15 March - World Sleep Day

 

World Sleep Day is an annual event that occurs on the Friday before the northern hemisphere vernal equinox. It was first organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society, and it aims to raise awareness about the importance of sleep and to advocate for better sleep health.

Observed globally, World Sleep Day typically falls in March each year. During this day, various activities and events are organized by healthcare professionals, sleep experts, educators, and organizations to promote healthy sleep habits and address sleep-related issues such as sleep disorders, insomnia, sleep deprivation, and sleep hygiene.

These activities may include public seminars, workshops, webinars, awareness campaigns through social media and traditional media channels, as well as distribution of educational materials about sleep health. The overarching goal is to emphasize the significance of sleep in maintaining overall health and well-being and to encourage individuals to prioritize good sleep habits.

Each year, World Sleep Day has a specific theme, focusing on different aspects of sleep health and addressing relevant issues. Some common themes include the importance of regular sleep patterns, the impact of technology on sleep, the role of sleep in mental health, and the relationship between sleep and physical wellness.

World Sleep Day serves as a reminder for people to evaluate their sleep habits, seek help if they have sleep-related problems, and make positive changes to improve their sleep quality and quantity for better overall health and quality of life.

 

15 March - World Speech Day

 

World Speech Day is an annual event celebrated on March 15th, dedicated to promoting the power of speech and oratory as a means of communication and expression. It was first established in 2016 with the aim of encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to share their ideas, stories, and perspectives with the world.

On World Speech Day, individuals and organizations around the globe organize various activities such as public speaking events, workshops, debates, panel discussions, storytelling sessions, and competitions. The overarching goal is to inspire and empower individuals to find their voice, express themselves confidently, and contribute positively to their communities and society as a whole.

World Speech Day emphasizes the importance of effective communication skills in fostering understanding, empathy, and dialogue among people from different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints. It celebrates the art of public speaking as a tool for promoting positive change, raising awareness about important issues, and inspiring others to take action.

The theme of World Speech Day may vary each year, but its core mission remains consistent: to celebrate the power of speech and communication in shaping the world for the better.

 

15 March - Honen Matsuri

 

Honen Matsuri, also known as the "Harvest Festival" or "Fertility Festival," is a traditional Japanese celebration held annually on March 15th. It primarily takes place in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, though similar festivals are held in other regions of Japan as well.

During Honen Matsuri, participants carry a large wooden phallus, called an "O-mikoshi," through the streets in a procession, accompanied by music and dancing. The phallus symbolizes fertility and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming harvest season.

The festival has its roots in ancient Shinto traditions and is often associated with prayers for a bountiful harvest and fertility for both crops and people. It's also celebrated as a rite of passage for young men, symbolizing their transition into adulthood.

Honen Matsuri attracts visitors from both Japan and around the world who come to witness the colorful and festive atmosphere. While the festival may seem unusual to outsiders, it's an important cultural tradition that reflects Japan's rich history and religious practices.

 

15 March - Buzzard Day

 

"Buzzard Day" is an event that takes place in Hinckley, Ohio, USA. It's held annually on March 15th, and it's a unique celebration that marks the return of buzzards (also known as turkey vultures) to the area as a sign of spring's arrival. The town of Hinckley has been hosting this tradition for over 50 years. During the event, visitors gather to observe the buzzards' return and participate in various festivities, including live music, food vendors, and educational programs about wildlife conservation. It's a lighthearted and quirky tradition that has become a beloved part of the local culture in Hinckley.

15 March - Maine is admitted as the twenty-third U.S. state

 

Maine was admitted as the twenty-third U.S. state on March 15, 1820. This event followed the Missouri Compromise, a legislative effort to balance the number of slave and free states in the Union. As part of the compromise, Missouri was admitted as a slave state, and Maine was separated from Massachusetts to be admitted as a free state, maintaining the balance between slave and free states in the United States. The Missouri Compromise aimed to ease tensions between the North and the South regarding the expansion of slavery into new territories and states.

15 March - Youth Day Palau

 

Youth Day is a public holiday in Palau.

Youth Day is one of the most important holiday celebrations in the island nation Palau. The country celebrates the holiday every year on the 15th of March.

History of Palau’s Youth Day

The institution of Youth Day in Palau was based on the call to integrate the youth in public service early on in order to help them become better decision-makers in the future and to create a reservoir of highly-intellectual pool of educated men in the country. To formally recognize this cause, a national holiday is set aside to celebrate the role of youth in shaping Palau society and government – Palau Youth Day which is celebrated every 15th of March.

 

15 March - Assassination of Julius Caesar 44BC

 

By the time of his assassination on 15 March 44BC, Julius Caesar was at the height of his power, having recently been declared dictator perpetuo by the Roman Senate.

