March is finally gracing us with its presence! Not sure about you – but Janu-worry morphed into Febru-worry – and it has been quite the journey. Here are some facts about March to welcome in the new month.
Fun Facts About March
Happy New Year! (ancient Romans)
March is the third month of the Gregorian calendar. But if you were born before 150 B.C. it would have been the first. Ancient Roman calendars show that one year was ten months long, starting in March. We can see traces of this in our modern calendar. December used to be the tenth month, it named after the number ten in Latin. Just as September comes from the Latin meaning ‘seventh’ month.
What about January and February? Well, ancient Romans left these two winter months nameless – proving how awful the winters must have been…
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Make some pie on Pi Day
You can be a math geek or just a lover of puns or pie! Pi Day day has something for everyone. The holiday celebrates the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter and is held on 3/14, or March 14. Celebrate it with an episode of Young Sheldon and a slice of lemon meringue (pie)!
March is the month of war – and it was true
This month’s name comes from the Latin Martius (Mars), the Roman god of war, and ancient people honoured the name with real action. March would be the month in which the winter frosts would melt and the ground became fertile for farming in the Northern hemisphere. This also meant it was the best opportunity for warriors to resume warring.
Pack your bags, explore South Africa
Back to the homeland, where the weather in March is perfect for travelling and holidays! The warm weather typically maxes at 27°C throughout the day, with roughly 12 hours of daylight. More than enough time to opt for a kayaking adventure, a spot of ice cream and sunset mountain walk. The nighttime is a lot cooler during March, with temperatures dropping to an estimated 14°C. So pack some light warm clothes to fight the chill.
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Human Rights Day, March 21
This important day is more than just a public holiday. It historically links with the events of Sharpeville on March 21, 1960. On this day, 69 people were killed and 180 others wounded when police fired on a gathering protesting the Pass laws. Human Rights Day is a reminder of the sacrifices paid for democracy and human rights in South Africa.
Some significant dates in March
March 2: NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly returns to Earth after spending almost one whole year in space! He set a new record for being for spending more time in space than any other US astronaut. After nearly one year aboard the International Space Station, Kelly is two inches taller than his twin brother, Mark. His journey forms part of a study to see how well humans can endure long bouts in spaceflight – mind, body and spirit.
March 20: The Autumn Equinox occurs in the Southern Hemisphere. According to astronomical definition, autumn begins with this equinox. It will occur either on March 20 or 21, and is when the Sun moves north over the celestial equator.
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