10 Unique March Holidays to Celebrate

March is filled with a variety of special days that celebrate health, joy and reflection. From supporting better sleep for babies to recognizing the invaluable contributions of medical professionals, March holidays are a perfect opportunity to raise awareness and appreciate the essential elements of life.

Each of these observances brings something unique, offering a chance to make positive changes or simply indulge in the pleasures of food and laughter. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the key holidays in March, diving into their meanings and the ways we can participate and make a difference.

Goodnight, it’s time to sleep (Baby Sleep Day)

March 1 – By Xiaotong Meng

The Pediatric Sleep Council, a team of international sleep experts, observed Baby Sleep Day on March 1, with the purpose of emphasizing the importance of sleep for a baby and family members in general.

Having a good sleep at night is essential for everyone, especially for a growing child. High quality of sleep could help our brains function, relax our bodies, reduce disease risk and keep weight under control.

Unfortunately, a lot of sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea have affected many people. Based on the data from the American Academy of Pediatrics, sleep issues could influence 25 to 50% of children and 40% of adolescents.

Each kid deserves a healthy and happy life. Therefore, Baby Sleep Day sets a reminder for us to fight sleep concerns and raise awareness about the benefits of having good sleep. It also marks the beginning of National Sleep Awareness Week.

Each month, more than 500,000 parents visit The Baby Sleep Site to ask questions and find answers for their kids’ sleep difficulties.

If your children or yourself really have serious issues with falling asleep, don’t feel bad. We recommend you see a therapist or a doctor and find out the real issue.

This annual holiday was first celebrated on March 1, 2017, when the three founders met each other and ate pickles. They said, “If we were all overcome by happiness from a better sleep, we may finally be close to achieving world peace.”

For that moment, this important day highlights the importance of sleep and its various effects on both our physical and mental health.

Poor sleeping habits may lead to anxiety and depression, thus, a good night’s sleep could sweep them away and build a better well-being.

As a result, we encourage each individual to have a regular bedtime, reduce the intake of caffeine and alcohol before bed and embrace a healthy sleep pattern.

Let’s create a better world for those with dementia (Denim Day for Dementia)

First Friday of March – By Xiaotong Meng

Memory and cognitive abilities are essential for humans, and it is a normal process for those functions to decline as we age. 

However, we need to be aware of when these functions begin to drop without any explanation. One of the significant syndromes is dementia, which could cause a person’s memory loss and affect thought processes and emotional control.

In this case, the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland founded Denim Day for Dementia on the first Friday of March, which falls on March 3 this year.

The purpose of establishing this holiday is to encourage the public to wear denim, in order to help raise funds for the 55,000 people with dementia in Ireland.

Dementia is defined as a condition resulting from changes in the brain. It was recognized as a medical term and first used in 1797.

Today, a lot of people may feel confused about the term dementia with Alzheimer’s disease. The fact is they are not the same.

Alzheimer’s disease can be described as a progressive form of dementia as a person gradually having trouble with memory and cognition. On the other hand, dementia is a more severe syndrome that could influence people’s brain functions, memory, emotions and communication skills.

Unfortunately, like Alzheimer’s disease, there is currently no cure for any form of dementia.

We love helping people. Today, it’s the best time for us to show our love and care toward those who are suffering from dementia.

The younger generation may not even have heard about dementia before or be unaware of this disorder, we should use today to raise awareness and spread useful information about dementia to educate more people. It is our responsibility to get those carers and patients who fight dementia voices heard.

Additionally, don’t forget to wear denim and donate to the cause to support people living with dementia and their carers today.

What You Should Know About Commonwealth Day

Second Monday of March – By Xiaotong Meng

Commonwealth Day is a worldwide holiday that is celebrated by an estimated two billion people each year. It falls on the second Monday in March, which takes place on March 13 this year.

In 1902, this holiday was originally called “Empire Day” in honor of Queen Victoria. Then the idea was transformed into establishing a holiday to glorify England, the unity between nations of the Commonwealth and its pursuit of freedom, justice and tolerance.

Empire Day was celebrated in Canada for 14 years before its official worldwide recognition. Ten years later, this holiday became more well-known in Europe, specifically in Great Britain.

In 1925, the British royal family attended an Empire Day Thanksgiving celebration at Wembley Stadium, and it brought over 90,000 people to follow this big event.

