Important Dates and Events in March

The month of March is all about equal and fair rights for everyone. From international women’s day to consumer rights day, all these events are celebrated in March. There are many more such events that are important for competitive exams like UPSC, RRB, and SSC.

We have put together all the important dates and events in March in this article. The list consists of global and national events which are important from an exam’s point of view.

Important Events in March

Here’s the list of all Global and National Events in March:

Global Events in March

1. Zero Discrimination Day – 1st March

UN and other international organizations celebrate this day every day. The main aim is to promote equality before the law. The peace and inclusion of all communities is their main idea. They believe that discrimination is stopping the growth and development in the world.

It was first celebrated in 2014. The chief of The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) inaugurated this day. The theme for 2020 was “Zero Discrimination Against Women and Girls”.

2. World Civil Defense Day – 1st March

International Civil Protection Organization (ICDO) introduced the World Civil Defense Day in 1990. In 1972, ICDO officially became an intergovernmental organization on 1st March. The celebration takes place to mark its anniversary.

They aim to aware people of self precaution and prevention at the time of disaster and accidents. The theme for 2020 was “Protection of children, our responsibility”.

3. No Smoking Day – 2nd Wednesday of March

This day is to help people quit smoking. The idea is to highlight the harmful effects of tobacco. This campaign began in 1984. The first celebration took place on Ash day. Now it falls on the 2nd Wednesday of March every year.

The organizer of this campaign is the British Heart Foundation. The theme for 2020 was “Protection of youth from tobacco and nicotine use”.

4. World Kidney Day – 2nd Thursday of March

It is a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of the kidney for our overall health. It is an initiative by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations.

They aim to aware people of risks, prevention, and solution related to kidneys. In 2006, the first celebration took place with only 66 countries. The theme for 2020 was “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere”.

5. World Wildlife Day – 3rd March

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora became official on 3rd March 1973. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3rd March as the World Wildlife Day.

It is to raise awareness about flora and fauna. They also discourage the overexploitation of natural resources. The idea to introduce this day was of Thailand. The theme for 2020 was “Sustaining all life on Earth”.

6. World Hearing Day – 3rd March

It is an initiative by the World Health Organisation. Its first campaign took place in 2007. The main aim is to highlight the measures to prevent hearing loss. Till 2016, it was called International Ear Care Day.

Every year WHO selects a theme that is relevant to the current times. The theme for 2020 was “Hearing for Life. Don’t let hearing loss limit you”.

7. World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation – 4th March

It became official in 2009. Organizations like UNICEF and International Labour Organisations are the main supporters of this day. The main aim is to create awareness against the sexual exploitation of children, women, and young boys.

8. International Women’s Day – 8th March

It celebrates achievements made by women in different sectors. It is all about unity, equality, and celebration. No one organization is responsible for International Women’s Day. It was first honored in 1911 in Denmark, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

But the first celebration took place in 1975 where the UN made it official. Every year’s theme is meant to empower women all around the world. The theme for 2020 was “#EachforEqual”.

9. International Day of Action of Rivers – 14th March

A Meeting of People Affected by Dams took place in 1997 in Brazil. It was their first international meeting. They suggested the idea of introducing this day. The main idea is to promote the importance of rivers across the world.

This date also coincides with Brazil’s Day of Action against Large Dams. It was previously called the International Day against Dams, for Rivers, Water, and Life. The theme for 2020 was “Women, Water, and Climate Change”.

10. International Mathematics Day – 14th March

It is also known as Pi Day. This particular date is chosen by UNESCO as pi = 3.14 ( 03/14 ). Larry Shaw was a physicist who first celebrated Pi Day in 1988. In 2009, the US House of Representatives recognized this day as National Pi Day.

UNESCO decided Pi day as the International Mathematics Day in 2019.

11. World Consumer Rights Day – 15th March

John F. Kennedy spoke about the importance of consumer rights in his speech on 15th March 1962. A consumer activist Anwar Fazal proposed the idea of this Day in 1983. And since then, 15th March became the World Consumer Rights Day inspired by Kennedy’s speech.

The main idea is to promote the basic rights of an individual as consumers. The theme for 2020 was “The Sustainable Consumer”.

12. International Day of Happiness – 20th March

The United Nations General Assembly made this day official in July 2012. The first celebration took place on 20th March 2013. The idea is to highlight the importance of happiness for a healthy life.

