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MONTH OF MARCH: HERE IS SOME FUN INFORMATION ON TWO VERY WELL KNOWN DATES ON THE MARCH CALENDAR:
THE IDES OF MARCH
The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martias) is the name of March 15 in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October.
Did you know that the Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the God Mars and a military parade was usually held.
In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 709 AUC or 44 B.C. In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Caesar is warned to "beware the Ides of March". (Painting by: Vincenzo Camuccini, Mort de César, 1798)
Etymology:
The term idūs (ides) originally referred to the day of the full moon. The Romans considered this an auspicious day in their calendar. The word ides comes from Latin, meaning "half division" (of a month).
Observances:
The Ides of March is celebrated every year by the Rome Hash House Harriers with a toga run in the streets of Rome, in the same place where Julius Caesar was killed.
The Atlanta Chapter of the Dagorhir Battle Games Association hosts an annual spring event at Red Horse Stables on the weekend closest to the 15th of March. The event is appropriately named "The Ides of March".
The Temple Hill Association in New Windsor, NY holds an annual dinner in honor of the Ides of March because it is also the day that General George Washington quelled a mutiny of his Officers in 1783.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY - 17TH MARCH
Saint Patrick's day is in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland, who brought christianity in the 400's AD to the Emerald Isles, as Ireland is known. It is truly a day of celebrating Irish history, ancestry, traditions and customs.
Are you Irish perchance!?! Well, the saying goes everyone is a little Irish on Saint Patricks's Day. Erin Go Braugh is perhaps the most common Irish term you will hear. It means "Ireland Forever"
Did You Know? Over 34 million Americans are of Irish descent. That's almost nine times the populaton of Ireland!
Here are some favorite Irish sayings:
* May the road rise up to meet you.
* May the wind be always at your back.
* May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
* May the rain fall softly upon your fields. And the sun shine warm upon your face.
* Top of the mornin' to you.....(and the rest of the day to 'me self!)
* May there always be work for you to do.
* May your purse always hold a coin or two.
* May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
* May the hand of a friend always be near you.
* May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
And then there's this favorite.....
May the wind at your back not be from the cabbage and corned beef that you eat today!

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