Patron Saint of Ireland, who died in 460 AD.

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

Date: March 17, [460 AD]

Location: Ireland, Worldwide

Champion: Historical Anniversary, National Holiday in Ireland

Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday that has taken on a life of its own as a celebration of everything Irish. It's prevalent in the United States and an excuse to throw a party, wear green (or you could get pinched), and drink beer, usually dyed green with food coloring. Along with the Super Bowl and New Year's Eve, Saint Patrick's Day is the heaviest alcohol consumption day in the United States.

The true meaning of Saint Patrick's Day is to honor Saint Patrick, who died on March 17, 460 AD. Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. At age 16, he was kidnapped from England and forced into slavery in Ireland. He escaped, only to return to the Emerald Isle and bring Christianity to the pagan people.

The first Saint Patrick's Day celebration in the United States occurred in New York City on March 17, 1762. It is one of the few times during the season of Lent that Catholics can break the ban against meat and spirits to celebrate.

So why is Saint Patrick's Day celebrated in over 100 countries today—including Mongolia? Well, marketing.

In the 1990s, Guinness, the dark beer of Ireland, began exporting "Irish Pubs" to cities worldwide. Eager entrepreneurs took advantage of the opportunity and support (including pre-made do-it-yourself Irish-style bars and furniture). It proved to be a genius move by Guinness, increasing beer sales and spectacularly exporting Irish culture.

Alone time is heaven to introverts—promptography LD Lewis.

NATIONAL INTROVERTS WEEK

Date: March 18-24, 2024

Location: United States

Champion: Matthew Pollard

When I began researching this event, I was surprised to learn that I am an introvert. You see, my career choices require an extroverted personality. My ideal vacation? Give me a month of isolation in a snow-bound cabin in secluded Alaska or on a sailboat meandering the open seas over a crowded resort in Mexico any day. How about you?

National Introverts Week celebrates and highlights the unique strengths and qualities of introverts. The week, initiated in 2018 by author and introvert advocate Matthew Pollard, aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of introversion in a society that often values extroverted traits. Pollard's work focuses on introversion. The observance seeks to debunk common myths about introversion, showcase the successes of introverted individuals, and provide resources for introverts to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

WHAT IS AN INTROVERT?

An introvert is a personality who gains energy from alone time rather than social interaction. Unlike extroverts, who thrive on socializing, introverts often find that too much interaction can be draining and require solitude to recharge. Some people can appear outgoing and gregarious in social settings but be introverted. Their job or social situation may depend on this. However, when choosing what they want to do, it is often a less crowded event or situation.

As we age, we tend to be more introverted, too.

Matthew Pollard's initiative, National Introvert Week, strives to strengthen our understanding of different personality types in various aspects of life.

Yet another religious cult drives 100s of believers to commit mass suicide, this time in Africa.

SHAKAHOLA CULT MASSACRE

Date: March 21 [2023]

Location: Kenya

Champion: Historical Anniversary

March 21, 2023, is the assumed anniversary of the beginning of the Shakahola Cult Massacre. The actual date is yet to be determined.

The Shakahola Cult Massacre is the largest religious cult suicide since Jim Jones of the Peoples Temple led 909 of his followers in Guyana to drink cyanide-laced Flavor-aid in 1978. To date (July 2023), 419 bodies have been exhumed, and 613 people remain unaccounted for. Should all be found dead, Shakahola cult suicide victims will exceed Jonestown by over 100 people.

Unlike Jonestown, the Malindi Cult adult members chose their death through starvation, which can take weeks.

The world discovered the shocking event in April 2023, when a man reported missing his wife and daughter after joining Paul Nthenge Mackenzie's Good News International Ministries community in Kilifi County, Kenya. According to eyewitness testimonies, Mackenzie instructed his followers to fast and sequester from the outside world, threatening death to those who changed their minds or took too long to die. Police investigating the community found emaciated bodies and shallow graves but were able to rescue fifteen members; four died on the way to the hospital.

By May 10, 2023, 133 deaths were documented, primarily children and women, with evidence of starvation, strangulation, suffocation, and blunt trauma as causes of death. A total of ninety-one starving survivors emerged and were rescued, with 65 facing suicide charges, a crime in Kenya.

