When March Originated

                                         By Shawn Ward 

  March is one of the first to originate in the Roman calendar and has many celebrations and traditions in different cultures. Some or many may celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a more well-known celebration in the European and American region. It is a time to celebrate togetherness with friends and family. Most don’t realize the rich history behind March involving previous eras. 

  “In the early Roman calendar, March (or Martius) was the first month of the calendar year” (“The Month of March 2021: Holidays, Astronomy, Fun Facts …”). March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. “This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter” (“Origins of Month Names: How Did the Months Get Their Names …”). 

  March is the month when spring officially begins, and Daylight Savings takes root typically on the second Sunday in the month (“Use March in a sentence | march definition”). It can be a dramatic month with sometimes wild and shifting weather as Mother Nature tries to shed her winter coat.  

  The most common holiday celebrated in March is St. Patrick’s Day where we dress in green and drink shamrock shakes. 

  March Madness is the time of year usually mid-March through the beginning of April when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments are held. “That term somehow captures the excitement that swirls around the sports world as tournament time approaches” (“What Is March Madness? | Wonderopolis”). 

  Students at Lenape Tech are staying home for St. Patrick’s Day with family for the feast. Some students do not have plans for march and are just living in the moment. 

  Over countless years we have used the Gregorian Calendar and the Roman calendar has since been out of use for countless decades. The celebrations and rich history March holds goes unnoticed by many. In March people still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and now celebrate March Madness for sports events. It is still a time for togetherness and celebrations for family and friends. 

Almanac, Old Farmer’s. “The Month of March 2021: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore.” Www.almanac.com, 1 Mar. 2021, www.almanac.com/content/month-march-holidays-fun-facts-folklore. 

“Definition of MARCH.” Www.merriam-Webster.com, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/march#:~:text=1%20%3A%20to%20move%20or%20cause. Accessed 29 Oct. 2021. 

Old Farmer’s Almanac. “How Did the Months Get Their Names?” Old Farmer’s Almanac, 2 Sept. 2017, www.almanac.com/content/how-did-months-get-their-names. 

 
“What Is March Madness? | Wonderopolis.” Wonderopolis.org, wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-march-madness#:~:text=March%20Madness%20refers%20to%20that.