Fact 1: March Equinox Celebrations
On March 20, the March Equinox takes place. This is a significant global event celebrated in diverse ways around the world. In Japan, the Higan festival is held, while in Iran, this signals the start of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. It's a day holding such universal significance that the UN has declared it as the International Day of Happiness.
Fact 2: International Day of Happiness
In 2013, the United Nations medically recognized March 20 as International Day of Happiness. Established by UN adviser Jayme Illien, this global celebration recognizes happiness as a fundamental human goal. Individuals, organizations and countries are encouraged to participate by promoting activities that can increase happiness and wellbeing.
Fact 3: A Day of Astronomical Significance
For the scientific community, March 20 is a day of significant astronomical phenomena. The March Equinox occurs when the sun shines directly at the equator, resulting in nearly equal day and night all over the world. This phenomenon marks the onset of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
Fact 4: A Day for Extraterrestrials
March 20 is Extraterrestrial Abductions Day. This fun and unusual holiday was created by a Toronto-based artist and broadcaster named Patrick Jano. While the origins of the actual holiday are a little unclear, it's an undeniable day for science fiction fans to revel in their enthusiasm for all things alien.
Fact 5: A Bird-Brained Holiday
March 20 is also National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in America, started in 2007 and celebrated with the bird of change, a red ribbon with feathers symbolizing a transformation.
Fact 6: A Day for Storytellers
Did you know March 20 is also World Storytelling Day? This global celebration of the art of oral storytelling sees people sharing stories and narratives in as many languages and at as many places as possible. This way, people can connect, learn and grow.
Fact 7: Earth's Axis Alignment
March 20 is the one day of the year when Earth’s axis is not tilting toward or away from the sun. Instead, it is perfectly aligned perpendicular to the sun’s rays, leading to approximately equal amounts of daylight and darkness at all latitudes.
Fact 8: Birth of Nobel Laureate Frederick Sanger
The two-times Nobel laureate Frederick Sanger, known for sequencing DNA, was born on March 20, 1918. His work has become fundamental in biochemistry.
Fact 9: French New Year
Before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Day in France used to be celebrated on March 20.
Fact 10: The Death of Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I of England, a moniker synonymous with the Elizabethan Age, died on March 20, 1603. This event marked the end of the Tudor Dynasty.
Fact 11: Harriet Beecher Stowe's Meeting with Abraham Lincoln
Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," met President Abraham Lincoln on March 20, 1862. This meeting is well-known as Lincoln referred to Stowe as the "little lady who made this big war."
Fact 12: Twitter Takes Flight
The social media giant, Twitter, was created on March 20, 2006. It has since grown to be an essential communication tool, used by millions across the globe.
Fact 13: A Day for Snowmen
In Japan, March 20 used to be known as the Snowman Burning Day. It was a tradition that represented the end of the cold and the beginning of the spring.
Fact 14: A Feast for Saint Serapion
On March 20, the Christian liturgical calendar celebrates the Feast of Saint Serapion, a martyred Christian saint from Thmius, Egypt.
Fact 15: Dr. Dre Won Grammy
On March 20, 2001, American rapper Dr. Dre won a Grammy for the producer of the year. His influence extends far beyond his music and into the business world as well.
Fact 16: A Heavenly Discovery
On March 20, 1800, French mathematician and astronomer Pierre-Simon Laplace announced the discovery of the planet Saturn's moon, Hyperion.
Fact 17: The Birth of Mister Rogers
Fred Rogers, beloved children's television host also known as Mister Rogers, was born on March 20, 1928.
Fact 18: The Birth of a Literary Giant
On this day in 1828, one of the giants of Norwegian literature, Henrik Ibsen, was born. His works like A Doll’s House, Hedda Gabler, and Peer Gynt are still performed and loved worldwide.
Fact 19: Unusual Sundial Day
March 20 is traditionally an ideal day for using an equatorial sundial. The sun rises due east and sets due west, coming closest to tracing the equatorial plane.
Fact 20: Louis Sachar's Birthday
March 20 is also the birthday of Louis Sachar, an American author best known for the "Wayside School" series and the novel "Holes," which won the 1999 Newbery Medal. Sachar's works are a staple of young adult literature and have been translated into more than 20 languages.