Ultimately, 36 suspects were arrested, with one dying during a hunger strike in custody. Mackenzie, his third wife Rhoda Mumbua Maweu, and 16 others face terrorism-related charges.

Update: On February 6, 2024, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie was charged with 191 counts of murder in a Kenyan court.

OK is a universally recognized word in nearly every language.

OK DAY

Date: March 23 [1839]

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Historical Anniversary

Happy OK Day. The etymology of "okay" first appeared on March 23, 1839, in the Boston Morning Herald as an editing abbreviation of "oll korrect," a deliberate misspelling of "all correct." This usage was part of a broader fad for playful abbreviations and misspellings. The term gained popularity and became cemented in American English during the 1840 presidential campaign of Martin Van Buren. His nickname, "Old Kinderhook," after his hometown in New York, was shortened by his supporters to "OK Club," which helped to popularize the term.

From its American origins, "okay" began spreading across the globe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, facilitated by the expansion of American influence and the rise of English as a global lingua franca. Its simplicity, versatility, and ease of pronunciation made it an attractive addition to other languages, often retaining its positive affirmation meaning. Today, "okay" is understood and used in nearly every prominent language, serving as a testament to its remarkable adaptability and universal appeal.

The "OK" hand gesture involves forming a circle with the thumb and forefinger while the other fingers remain extended. In some cultures, it is a positive sign of agreement or satisfaction. In others, like Brazil, it means "asshole" and can have offensive connotations or be considered a vulgar gesture. Furthermore, with the rise of Christian nationalism in North America, the "OK" hand sign has been co-opted by white supremacists, leading to a reevaluation of its use and meaning.

Independence Day

• Bosnia - Herzegovina (March 1, 1992)

• Bangladesh (March 26, 1971)

• Ghana (March 6, 1957)

• Greece (March 25, 1832)

• Lithuania (March 11, 1990)

• Mauritius (March 12, 1968)

• Namibia (March 21, 1990)

• Tunisia (March 20, 1956)

Liberation Day

• Bulgaria (March 3, 1878)

• Philippines (March 3, 1945)

Martyr's Day

• Malawi (March 3, 1959)

National Day

• Gabon (March 12, 1968)

• Holy See (March 13, 2013)

Resistance Day

• Myanmar (March 27, 1945)

Revolution Day

• Syria (March 8, 1963)

MAJOR MARCH SPORTING EVENTS

• Adelaide Cup (Horse Racing): March 11, 2024 — Australia

• AKC Agility Championship (Dogs): March 14-17, 2024 — United States

• All Africa Games (Multi-sport): March 8-23, 2024 — Ghana

• Baikal Ice Marathon (Running): March 5, 2024 — Russia (estimated)

• Birkebeinerrennet (Cross Country Skiing): March 16, 2024 — Norway

• Cheer & Dance National Championship, NAIA (Cheerleading): March 8-9, 2024 — United States

• Finnmarksløpet (Dog Sled Races): March 9-17, 2024 — Norway

• Grand Prix of Bahrain (Auto Racing): March 2, 2024 — Bahrain

• Iditarod (Dog Sled Races): March 2-16, 2024 — United States

• Magners Cheltenham Festival (Horse Racing): March 12-15, 2024 — United Kingdom

• March Madness (Basketball): March 17 - April 8, 2024 — United States

• Opening Day (Baseball): March 28, 2024 — United States

• Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Auto Racing): March 9, 2024 — Saudi Arabia

• Six Nations (Rugby): February 3-March 16, 2024 — United Kingdom, Italy, France, Ireland

• Ski-Joring Finals (Horse Skiing): March 9-10, 2024 — United States

• Tokyo Marathon (Running): March 3, 2024 —Japan

• Wife Carrying Competition (Endurance): March 17, 2024 — United Kingdom

FEATURED EVENT

Easter egg hunts are a favorite Easter tradition—promptography LD Lewis

EASTER & PASSIONTIDE

Date: March 31, 2024; March 17-30, 2024

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Christian Holiday

Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is considered the holiest day of the Christian calendar and marks the fulfillment of the biblical promise to Abraham—that from his line, the Messiah would come, and through Him, all nations (people) of the world would be blessed. The Bible tells of Jesus' friends discovering that He had risen from the dead at dawn on the third day after His crucifixion (known as Good Friday).