In 1958, the then-Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan, renamed Empire Day as Commonwealth Day, sharing culture and history together. Later on, the Royal Commonwealth Society observed the second Monday in March as the date to celebrate.

Today, there is a lot of controversy behind the mortality of the Commonwealth. Some countries view it as a significant public holiday while others may still identify the Queen of England as their sovereign.

The Commonwealth of nations includes 53 countries with only 16 still recognizing the British Queen as their monarch. In this case, lots of debates are raised about whether or not this is a problematic holiday.

However, Commonwealth Day is still celebrated by many countries around the world. It is a vital historical day to celebrate unity and diversity in order to foster a better understanding of the role of the Commonwealth association.

On this day, you can find several parties and interesting festivals held with good food and music in different parts of the world, as well as many celebrities speaking in honor of the society.

Therefore, no matter where you are, don’t be afraid to go out and find a place to celebrate. It is a great time to show your pride and support for the achievements of the Commonwealth.

Being Wrong Can Help You Realize You’re Not Always Right (Everything You Think Is Wrong Day)

March 15 – By Xiaotong Meng

It is okay to make mistakes because no one can be right all the time, and what matters is the process of correcting them. In this case, we celebrate an interesting and unofficial holiday, Everything You Think Is Wrong Day, on March 15 each year.

The history and origin of this holiday were unknown, probably because the creator was so humble, and they wanted everyone to focus on the meaning that today delivers to each individual.

A lot of times, people don’t want to admit and accept their mistakes. However, today is proof that making mistakes isn’t the end of the world. Instead, it is a start to get back on the right track and justify our actions.

Our society is a complex set of processing different decisions and relationships. We could either accept those errors and move on to a better day, or stand still and keep thinking about the bad side of things.

Many people have seen the way of accepting mistakes equals weakness, but the truth is only those who admit mistakes and organize themselves to embrace a brighter tomorrow are the ones that are truly strong and successful.

According to research, people who accept their mistakes and treat others with more respect would have a more powerful mindset. Today is a great opportunity to remind us that no one is perfect. All we need to do is to take responsibility and make an attempt to fix things.

On this day, you could take some time to reflect on your past mistakes, then correct them and act accordingly in your life. You could also use social media and encourage others to make smart choices.

Additionally, you know what? There is also a day called “Everything You Think Is Right Day”, which takes place on the next day (March 16) to collect all your wrong-doings.

Therefore, don’t feel bad about messing something up, the core of this holiday is to get better every day and take life easy.

Every child can succeed and they are important (Absolutely Incredible Kid Day)

Third Thursday of March – By Xiaotong Meng

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is celebrated on the third Thursday in March, which takes place on March 16 this year.

Today sets up a reminder for adults to leave a warm note to a young person and lets them know how amazing and unique they are.

In 1970, a lot of people got inspired by the widespread mission “guide young people on their journey to self-discovery” from a youth development group called Camp Fire Girl.

Five years later, Camp Fire Girl rebranded as Camp Fire with the values of work, health and love. It also developed into the first multiracial and multicultural organization in America at that time.

After a few years, Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® was observed with the purpose of encouraging adults to support each child in their lives.

In 2010, the participants got involved in Camp Fire lighting campfires from coast to coast at the same time to celebrate the 100th anniversary, which lasted one century for people to lift up the younger generations nationwide.

Later on, Camp Fire started to teach kids and teens social-emotional learning skills (SEL), and it has turned out quite successful.

In addition to educating children on essential skills, Camp Fire was also committed to helping kids “use their voice and find their sparks.” It is very important to figure out what a child feels passionate about, in order to improve their chances of success.

Many studies have shown that encouragement from parents or other family members could boost a child’s self-esteem and help them become more responsible. Therefore, parents could simply tell a young person in your life what makes them so incredible.

If you don’t feel comfortable giving a compliment face-to-face, you could also write a letter to the young blood by acknowledging their achievements, telling them how awesome they are and cheering them on to do great things in the future.

Laugh harder, smile bigger (Act Happy Day)

Third Monday of March – By Xiaotong Meng

Act Happy Day is an unofficial holiday that simply brings happiness and joy in life. It is celebrated on the third Monday of March each year.

