March Cultural Arts 2021 Ogden Elementary School

March is National Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month recognizes all women for their valuable contributions to history and contemporary society.

In addition, Irish-American Heritage Month is also in March to honor the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.

March 8th - International Women’s Day - International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements throughout the world. Its purpose is to promote women’s equality, encourage support for repressed women and promote appreciation toward women everywhere. Many organizations, including the United Nations, use this day to also celebrate extraordinary achievements of all women regardless of their national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political stance.

commemorates Prophet (اإلسراء والمعراج :March 11th - Lailat al Miraj- Lailatul Miraj ( PBUH’s ascension to heaven. Muslims believe that on this night, an angel came to the Prophet, washed his abdomen with Zamzam (holy) water, and filled his heart with wisdom and belief. Then, Prophet Muhammad PBUH was called by SWTfrom Mecca to , where he prayed at the Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. From Jerusalem, he ascended to heaven, or as Muslims call it, , where he was honored by being allowed to see Allah SWT directly, visiting the highest levels of heaven, and leading all the past Prophets in prayer, including Joseph PBUH, Adam PBUH, Abraham PBUH, Moses PBUH, Aaron PBUH, PBUH, and John the Baptist PBUH.

March 14th- Daylight Savings Time Begins- Daylight Savings time effort to help save energy and provide workers with more hours of serviceable daylight during the long summer days. Daylight Savings Time was first introduced in the U.S. in 1918. However, it was not until 1966, when the Uniform Act was passed, that all states had to either observe DST or pass a state law to abstain.

March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day - Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration that happens annually on March 17th to mark the death date of the most commonly-recognized patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. The color green, pots of gold, shamrocks, and leprechauns are often associated with the celebration. Some people think wearing the color green will bring good luck, and others wear it to honor their Irish ancestry. Many places celebrate with parades that include Irish Dancing, Bagpipes, and many people enjoy eating corned beef and cabbage on this day. Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced to Ireland in the 5th century, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish. The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred on March 17, 1762, in New York City, featuring Irish soldiers who served in the English military. This parade became an annual event, with President Truman attending in 1948.

March 19th - St. Joseph’s Day-The feast of St Joseph commemorates Joseph, the husband of the virgin Mary and Stepfather of Jesus. Joseph married Mary and later discovered that she was pregnant. Knowing that this child was not his own but not wanting any harm to come to her, he sent her away. Joseph only brought her back when an angel came to him in a dream explaining that the child Mary carried inside of her was conceived from the Holy Spirit. It is believed that Joseph died before Jesus began his public life as an adult as there is no mention of Joseph in the bible after Jesus' childhood. The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated annually on March 19th. To celebrate St. Joseph’s Day, people will decorate an altar in their home with figs, flowers, limes, cadles, wine, fava beans, cakes, breads, cookies and or meatless dishes. Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent saw dust since Joseph was a carpenter, as well as St. Joseph’s pastries.

March 20th - First Day of Spring - Spring traditionally marks the end of winter and the beginning of a season that signifies longer days and warmer temperatures. The first day of Spring is also known as the Vernal Equinox. This marks the day that the Sun's path is directly over the equator. This day also contains equal amounts of day time and night time.

March 27th-April 4th- Passover - Passover, a Jewish holiday celebrated each spring, commemorates the Jews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt approximately 3000 years ago. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years, when God appeared to prophet Moses in a burning bush and instructed him to free his people. After the Pharaoh refused to free the Jews, ten plagues were inflicted; on the night of the tenth and final plague, the forces of destruction "passed over" the homes of the Jewish people, sparing their firstborn children - giving Passover its name. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and, with the Egyptian army chasing after them, split the waters of the Red Sea, allowing them to cross the sea on dry land and escape. Passover is celebrated over the course of seven or eight days, when all leaven (whether in bread, or other mixtures), is prohibited. On the first days of Passover, a traditional Seder is eaten and the story of deliverance is shared; throughout the entire week, unleavened bread, or matzo, is eaten to represent the Hebrews’ suffering while enslaved, and the haste in which they left Egypt.

March 28th - 29th - HOLI - The Hindu festival of Holi and the Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla which both mark the arrival of Spring. Holi is known as the festival of colors in many regions and parts of India and is a celebration of fertility, color, and love, as well as the triumph of good versus evil. People take part in Holi all around the world, but it is celebrated the most in parts of India and Nepal. It is often associated with the colored powders that end up coating its participants after they’ve thrown them at each other. Hola Mahalla is a Sikh holiday that was started by Shri Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru and is a day for Sikhs to practice martial arts, military exercises and hold mock battles. Today, Sikhs celebrate by watching and partaking in martial arts parades led by Sikh Gurdwaras. These are followed by poetry readings and music commemorating peace and equality for all.

commemorates a night that (شب برات :March 28th- Lailatul Barat- Lailatul Barat (Arabic Muslims believe Allah SWT descends from heaven and forgives sins very generously. For that reason, Muslims spend the night in prayer, and fast the next day. Lailatul Barat occurs in the middle of the month of Sha'ban, the month before Ramadan and begins at sundown. It is considered one of the holiest nights on the Islamic Calendar. Muslims are recommended to fast at least six days of this month. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad PBUH fasted more in Sha'ban than any other month.

March 28th - Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, in the Christian tradition, is the first day of and the Sunday before Easter. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's last, triumphant entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. According to the Gospels, as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds greeted him by waving and laying palm branches in his path. Today, palms are still used during Palm Sunday ceremonies. The palms are blessed during the ceremony and then collected and burned into ash for the following year's celebration. The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life.