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March

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March is the third month of the year. It has 31 days in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars.

Daffodil
Daffodil

This month marks a big change in the weather. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins during this month. This happens during the March equinox on March 20 or 21. The equinox is when the sun hits the Earth in a special way. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same time marks the start of autumn.

5 Brazilian aquamarine
5 Brazilian aquamarine

Recent data shows that March is getting warmer. In recent decades, warm temperature records have happened more often than cold ones. This change is happening across a growing part of the Earth's surface.

The way the month works with the seasons is very important. The equinox is an astronomical event that starts spring in the north. At the same time, it starts autumn in the south. In the north, this includes places like North America, Europe, Asia, and part of Africa. In the south, it affects South America, part of Africa, and Oceania. This seasonal shift changes how life moves on the planet.

03 March - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA
03 March - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA

The transition from winter to spring is a major turning point for the Earth.

March has a very long history. Its name comes from Martius, which was the first month in the earliest Roman calendar. It was named after Mars, the Roman god of war. Mars was also seen as an ancestor of the Roman people. This was because of his sons, Romulus and Remus. In those early days, Martius was the season for warfare. The Romans held many festivals to honor Mars during this time.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry mars
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry mars

Some of these celebrations were actually new year's festivals.

Different cultures have used March in many ways throughout time. In Russia, March 1 was the start of the numbered year until the late 1400s. Great Britain and its colonies used March 25 as the start of the year until 1752. Many people in Iran and Ethiopia still celebrate their New Year in March. In Finland, the name maaliskuu might mean "earthy month." This could refer to seeing the earth under the snow. In Ukraine, the name refers to the birch tree.

Bloodstone gems stone
Bloodstone gems stone

There are many special symbols linked to this month. The birth flower for March is the daffodil.

Daffodil
Daffodil

The birthstones are aquamarine and bloodstone. These two stones are symbols of courage. People born in March also fall under the zodiac signs of Pisces or Aries. Pisces lasts until about March 20. Aries begins around March 21. These symbols help people connect the month to nature and character.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry mars.jpg
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry mars.jpg
File:03 March - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA.svg
03 March - Percent of global area at...
File:Daffodil.jpg
Daffodil.jpg
File:5 Brazilian aquamarine.JPG
5 Brazilian aquamarine.JPG
File:Bloodstone gems stone.jpg
Bloodstone gems stone.jpg
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