Back in 2004, Dr. Anderson observed the day to carry on positivity in everyday life. He believed that if people start smiling and acting happy, they would eventually feel happy.

In 1955, Dr. Anderson finished his pre-medical studies at Carleton College. Five years later, he became a surgeon at the Minnesota Medical School.

With over 35 years of experience working in the biochemical and patient education field, he had a lot of knowledge of researching health issues.

Today, a lot of us are working in a high-pressure environment, and many people begin to feel anxious and exhausted. We may find ourselves rarely laughing and truly being happy. Therefore, Dr. Anderson suggested that a person should start his/her day with a 15-minute belly laugh.

When we laugh, our brain could release a chemical called endorphins and lighten up our mood, just like some people would feel excited after workouts.

As a result, Dr. Anderson initiated this holiday to bring awareness to the benefits of laughter. Today is dedicated to delivering joyfulness and developing well-being, no matter what kind of circumstances we are facing.

This day gives us a chance to enjoy fun activities that you probably often procrastinate to do. You could also watch a comedy show or play games with a group of friends. Be sure to have everybody rolling on the floor and laughing, you might even get a stomach cramp.

Laughter is the best medicine to treat anxiety and depression. It could trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in our bodies as well as relieve pain and stress.

So, why don’t you take today to just be happy and smile? It’s very normal to have bad days in life, but nothing is better than keeping a positive mindset and moving on to solve all the problems. Have a great Act Happy Day!

Happy belly: chips and dip (Chips and Dip Day)

March 23 – By Xiaotong Meng

Chips and Dip Day is celebrated on March 23 each year. Chips and dip — a perfect combination — could serve as great snacks for different games, parties and picnics. It is loved by almost everyone of all ages.

The origin of the day remains unknown, and the only thing we know is that both chips and dip have been a part of the human diet for a long time.

Greek tzatziki was the earliest dip that became very popular, and people usually consumed it with bread instead of chips. The recipe for the dip included a combination of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt and olive oil.

The dip is also not limited to bread or chips, so you could go with meats or any citrus fruits. Moreover, guacamole, an avocado-based dip that many people are obsessed with, was first made by the Aztecs.

In addition to discussing the various types of dips, potato chips have also emerged for over 150 years, and they were invented by a cook named George Crum in 1853. However, it was totally an accident.

Because of a customer’s complaint that the potato wedges were too thick, Crum decided to cut the potato slices very thin, and he could even see through those slices when he fired them. Then Crum topped the fried potato slices with an excessive amount of salt.

Surprisingly, the customer really loved it, and that was how potato chips were made.

Today, chips and dip are a very delicious dish that many people can’t stop snacking on. We could choose the types of chips from an array of choices, such as tortilla chips, corn chips, vegetable chips and many more. Similarly, dips can also be in various flavors and are usually made with sour cream, cheese, salsas and seasonings.

Take this celebration to enjoy some great chips and dip. Lay out all kinds on a tasting tray, or you could even hand-cut potato slices and make your own dip at home.

Dear Philly, you have my absolute favorite — the cheesesteak (National Cheesesteak Day)

March 24 – By Xiaotong Meng

On March 24, we celebrate National Cheesesteak Day. The mouth-wateringly delicious sandwich, cheesesteak, is often made from thinly sliced beefsteak with melted cheese on top in a king-sized roll.

When we have a cheesesteak, we often think about Philadelphia. Yes, the cheesesteak was originally from South Philly, and today it developed into a cultural icon of classic sandwiches.

Back in 1930, Pat and Harry Olivieri, the owners of Pat’s King of Steaks and hot dog sellers, grilled beef and put in some onions to make sandwiches for themselves to eat.

However, a nearby taxi driver was very interested in the food, and he asked for the same one as well. From that moment, the rest was history.

The taxi driver quickly fell in love with this delicious sandwich and even told the Olivieris that he should stop selling hot dogs and, instead, start selling this new sandwich.

In the beginning, the Olivieris sold the steak sandwich only at their hot dog stand. Surprisingly, it became very popular within the area. In 1940, the Oliviers opened their own restaurant, Pat’s King of Steak, to continue to sell sandwiches in South Philly.

The diner is still running successfully today. According to the Olivieris, the original sandwich didn’t have cheese inside. A manager named Joe Lorenza was the first one to add cheese and combine the flavor with the beefsteak.

