March: The Third Month Of The Year

March gets its name from the Roman god of war who was also regarded as a guardian of agriculture. The name is so appropriate because March is the perfect month for farmers to return to farming and warriors to return to warring.

March is one of the seven months that have 31 days. The other months with 31 days are January, May, July, August, October, and December. March comes after February with only 28 days. It is interesting that the shortest month comes between two long months. Remember, January had 31 days just as March has.

Easter sometimes comes in March and sometimes in April. In 2026, the Christian holy day comes on Sunday, April 5, following Palm Sunday on March 29.

March's flower is the daffodil.

March's birthdays are aquamarine and bloodstone. Both of those stones symbolize courage.

March Zodiac Signs

• Pisces from February 19 to March 20
• Aries from March 21 to April 20

What to Buy in March

March is not a big month for sales. However, there are some bargains following Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Presidents' Day.

Luggage and Cruises

Since March marks the beginning of the travel season and Spring Break, it is a good time to buy new luggage and book cruises, especially since they are both on sale in March.

Winter Sporting Gear

If you are into skiing and snowboarding, March is the beginning of the discount season for winter sports gear.

Electronics

Check Amazon for good bargains on electronics, iPads, and televisions.

Cut Cable Bill

March is a good time to cut your cable bill. March is a good time to negotiate a cheaper rate because providers want to keep your business.

Frozen Foods

March is National Frozen Food Month, and many popular frozen food brands are on sale at Amazon Fresh, Target, Walmart, and some grocery stores.

St. Patrick's Day is not a major shopping holiday, but there are some things that might be on sale at your local mall.

What Not To Buy in March

Lingerie

Wait until June and July to purchase lingerie. That's when Victoria's Secret has its popular Semi-Annual Sale. It usually has great bargains during that time, but not in March.

Spring Clothes

March isn't the best time to buy spring apparel. You can find bargains on winter apparel, but try to wait until May before you shop for spring.

Android Phones

July seems to be the best month to upgrade your cell phone. Try to hold off purchasing one in March.

Special Days in March 2026

• March 2: Dr. Seuss' Birthday
• March 8: Daylight Saving Time Starts
• March 15 (always on this date): Ides of March
• March 17 (always on this date): St. Patrick's Day
• March 17: March Madness begins

The Ides of March

The Ides of March is quoted in William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. A seer told Caesar that he would meet his death on the Ides of March, and he did.

Ides simply refers to the first full moon of any month. It usually falls in the middle of the month, often between the 13th and 15th. The Ides of March is on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

March Madness

March Madness is the time when basketball fans not only watch the games on television but also participate by creating their own brackets and betting on them. March Madness starts March 17, 2026, and officially ends on April 6.

The sporting event is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men's Basketball Tournament that is played each spring in the United States. The tournament was designed in 1939 to determine the national championship among 68 college basketball teams.

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 every year, regardless of the day of the week. Even though it is not a legal holiday in the United States, it is observed throughout the country, and a person does not have to be Irish to celebrate the Irish culture.

Celebrations are held throughout the world, especially in Ireland. People dress up in green outfits, attend parades, have parties, and decorate with shamrocks. Nationally, they drink a lot of green beer.

Chicago usually dyes the river water green. After just five hours, the water returns to its original color. Thousands of people show up early every year to see the river while it is green.

The Chicago River has been dyed green on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, every year since 1962. After a few hours, the water returns to its original color.