March
- Joëlle Przytula-Bertherin
- Feb 27, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 27, 2022
March winds and April showers, bring forth May flowers.
Here's a useless blog about the month of March, just because I can.
The name March comes from Martius or Mars, God of War and was the first month of the year during the Roman Empire. A year back then had ten months. January and February were seen as the winter period, after which on March 1st the new year dawned. It became warmer and soldiers could go to battle again. Wars were resumed. A peculiar coincidence is that on March 15, in a period that was associated with warfare, Julius Caesar was also assassinated. Ouch!
By the way, did you know that almost all U.S. military warfare operations began in March?
Both in Vietnam (March 8, 1965), Iraq (March 20, 2003) and Libya (March 19, 2011). In that regard the month unfortunately lives up to its name.
Another weird fact is that on March 1st 2007, the Swiss army accidentally invaded Liechtenstein during a training mission. After an explanation, the Liechtensteiners showed the Swiss the way home.
But all craziness aside; fortunately most of us often associate this period with nicer things. We see the first crocuses appearing above the ground again. It starts to itch a little bit; we want to go outside, work in the garden and do some spring cleaning. Springtime is just around the corner. The spring-equinox is on March 21st and officially starts the astronomical spring. Around this date, the ratio of light to dark is exactly equal, after which the days become longer.
In Dutch, a nickname for March is dorremaand (dry month). This is probably because you still see many trees and bushes without leaves. Maart roert zijn staart (March stirs its tail) is also a common saying in the Netherlands, since it's the month of change. It can snow, it can be sunny, there can be rain or wind. If your birthday is in this March, you are sure to have a surprise on your birthday.
In any case, March has a positive beginning: March 1st is International Compliments Day. So don't forget to be extra nice to the people around you.
Do you know any other interesting facts about March? Drop it below in the comments!
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