Nowadays, cheesesteak has developed into part of Philly culture. The company Charleys Philly Steaks, located in Columbus, Ohio, was the “World’s Number One Philly Cheesesteak” with over 550 locations in 45 states and 20 countries.

There’s no denying it — celebrate this holiday by eating a tasty cheesesteak to satisfy your taste buds. If you have time and money, go to Philadelphia and visit the cheesesteak homeland. Don’t forget to stop at Pat’s or other restaurants to try out their amazing sandwiches.

Doctors are angels in white coats (National Doctors’ Day)

March 30 – By Xiaotong Meng

Every year on March 30, we have Doctors’ Day to celebrate and recognize the hard work of our lifesavers — doctors, physicians and surgeons.

This holiday was first celebrated in 1933 in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of a doctor in Georgia, believed her husband and other physicians deserved more recognition and appreciation.

Therefore, Almond mailed greeting cards to all the local physicians and their wives to make this idea real. She also visited those deceased doctors and put flowers on their graves to show her thanks.

A lot of people supported Almond’s idea, and they also assisted her to organize a celebratory luncheon for the doctors and physicians, so that their efforts could be publicly appreciated.

Doctors’ Day has been unofficially celebrated for years until March 30, 1958, when both the House and the Senate approved a resolution in honor of doctors. On October 30, 1990, President George W. Bush signed this legislative proposal.

From then on, Doctors’ Day officially developed into a national holiday within the United States.

Moreover, in many other countries around the world, people also commemorate their doctors but on a different day. For instance, Spain, Cuba and Argentina use December 3 to honor Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay’s birthday, the first person who identified mosquitos as the original infection of yellow fever.

Almond’s observance of sending greeting cards to physicians, both alive and dead, has turned into a tradition ever since for people to show their thankfulness for doctors who have been contributing to their field of expertise.

Based on some data, a doctor typically needs to work nearly 60 hours a week or even more, which means they work 1.5 times more years than the average American.

Today is the moment to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Send your doctor a thank you email, leave them a warm note or donate to the local medical center.

To all the doctors, physicians and surgeons, you guys are absolutely superheroes in this world. Thank you for everything you’ve done for each patient.

Anesthesia — a scientific breakthrough in the medical field (Anesthesia Tech Day)

March 31 – By Xiaotong Meng

We celebrate Anesthesia Tech Day on March 31 annually in honor of technologists’ contributions and efforts toward anesthesiology and the medical field.

The use of anesthesia can be traced back to ancient times when Babylons, Greeks and Chinese took natural herbs orally. Then in the 1200s, an Italian physician used sponges soaked in mandrake plant extract and opium to reduce a patient’s pain in surgery.

Without something efficient to relieve the pain from surgery, many patients had to rely on opium, alcohol or even a bullet bite.

When the Civil War came, having a lot of surgeries on many wounded soldiers was becoming more common. In this case, it was clear that doctors and scientists needed to prioritize and invent more advanced anesthesia to treat patients.

In 1846, Dentist William T.G. Morton in Boston, Massachusetts, had the first successful surgical procedure with anesthesia for a vascular tumor removal surgery. This first test for using anesthesia also brought him a lot of financial support later in the medical field.

One year later, Scottish obstetrician James Y. Simpson provided a type of anesthesia for a woman when she was giving birth.

With the progressive use of anesthesia in all aspects of surgery, in 1902, Dr. Mathias J. Seifert of Chicago coined the terms “anesthesiology” and “anesthesiologist.”

Although anesthesia has turned into a staple medical tool to help patients ease pain, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine found that anesthesia may affect our brain functions and cause memory loss.

Therefore, just like any other branch of science, the field of anesthesia is under constant research and development as well.

Today not only encourages us to show our thankfulness to those medical professionals for their hard work, but also motivates the future generation to realize that being an anesthesiologist is a great career path that they could choose. Happy Anesthesia Tech Day!

Conclusion

March holidays serve as a reminder that even the smallest actions can have a big impact. Whether it’s helping raise awareness for dementia, acknowledging the efforts of doctors, or just taking a moment to smile, these days allow us to reflect on our well-being and the health of those around us. Let’s celebrate these observances with open hearts and a willingness to make the world a better place, one holiday at a time.