The idea to introduce this day was of Bhutan. The theme for 2020 was “HAPPINESS FOR ALL, TOGETHER”.

13. World Sparrow Day – 20th March

This day is to raise awareness about sparrows and their declining number. Nature forever society took the initiative to introduce this day in 2010. It also brings together people who are working to conserve this species. They also aim to promote the beauty and diversity of nature.

14. World Down Syndrome Day – 21st March

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes the division of chromosome 21. This leads to changes in physical features. It was first celebrated in 2012. The general assembly made it official in 2011.

The idea is to highlight the uniqueness of the 21st chromosome which causes down syndrome. The triplication of this chromosome is very unique. 21 march signifies 21st chromosome and march ( 3rd Month ) signifies trisomy.

15. International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination – 21st March

On 21st March 1960, the police in South Africa opened fire killing 69 people who were peacefully protesting against apartheid law. This law gave supremacy to white people over black.

The United Nations General Assembly made this day official in 1966. The main aim is to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination across the globe. The theme for 2020 was “Recognition, justice, and development.

16. World Forestry Day – 21st March

The United Nations General assembly introduced this day in 2012. The idea is to highlight the importance of types of forests and trees in general. To promote the conservation of trees and plant more trees, the government hosts campaigns every year. The theme for 2020 was “Forest and Biodiversity”.

17. Poetry Day – 21st March

UNESCO proclaimed 22nd March as the World Poetry Day in 1999. The main idea is to linguistic diversity through poetry. Through this, they want to promote endangered languages as well. This occasion is to celebrate poets and their work.

18. World Water Day – 22nd March

In 1992, The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development took place. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 22nd March as World Water Day in 1992. The first celebration took place in 1993.

The main idea is to highlight the importance of freshwater. They also focus on the global water crisis and solutions to overcome them. The theme for 2020 was “Water and Climate Change”.

19. World Metrological Day – 23rd March

World Meteorological Organisation was set up on 23rd March 1950. This day marks the anniversary of its establishment. This day celebrates the contribution of this department to the society.

This department mainly focuses on climate change, tropical weather, and water-related issues. The theme for 2020 was “ Climate and Water: Every Drop Counts”.

20. World Tuberculosis Day – 24th March

Dr. Robert Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis on 24th March 1882. It is the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. This day commemorates his contribution to medical and science.

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease suggested introducing World TB Day. It was first celebrated in 1992. The main idea is to aware people of this disease and put an end to prejudice around this. The theme for 2020 was “It’s Time to End Tuberculosis”

21. World Theatre Day – 27th March

The International Theatre Institue started this day on 27th March 1962. They aim to promote theatre as an art form across the world. Many national and international theatre organizations celebrate this day every year.

National Events in March

1. National Safety Day – 4th March

It is an initiation by the National Safety Council. They promote safety measures to prevent accidents due to a lack of awareness. The national safety council came into being on 4th March 1972.

This day celebrates the contribution of this council to the country. The theme for 2020 was “Enhance Health & Safety Performance by Use of Advanced Technology“.

2. Central Industrial Security Force Raising Day – 10th March

This day comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs. CISF Raising Day is an initiative to raise awareness about their contribution to the safety of the country. The CISF was set up on 10th March 1969.

This day events are held to honor personnel for their excellent performance. It also marks the anniversary of CISF’s foundation.

3. National Vaccination Day – 16th March

It is also called National Immunisation Day. The first oral polio vaccination took place on 16th March 1995 in India. This day marks the anniversary of this achievement by the country.

The main idea is to eradicate polio from the nation. Every year government tries to reach millions of children and get them vaccinated on this day.

4. Ordnance Factory Day – 18th March

The oldest Ordnance Factory in Kolkata started its production on 18th March 1802. Its the 37th largest defense equipment manufacturer in the world. It was founded in 1775 but started production later. This day celebrates the defense sector of the country and its achievements.

5. Bihar Day – 22nd March

Bihar was once part of the state of Bengal. On 22 March 1912, the British government carved out apart from Bengal and called it Bihar. This day marks the formation of the Bihar state. This day’s celebration takes place every year in Bihar. The government has declared a public holiday on this date.

Conclusion

That’s it. These are some of the important dates and events in March that every student should read about if preparing for competitive exams like IAS, UPSC etc.

All the important facts around particular events are there in the list above that are common in General Knowledge. This will cover you up for questions about dates and events in March.