Overview
March 1 is the 60th day of the year in common years and the 61st in leap years. In a non-leap year there are 305 days left until December 31. The date sits early in the month of March and often carries seasonal and cultural meanings in many parts of the world.
Calendar significance
As a date in the Gregorian calendar, March 1's numbering relative to the start of the year changes only in leap years; see leap years for the mechanism that adds February 29. In meteorological practice, March 1 commonly marks the beginning of meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of meteorological autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
Observances and holidays
- Saint David's Day — a cultural and religious day observed in Wales every March 1.
- Zero Discrimination Day — promoted by international organizations to call for equal rights and an end to stigma.
- Various national, regional and cultural commemorations take place on March 1; these vary by country and community and include remembrance, independence, and cultural festivals.
History and notable events
Over time March 1 has been the date of many historical actions, proclamations and institutional foundations. One widely cited event is the establishment of Yellowstone National Park by the U.S. Congress in the 19th century, a landmark in conservation history. The day has also served as the setting for referenda, declarations and artistic premieres in different eras.
Cultural and seasonal notes
Astrologically, people born on March 1 fall under the sign of Pisces. Traditional birthstones for March include aquamarine and bloodstone. Because the date is close to the spring equinox, it often appears in calendars as a seasonal turning point for agriculture, education terms and public events in temperate regions.
Distinctions and trivia
March 1 is often referenced in legal, historical and statistical records simply as the first day of March and as a marker used in counting days of the year. Its place in civil calendars, seasonal systems and cultural observances makes it a recurring reference point across many disciplines.