An interactive cultural timeline

Women's History month

Women are half of heaven.

Women's History month

Helen Keller. Photo Cherry Crimson (CC BY-NC-SA).
Women's suffrage. Photo Leo Reynolds (CC BY-NC-SA).

March has been declared Women’s History Month, to attracts attention to the often neglected role played by women in history. Biographies of admirable female personalities can serve as inspiring models for life and thought.
1st Mar. : National Pig Day (USA)

This is the occasion to express love and respect for one of the oldest companions of Man.

1st Mar. : National Pig Day (USA)

Photo Scott Bauer - USDA (Public Domain).

Pigs are clever and intelligent animals. But most people are unaware of this and think negatively about this noble creature they only think of as tasty food with dirty manners. Ellen Stanley, a Texas art teacher created National Pig Day in 1972. Her intent was to recognize and express thankfulness for this worthy but badly regarded creature. Pigs can be taught tricks, but as they are very independant free spirits, they will not always accept to make fools out of themselves. Circus artists will tell you that a pig show is extremely tricky to set up.

National Pig Day is celebrated by people who know and love pigs. Often they keep cute potbellied porks as pets in their homes. In some zoos special pig activities are organized for visitors. You can join Pig Chats on the InterNet (whatever that might be).
1st Mar. : Dewi Sant St David's Day

The national Day of Wales.

1st Mar. : Dewi Sant St David's Day

Y Ddraig goch the Welsh red dragon in Saint David's Parade Caerdydd Cardiff. Photo Thierry N J Heles (CC BY-NC-ND).

Celebrated in Wales, one of the four nations of the British Isles, in honour of Dewi Sant or St David, the patron saint of Wales. Welsh people wear a daffodil on their caps, a yellow spring flower which is a national emblem of Wales, alongside with y ddraig goch the red dragon. It is also an occasion of affirming Welsh national pride in public.
3rd Mar. : Hina Matsuri - Girls Day or Peach Blossom Day

This ancient Japanese festival will be celebrated also in places abroad where Japanese people live.

3rd Mar. : Hina Matsuri - Girls Day or Peach Blossom Day

Photos Tsuyoshi Adachi (CC BY-NC-SA).

Girls will be honoured nd made to feel happy of being girls. Young girls decorate their homes with fresh peach blossoms that symbolize long life, seriousnesse, tranquility and kindness. Peach blossoms are also believed to ensure a happy marriage.

Special Hina dolls wearing rich clothes and representing an ancient Emperor’s court are offered to girls who display them on shelves in their homes. The dolls are said to absorb bad luck, then they will be taken to a river and let into the water to be carried away.
8th Mar. : Holi Spring Festival (Northern India)

Wild street parties with music singing dancing and people forgetting caste differences for a day to cover everyone with coloured powder.

8th Mar. : Holi Spring Festival (Northern India)

Holi festival 2012. Photo Kamalakanta 777 (CC BY-SA).

Holi Spring Festival takes place on the last full moon day of lunar month Phalguna (February/March) : last one was on 8th March 2012. Northern India’s spring-welcoming festival is called Holi.

Bonfires are lit at night to drive out evil spirits. It ends up with street parties where people come wearing old clothes. They sing, dance and throw water and chuck coloured powder over the head of just everyone they meet. To add to the excitement and the fun people will drink bhang, a traditional beverage made of cannabis.
17th Mar. : St. Patrick's Day

Kiss me, I am Irish !

17th Mar. : St. Patrick's Day

Have a heart. Photo Today is a good day (CC BY-NC-ND).
Be my Valentine. Photo Pringle Hill (CC BY-NC-ND).

The festival of the Irish patron saint Patrick is the occasion of expressing Irish cluture, singing songs, telling Irish jokes, wearing green and loving everything Irish. In New York and in other cities where descendants of immigrants from Ireland are numerous, there are great street parades.
3 weeks before easter : Mothering Sunday

I love you Mum !

3 weeks before easter : Mothering Sunday

Happy mother's day. Photo Deepa (CC BY-NC-SA).
Mother's Day Sunflower. Photo Judy Baxter (CC BY-NC-SA).

A time for people living in the UK to think about their mothers. People will give flowers or sweets or chocolate and organise a special day out for their mothers on this day, many send a special Mother's Day card.