- For alternative meanings, see March (disambiguation).
March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days.
March begins (astrologically, non-sidereal) with the sun in the sign of Pisces and ends in the sign of Aries. Astronomically speaking, the sun begins in the constellation of Aquarius and ends in the constellation of Pisces.
March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war.
In ancient Rome, March was called Martius. It was named after the war god (Mars) and was considered a lucky time to begin a war.
In ancient Hellenic civilization, March was called Anthesterion. In old Japanese calendar, the month is called Yayoi (弥生).
March was originally the first month of the Roman calendar. Julius Caesar's calendar reform in 45 BCE began the year on January 1. The tradition of starting the year in March continued in some countries for a long time. January 1 was only instituted as New Year's Day in France in 1564. Great Britain and her colonies continued to use March 25 until 1752, the same year they finally adopted the Gregorian calendar.
Historical names for March include the Saxon term Lenctmonat, named for the equinox and eventual lengthening of days and the eventual namesake of Lent. The Saxons also called March Rhed-monat (for their goddess Rhedam ); ancient Britons called it hyld-monath (meaning loud or stormy).
Events in March
Trivia
See also
