Events of the Month

2002-MARCH

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	MARCH is Women's history month.
	MAR-1: This is observed as the World Day of Prayer by some Christians on the first Friday of March. It "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." 1 This year's theme is "Challenged to Reconcile." Roman Catholics observed their Day of Prayer for Peace in the World on 2002-JAN-24.
	MAR-1: The third anniversary of the worldwide landmine ban treaty will be celebrated. As of 2002-SEP-28, 51 countries have not signed the treaty. Included are Afghanistan, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Turkey and the U.S. 2
	MAR-1: The International Death Penalty Abolition Day will be observed. Amnesty International groups around the world will be conducting events and actions in an attempt to persuade countries to abandon the death penalty. 3
	MAR-1: This is St. David's day. Saint David, or Dewi Sant as he is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales. "He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain." 4
	MAR-8: This is International Women's Day. It was created in 1917 to honor the role of women in the Russian Revolution. It has since become an international day of celebration.
	MAR-17: Christians celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Many people, even those without any Irish ancestry, wear green on this day.
	MAR-20: Wiccans and many other Neopagans celebrate spring equinox (a.k.a. Eostre, Ostara and Vernal Equinox) on or about MAR-20 at 19:16 GMT (2:16 PM EST). It is a time to enjoy the rebirth of life after winter. It is a time of balance when daytime and nighttime are both 12 hours in duration.
	MAR-21: Members of the Baha'i Faith celebrate the first day of their year on this day, the nominal time of the spring equinox. It is year 157 BE by their calendar.
	MAR-21: Zoroastrians, with the exception of those living in India, celebrate  Nav Ruz, (New Years) on this day -- the nominal date for the Spring Equinox. It is celebrated with many symbols indicating re-growth and renewal.
	MAR-24: Christians celebrate Palm Sunday on this day -- when Jesus made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
	MAR-25: Roman Catholics celebrate The Annunciation on this day. It is associated with Gabriel's statement to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear a son, Jesus.
	MAR-15: Muslims observe Al-Hijra/Muharram on this day. It is New Years, the first day of the first lunar month.
	MAR-24: Muslims observe the fast of 'Ashura. It recalls an event circa 680-OCT-20 CE in Iraq when an army of the Umayyad regime martyred a group of 70 individuals who refused to submit to the Caliph. One of the martyrs was Imam Husain, the youngest grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
	MAR-28: Jews observe the first day of Pesach on this day, the 15th of Nissan. The 8 day festival recalls the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt circa 1300 BCE. A holiday meal, the Seder, is held at home.
	MAR-31: Christians in the West celebrate Easter (a.k.a. Resurrection Sunday) on this day. They believe that Jesus rose from the dead after having been executed by the Roman Army. Easter is observed on MAY-5 this year among Orthodox Churches.

Events in early April:

APR-7: This is considered the probable date of Jesus' execution, in the year 30 CE. Another likely date was 33-APR-3.

References:

1. "World Day of Prayer," at: http://www.worlddayofprayer.net/
2. "Treaty update," at: http://www.icbl.org/treaty/
3. The home page of Amnesty International USA is at: http://www.amnesty-usa.org/
4. Rhys James Jones, "Saint David and Saint David's Day," at: http://www.sucs.org/~rhys/stdavid.html

Copyright © 2001 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Essay prepared on 2002-FEB-27
Latest update: 2002-MAR-23
Compiled by B.A. Robinson

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