Overview

March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, positioned between February and April. It contains 31 days. In many temperate climates March is associated with the gradual return of warmer weather and longer daylight following winter. The month's name derives from Mars, the Roman god of war, reflecting its origin in ancient Roman practice.

Calendar characteristics

March has a few regular relationships with other months in terms of weekdays. It always begins on the same weekday as November, and in common years it also shares a starting weekday with February. The last day of March falls on the same weekday as the last day of June. These patterns are useful when planning recurring events or understanding how calendars shift between years.

History and name

In the Roman calendar March (Martius) originally marked the beginning of the civil year and the season for military campaigning; later reforms moved the year start to January but the name remained. The month kept its association with Mars partly because spring was traditionally the time when armies resumed operations. Changes introduced by the Julian calendar and later the Gregorian calendar standardized March's length and placement.

Seasonal and astronomical notes

In the Northern Hemisphere, March commonly includes the vernal (spring) equinox, usually on March 20 or 21, when day and night are approximately equal. In the Southern Hemisphere March corresponds to the start of autumn. The equinox has been an important marker for agriculture, religious festivals, and ancient observatories.

Observances and cultural importance

March contains a mix of fixed and movable observances observed worldwide and locally. Examples include:

  • International Women's Day (March 8)
  • St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
  • The Ides of March (March 15), noted in Roman history
  • Movable dates such as Easter sometimes occur in March depending on the lunar cycle

Notable facts

March is often linked with renewal, planting, and cultural rituals tied to the changing season. Its historical role as a year starter in early Roman tradition explains why several modern quarter-based and fiscal calendars still treat March and its surrounding months as seasonally significant. For everyday planning, its weekday alignment with other months can simplify long-range scheduling.

For further reference about the month and how it appears in calendars and cultural lists, consult general calendar resources and historical summaries on ancient Roman timekeeping and modern calendar reform.