Orthodox Christians follow a different calendar, celebrating Easter on May 5 this year.

Christians traditionally celebrate this renewal of life and the forgiveness of sin with colored Easter eggs. German legend suggests these eggs are brought and hidden by a rabbit. Rabbits are the ancient symbol of spring and renewal. However, the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny are not a part of The Bible. Each is symbolism. Eggs and bunnies remind people of new life granted to them through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The early Christian church celebrated Easter at different times. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea decided that the holiday would be the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, meaning non-Orthodox Easter would always be sometime between March 22 and April 25.

Easter marks the end of Passiontide.

PASSIONTIDE

Passiontide is observed over a fortnight (two weeks). It is the holiest period in the Christian liturgical year and focuses on Jesus Christ's passion (suffering and death). It begins on the fifth Sunday of Lent, Passion Sunday, and concludes on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. This period encompasses the final two weeks of Lent, including Holy Week, the last week of Passiontide, and one of the most sacred times of the Christian calendar.

During Passiontide, the mood of the liturgical celebrations becomes more somber and reflective, emphasizing the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. This shift is reflected in various ways across different Christian traditions:

CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS DURING PASSIONTIDE

1. Veiling of Images: In many churches, it is customary to veil crosses, statues, and other religious images in purple fabric from Passion Sunday until the end of the Good Friday service. This practice symbolizes the deep mourning over Jesus' passion and serves as a visual reminder of the solemnity of the season.

2. Liturgical Changes: The liturgy during Passiontide may include additional prayers, readings, and hymns that focus on suffering, sacrifice, and redemption. The use of specific liturgical colors, especially purple, highlights the penitential nature of the season.

3. Holy Week Observances: Holy Week, the final week of Passiontide, includes several vital days that commemorate the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and death, including:

• Palm Sunday: Celebrates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

• Maundy Thursday: Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.

• Good Friday: Marking Jesus' crucifixion and death.

• Holy Saturday: A day of quiet reflection and waiting for Easter.

On Easter Sunday, churches hold special services, which often include the reenactment of the Stations of the Cross (the path Jesus took through Jerusalem dragging the cross to His execution), processions, and extended periods of prayer and fasting. These practices deepen the faithful's participation in the mystery of Jesus' passion.

Passiontide is a time for Christians to reflect deeply on the cost of their salvation and the depth of Jesus' love and to prepare their hearts for the joy of His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

COUSINS IN THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS AND EASTER

Easter is the first demarcation point between Islam and Christianity.

Muslims believe in Jesus Christ as a great prophet and a messenger of God, and Many of His sermons and teachings are included in the Qu'ran. Like Christians, they believe He will return someday in judgment. The Virgin Mary, likewise, is revered in Islam.

Where Muslims begin to diverge from Christians is the resurrection, which Easter celebrates. Islam does not teach that Jesus arose from the dead. However, they do believe he ascended into heaven upon his crucifixion.

Judaism diverges from its cousins upon the birth of Jesus, a holiday known as Christmas. The Jewish faith believes Jesus Christ is neither a prophet nor the Messiah, which they believe is yet to come. He is barely acknowledged in the faith; rather, He is briefly mentioned in oral traditions as a troublesome rabbi who was executed for his heresies.

All three Abrahamic faiths, however, share versions of the first five books of the Old Testament and the values presented in what Christians refer to as The Ten Commandments. These commandments underlie what is known as Abrahamic Values, named after the patriarch of the Israelites.

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This year, March includes Ramadan and several other religious holidays, which I covered in depth in my previous issue, A Whole' Lota Holy Volume II.

As the past few months have been filled with death, starvation, extreme cruelty, and unprecedented destruction, my next issue will cover something cuddly and noncontroversial—events devoted to pets. I need cute and fluffy; how about you?

Please like, subscribe, and share. See you in March, and thank you for the gift of your time!

 

 

Last updated: Feb 7th 2024