Tuesday, March 20, 2012

March Equinox, Extraterrestrial Abductions Day, more

March 20th, 2012, is March Equinox, Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, International Astrology Day, Extraterrestrial Abductions Day, Snowman Burning Day, National Proposal Day, Kiss Your Fiance Day, National Jump Out! Day, Won't You Be My Neighbor? Day, International Earth Day, Independence Day (Tunisia), Nowruz, Meatout, National Ravioli Day, and Macaron Day NYC. 

During the two equinoxes of the year, day and night are approximately the same length. This year the March Equinox happens at 05:14 UTC. The March Equinox is known as the Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the Autumnal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. Today is also celebrated as International Astrology Day. If you think today is your special opportunity to stand an egg on its end, read this!

Aliens. Image: FreeDigitalPhotos, Simon Howden.
Perhaps aliens are attracted by the day-and-night symmetry of the Equinox. Perhaps March 20th holds some other mystical power we can't understand. In any case, consider yourself warned that today is Extraterrestrial Abductions Day.

Today is Snowman Burning Day. Impossible, you say? Not so fast. The tradition began in Germany, where children who have been good burn straw "snowmen" to welcome the spring season.

If you can dodge the aliens and the burning snowmen, find your sweetie and pop the question! Today is National Proposal Day.

Conveniently, National Proposal Day is also Kiss Your Fiance Day. Celebrate two holidays in one!

Okay, if you're terrified you'll be abducted by aliens, attacked by burning snowmen, or trapped into marriage today, block everything out with an intense workout. Grab a jump rope and celebrate National Jump Out! Day.

Won't You Be My Neighbor? Day honors Fred Rogers, beloved by generations of children who knew him as Mr. Rogers. He was born on this date. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.


The United Nations observes Earth Day on the March Equinox. However, many countries choose to observe Earth Day on other dates.

Tunisia observes Independence Day on March 20th.

Nowruz is the Persian New Year. One related tradition is "Gereh Gushai," in which a person with a problem asks strangers to undo a knot tied in his shirt tail. The responses of the strangers are omens for the coming year, predicting whether or not the problem will be solved.

Meatout, once known as the Great American Meatout, now has a global focus. Consider avoiding salami, wings, burgers, and bacon for just one day.

Celebrate National Ravioli Day with some yummy beef ravioli smothered in marinara sauce. Go with cheese ravioli if you're participating in Meatout. If you're looking for a third option, come to St. Louis, Missouri, USA, for some hot and crispy toasted ravioli.

Macaron Day NYC  celebrates a treat some call "the new cupcake." A macaron is a French sandwich cookie.The cookies are made with almond flour, sugar, and egg. The filling is ganache. Apparently macarons are available in a rainbow of colors and flavors. They put me in the mind of spring and Easter eggs!



Click to view all blog posts!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Holiday Whiz readers are from:

Albania, Algeria, Anguilla, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus. Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia [FYROM], Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, U.S. Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia

If you're from somewhere else, please say "Hello" in the Comments!