This kind of power made many senators nervous that Caesar would overthrow the senate and establish one-man tyranny. Thus they planned to murder him and restore the authority of the Roman Republic.

Despite being warned of the plot in the days before, Caesar went to the Senate on the 15th. There, a group of about 30 Senators - including Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius - attacked him with knives, stabbing him numerous times. Records of his last words vary; some mentioned that he said nothing, or said "You too, child?" in Greek. The most famous supposed phrase, "Et tu, Brute?" comes from William Shakespeare's 1599 play Julius Caesar and has no basis in fact.

In any case the goals of the assassination failed. It led to civil war and the eventual assumption to power of Augustus, who became the first Roman Emperor.

15 March - First ever official cricket test match was played in 1877

 

On 15 March 1877, First ever official cricket test match was played: Australia vs England at the MCG Stadium, in Melbourne, Australia.

Two rival English tours of Australia were proposed in the early months of 1877, with James Lillywhite campaigning for a professional tour and Fred Grace for an amateur one. Grace's tour fell through and it was Lillywhite's team that toured New Zealand and Australia in 1876–77. Two matches against a combined Australian XI were later classified as the first official Test matches. The first match was won by Australia, by 45 runs and the second by England. After reciprocal tours established a pattern of international cricket, The Ashes was established as a competition during the Australian tour of England in 1882. A surprise victory for Australia inspired a mock obituary of English cricket to be published in the Sporting Times the following day: the phrase "The body shall be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia" prompted the subsequent creation of the Ashes urn.

15 March - Andrew Jackson birth anniversary

 

Andrew Jackson (15 March 1767 –  08 June 1845) was the seventh President of the United States, serving from 1829 to 1837. Here are some key aspects of Andrew Jackson's life and presidency:

1. Military Career: Jackson gained national fame as a military hero during the War of 1812, particularly for his victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. He also played a significant role in the First Seminole War in Florida.

2. Indian Removal Policy: Jackson is perhaps most controversially remembered for his policy of Indian removal. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced relocation of many Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole, from their ancestral lands to territories west of the Mississippi River. The journey, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in the suffering and deaths of thousands of Native Americans.

3. Nullification Crisis: Jackson faced a significant challenge to federal authority known as the Nullification Crisis. South Carolina, led by John C. Calhoun, protested against federal tariffs and claimed the right to nullify or reject federal laws it deemed unconstitutional. Jackson firmly opposed nullification and threatened military force to enforce federal laws.

4. Bank War: Jackson was a staunch opponent of the Second Bank of the United States, viewing it as an institution that benefited the wealthy at the expense of the common people. He vetoed the rechartering of the bank, leading to its eventual demise.

5. Expansion of Presidential Power: Jackson is often associated with the expansion of executive power. He wielded the presidential veto more than any of his predecessors and asserted the primacy of the presidency in shaping policy.

6. Election of 1828: Jackson was elected President in 1828 in a campaign that portrayed him as a champion of the common man. The election marked the rise of mass political participation and the beginning of the era of Jacksonian democracy.

7. Petticoat Affair: The Petticoat Affair, or Eaton Affair, involved a scandal within Jackson's cabinet concerning the social ostracism of Secretary of War John Eaton and his wife Peggy Eaton. Jackson supported the Eatons, which contributed to tensions within his administration.

8. Legacy and Criticism: Jackson is remembered as a complex and polarizing figure. Supporters praise him as a defender of the common man and a strong leader, while critics emphasize his role in the mistreatment of Native Americans, support for slavery, and aggressive exercise of executive power.

Andrew Jackson passed away at his plantation, The Hermitage, near Nashville, Tennessee, on 08 June 1845. His presidency left a lasting impact on American politics and contributed to the shaping of the modern presidency.

 

15 March - Hitler Invaded Czechoslovakia

 

The invasion took place in stages, and one of the key events was the German occupation of the Czech regions of Bohemia and Moravia. Here are the significant dates related to Hitler's actions concerning Czechoslovakia:

1. Munich Agreement (September 30, 1938): The Munich Agreement was signed by Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and France. It allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland, a German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia, without military intervention.

2. German Occupation of Czechoslovakia (March 15, 1939): After the Munich Agreement, Hitler violated the agreement and proceeded to occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia. On March 15, 1939, German forces invaded and occupied Bohemia and Moravia, effectively dissolving Czechoslovakia.

This invasion marked a significant step toward the outbreak of World War II. The international community's failure to prevent Hitler's aggressive actions in Czechoslovakia underscored the appeasement policy that characterized the pre-war period. The invasion of Czechoslovakia was a clear violation of the Munich Agreement and contributed to the growing tensions that eventually led to the broader conflict.