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March 2006 Celebrations: National Women's History Month, St. Patrick's Day

Ash Wednesday - March 1, 2006 - Christianity - Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter in Western Churches. Lent is the period before the Christian holy day of Easter. The central symbol of that day is the ash with which Catholics mark foreheads of people. Ash is a traditional symbol of mourning.

Martenitza-March 1, 2006 - Bulgaria - Bulgarians celebrate spring by exchanging red-and-white yarn designs called martenitza to symbolize health.

St. David’s Day- March 1, 2006-Wales - He is the patron saint of Wales and died on this day.

Chalanda Marz-March 1, 2006-Switzerland - A very old Engadin tradition, the Engadin schoolchildren drive away winter with bells and songs.

Great Prayer Festival - March 1-6, 2006 - Tibet - Monks from the three great monasteries of Tibet assemble in Jikhang to pray to Shakayamuni’s image as if it were the Living Buddha.

Ala - 19-Day Fast Begins - March 2, 2006 - Bahai - 'Alá (Loftiness) is the 19th and final month. It marks the beginning of a 19-day fast which lasts until March 20th and which prepares worshipers for Naw Rúz. Those of age and in good health abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

Hinamatsuri Doll Festival - March 3, 2006 - Japan - This festival is combined with the Spring Festival. Ceremonial dolls are displayed to honor the daughters in the family.

World Day of Prayer - March 3, 2006 - Christian- is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service. 

Great Fast Begins - March 6, 2006 - Christianity - This day is the first of The Great Fast (or the Great Lent), the 40 day period prior to the beginning of Holy Week that ends with Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday is celebrated in Eastern churches.

Butter-Lamp Festival - March 6, 2006 - Tibet - To celebrate Shakayamuni’s victory over non-Buddhist opponents in 1409, Lord Neu Dzong, a noted patron of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter lamps. The tradition has since then flourished.

Alamo Day - March 6, 2006 - Mexico/USA - Anniversary of the slaughter of Texans at the Alamo fort in 1836.

International Women's Day - March 8, 2006 - UN -is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

Interfaith Services for Commonwealth Day  - March 12, 2006 - UK- is an annual celebration held on the second Monday in March, which is marked by a service in Westminster Abbey attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen also records a Commonwealth Day message which is broadcast by radio throughout the member nations of the Commonwealth.

Eve of Purim - March 13, 2006 - Judaism - Purim celebrates victory over an oppressive ruler, as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. The festival begins at sundown the previous day. Suspension of work is not required.

Commonwealth Day - March 13, 2006 - UK - is an annual celebration held on the second Monday in March, which is marked by a service in Westminster Abbey attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen also records a Commonwealth Day message which is broadcast by radio throughout the member nations of the Commonwealth.

Holi - March 14, 2006 - Hinduism - Holi, a colorful and joyous festival, is dedicated to Krishna or Kama.

Purim - March 14, 2006 Judaism - Purim celebrates victory over an oppressive ruler, as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. The festival begins at sundown the previous day. Suspension of work is not required.

Sikh New Year's Day - March 14, 2006 - Sikhism - This date marks the beginning of the year 538 of the Nanakshahi Era.

Hola Mohalla - March 15, 2006 - Sikhism - A three-day festival following Holi, Hola Mohalla was instituted by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, as a time for military preparedness exercises. Today, mock battles are followed by music competitions and festivities.

Ghamber Hamaspathmaedem begins - March 16, 2006 - Zoroastrianism - Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem occurs on the intercalary days and marks celebration of the creation of human beings. Souls who have passed away are also honored and remembered.

St. Patrick's Day - March 17, 2006 - Ireland, USA - The anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, who was regarded as a patron saint for spreading Catholicism throughout Ireland. On this day the Irish, as well as descendants, celebrate being Irish.

Kwan Yin Day - March 19, 2006 - Buddhism - Buddhism teaches that everyone may reach the perfected state and each person is a Bodhisattva or Buddha-to-be. In Chinese tradition, the symbolic future Buddha is Kwan Yin, a female dispensing compassion with a thousand arms.

19-Day Fast ends - March 20, 2006 - Bahai - 'Alá (Loftiness) is the 19th and final month. It marks the beginning of a 19-day fast which lasts until March 20th and which prepares worshipers for Naw Rúz. Those of age and in good health abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

Spring Ohigon - March 20, 2006 - Buddhism - Spring Ohigon is a special time for Jodo Shinshu Buddhists. They listen to the teaching of the Buddha and meditate on the perfection of enlightenment.

Shunkisorei-sai - March 20, 2006 - Shinto - The March Memorial Service is held at home altars to revere ancestors as kami. Gravesites are cleaned and purified.

Ghamber Hamaspathmaedem ends - March 20, 2006-Zoroastrianism - Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem occurs on the intercalary days and marks celebration of the creation of human beings. Souls who have passed away are also honored and remembered.

Naw Ruz & Baha - March 21, 2006 - Bahai - Naw Rúz, New Year 163 BE of the Bahá'í Era. Bahá'ís feast and celebrate during the evening. The first month of the Bahá'í year is Bahá (Splendor).

Now Ruz - March 21, 2006 - Zoroastrianism - Now Ruz (New Day) is New Year's day for 1375 AY or 3744 AZ in the Fasli (seasonal) calendar. It celebrates the renewal of the world and the creation of fire (symbolic of Asha or righteousness). Zarathustra received his revelation on this day.

Chetra Navratras - March 21, 2006 - India - This festival honoring Great Goddess Mha Devi as Gauri — life, growth, and fruition — is honored by keeping a fast.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - March 21, 2006 - UN - is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the UN General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

World Day for Water - March 22, 2006 - UN - The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water by adopting a resolution. World Water Day is an opportunity for individuals, groups, organizations and governments to raise awareness of the importance of conserving and managing our water resources by organizing initiatives and activities related to water.

Independence Day - March 25, 2006 - Greece - Commemorating the day in 1821 when Greece gained independence from Turkey.

Evangelismou - March 25, 2006 - Greece - The Greeks combined the national Independence Day with the Annunciation and what was earlier believed to be the spring equinox. Greeks wear traditional clothes and celebrate with speeches and folk dancing.

Independence Day - March 26, 2006 - Bangladesh - In 1971, the nation of Bangladesh won a brutal war against the Central Pakastani government thus gaining its independence.

Kuhio Day - March 26, 2006 - Hawaii - A state holiday, it celebrates Prince Kuhio’s birthday. He is remembered for actively promoting Hawaiian culture and getting Congress to pass the 1829 Hawaiian Homes Act, providing homesteads for native Hawaiians.

Birth Anniversary of Zarathustra - March 26, 2006 - Zoroastianism - This day mark's the anniversary of Zarathustra's birth.

New Year's Day - March 30, 2006 - Hinduism - Bikarami Samvat 2063 begins.

Ram Navami - March 30, 2006 - India - A fast is usually kept to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama, who is believed to be one of the incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu.