St Patrick's Day is March 17

     Everyone is Irish on St. Patty's Day! It's hard to believe this popular holiday began centuries with a celebration in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1600, followed by the first recorded parade in 1601, according to the Smithsonian Institute.

     Irish immigrants brought their traditional celebrations of St. Patrick's day to America, and the popularity of the holiday has grown to include a day of parades, drinking, food, and fun.

     The St. Patrick's Day Parade Society (SaPaDaPaSo) will hold its 51st annual parade Tuesday, March 17, at 1 pm, rain, shine ... even blizzard in downtown Cedar Rapids. You can find the route map by going to the SaPaDaPaSo website!

International Women's Day is March 8

     March 8 isn't just the day we "spring Forward" for Daylight Saving Time, it is also International Women’s Day. This year marks the 115th anniversary of the global movement, which first began in 1911.

     The day originated from early 20th-century labor movements in North America and Europe, with the United Nations officially recognizing it in 1975.

Two primary themes are being highlighted for this year's observance:

  • United Nations Theme: "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls". This theme focuses on dismantling legal barriers, ending discrimination, and ensuring that justice systems worldwide effectively protect and empower women.
  • Global Campaign Theme: "Give to Gain". Managed by the International Women’s Day website, this campaign encourages a mindset of generosity—sharing time, knowledge, and resources—to accelerate progress toward gender equality.Welcome to the United Nations +8

Key Global Events

  • United Nations Observance: While the official day is March 8, the UN's primary commemoration will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York.
  • CSW70: The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from March 9 to 19, 2026, focusing on strengthening access to justice.
  • Regional Rallies: Major events include the Shakti Walk in New Delhi, India, and various regional commemorations organized by UN Women across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
  • Recognition Awards: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced its 2026 IWD Recognition Award winners, including Lucha Villar Galvez and Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, for their work in advancing inclusion.

March is also Women’s History Month,  a dedicated month to honor and celebrate the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history, culture, and society.

Here is the timeline of how it began:

  • 1978 (Local): It started as a "Women's History Week" in Santa Rosa, California. Local organizers picked the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women's Day.
  • 1980 (National): President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week.
  • 1987 (The Month): After being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, officially designating March as Women’s History Month.

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It's "Time" to Spring Forward

     In most of the United States, clocks "spring forward" one hour today, Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time.

     This transition marks the start of Daylight Saving Time (DST), which results in later sunrises and sunsets, providing an extra hour of daylight in the evenings.

Key Facts for 2026

  • The Change: At 2:00 a.m., clocks officially skipped ahead to 3:00 a.m., causing most people to lose one hour of sleep.
  • Duration: Daylight Saving Time will last for approximately eight months, ending on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks "fall back" to standard time.
  • Exceptions: Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe DST and do not change their clocks.Asbury Park Press +5

Why We "Spring Forward"

  • Energy Savings: The primary historical goal was to reduce the need for artificial lighting by aligning waking hours with natural daylight.
  • Economic Impact: Later daylight can boost local economies by increasing retail activity and outdoor recreation in the evenings.
  • Mnemonic: The popular phrase "spring forward, fall back" helps people remember to move clocks ahead in the spring and back in the autumn.

Common Reminders

  • Safety Check: It is a long-standing tradition to use this day as a reminder to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Health: To help your body adjust to the lost hour, experts recommend gradually shifting your bedtime 15–20 minutes earlier in the days leading up to the change.

     And hang in there when Iowa weather gets crazy - technically, Spring will be here in 13 days.