March Facts
Where did the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in history take place?
A) Ireland B) New York C) Boston D) Florida
D) Florida
The parade was held on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony on land that is now St. Augustine, Florida. The colony’s Irish vicar, Ricardo Artur, came up with the idea.
What famous historical figure was warned to "beware the Ides of March" before his assassination?
A) Augustus B) Mark Antony C) Julius Caesar D) Nero
C) Julius Caesar
He was famously warned by a soothsayer to "beware the Ides of March" before his assassination on March 15, 44 BC. The warning, famously immortalized in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, foretold the fatal conspiracy led by Brutus and Cassius that ended his life in the Senate.
2 billion of these Easter treats are produced each year in the United States. What are they?
A) Cadbury eggs B) Chocolate bunnies C) Peeps
C) Peeps
Manufactured by Just Born Quality Confections in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, these iconic sugar-coated marshmallow chicks and bunnies are a staple of Easter baskets, with approximately 5.5 million produced daily.
True or False: “Spring Fever” is psychological and physiological symptoms associated with the arrival of spring in March.
True!
"Spring fever" refers to a combination of physiological and psychological changes—such as increased energy, restlessness, and improved mood—commonly felt in March and April due to longer days, warmer temperatures, and changing hormone levels. It is considered a real, though generally not medically dangerous, response to environmental shifts.
True or False: March used to be the first month of the year on early Roman calendars.
True.
In the original 10-month Roman calendar, the year began in March (Martius), which was named after the god Mars and marked the start of spring and the new military campaign season. January and February were added later, around 700 B.C.E., but March remained the first month until the calendar reforms of 153 B.C.E..
What is the birthstone of March?
A) Garnet B) Diamond C) Aquamarine D) Emerald
C) Aquamarine
It is a light blue to bluish-green gem symbolizing serenity, courage, and health. A secondary, traditional option is Bloodstone, a dark green stone with red, iron-oxide spots. These gems are associated with calming energy, protection, and strength.
What famous children's author was born on March 2nd, 1904?
A) Roald Dahl B) C.S. Lewis C) Dr. Seuss D) Beatrix Potter
C) Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) was born on March 2, 1904. As a renowned author and illustrator, he wrote over 60 children's books, including classics like The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. His birthday is celebrated annually as National Read Across America Day.
What popular soda was invented in March of 1886?
A) Pepsi B) Coca-Cola C) Dr. Pepper D) Sprite
B) Coca-Cola
It was created by Dr. John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia, in March 1886. Originally formulated as a coca-wine, it was modified into a non-alcoholic syrup to comply with local prohibition laws and first sold at Jacobs' Pharmacy on May 8, 1886.
True or False: The famous doll, Barbie, debuted in March 1958?
False!
Barbie officially debuted on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York. Created by Ruth Handler for Mattel, this date is celebrated as the doll's official birthday.
True or False: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in vasectomies being performed during March Madness.
True!
With urologists reporting a 10% to 50% surge in procedures during the NCAA tournament. Many men schedule the surgery for Thursday or Friday to utilize the weekend for recovery, combining required downtime with watching basketball.
What Roman god of war is March named after?
A) Jupiter B) Mars C) Mercury D) Nero
B) Mars
As the protector of Rome and father of its founders, Romulus and Remus, he was honored during this month, which historically marked the beginning of both the agricultural season and the military campaign season.
One of the world’s great artists was born on March 30, 1853. According to legend, he sold only one painting before he died in 1890. That’s not true, though: He sold at least a few paintings and drawings, and often traded his works for food or art supplies. Who was he?
A) Pablo Picasso B) Andy Warhol C) Vincent Van Gogh D) Salvador Dali
C) Vincent Van Gogh
It is true, however, that he died broke and one-eared.
Warm, moist air with more moving wind currents makes this more likely to happen in the spring.
A) Monsoons B) Thunderstorms and Tornadoes C) Lightning Storms D) Hurricanes
B) Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
The clash between winter’s lingering cold air and spring’s warm, humid air creates intense atmospheric instability, leading to rapid storm development, heavy rain, and high wind gusts.
True or False: March and June always finish on the same day of the week.
True!
In both common and leap years, the last day of March and the last day of June always fall on the same day of the week. This occurs because there are exactly 91 days (13 weeks) between March 31 and June 30, meaning the day of the week remains the same.
True or False: Saint Patrick was Irish.
False.
Saint Patrick was not Irish by birth; he was born in Roman Britain (likely Scotland, Wales, or England) in the late 4th century to a Romanized family. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders at age 16 and held as a slave in Ireland for six years before escaping, later returning as a missionary.
What is the official birth flower of March?
A) Daffodil B) Rose C) Pansy D) Tulip
A) Daffodil
It symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, joy, and unparalleled cheerfulness. As a sign of spring, these bright yellow or white flowers are often associated with good fortune and, due to their early bloom, are sometimes linked to the Welsh tradition of St. David's Day.
In March of 1983, what Michael Jackson song was broadcast on MTV for the first time?
A) Bad B) Billie Jean C) Thriller D) Beat It
B) Billie Jean
The music video for "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson was first broadcast and entered heavy rotation on MTV in March 1983. It premiered on March 10, 1983, breaking racial barriers on the network as one of the first videos by a Black artist to receive regular, heavy airplay.
Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call on March 10, 1876. What did he say?
A) “I give you the marvel of talking with electricity.” B) “Mr. Hammond, the phones are working.” C) “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.” D) “Can you hear me now?”
C) " Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you."
Bell did describe using a telephone as “speaking with electricity,” but humanity’s first phone call was perfectly pedestrian. Bell used it to summon Mr. Watson, his assistant.
True or False: Easter can fall in March.
True!
In the Western Christian (Gregorian) tradition, Easter can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. It is a "moveable feast" determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox (March 21). For example, Easter fell on March 31 in 2024, and will again in 2029.
True or False: March is the only month in the English language with three consecutive consonants.
True!
March is widely recognized as the only month in the English language that contains three consecutive consonants (M-A-R-C-H – rch).
What are the two zodiac signs for March?
A) Pisces and Aries B) Aries and Taurus C) Aquarius and Pisces D) Capricorn and Pisces
A) Pisces and Aries
Pisces (until March 20) and Aries (from March 21 onwards). Pisces is a water sign known for being empathetic and intuitive, while Aries is a fire sign known for being courageous and energetic.
What famous physicist who developed the general theory of relativity also shares a birthday with Pi Day on March 14th?
A) Isaac Newton B) Marie Curie C) Albert Einstein D) Stephen Hawking
C) Albert Einstein
The German-born theoretical physicist who developed the general theory of relativity, was born on March 14, making his birthday coincide with Pi Day (3.14). Einstein revolutionized modern physics with his work on gravity, space, and time, including the mass–energy equivalence formula E=mc2
On March 1st, 1872, what location in America became the world's first national park?
A) Yosemite National Park B) Zion National Park C) Grand Canyon National Park D) Redwood National Park
A) Yosemite National Park
President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law, establishing Yellowstone National Park as the world's first national park. Situated primarily in Wyoming but extending into Montana and Idaho, the act protected over 2 million acres of wilderness.
True or False: St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland.
False!
Research suggests snakes never occupied the Emerald Isle in the first place.
True or False: March’s full Moon is called the Worm Moon.
True!
March's full moon is commonly known as the Worm Moon. The name, which marks the last full moon of winter, originates from the time of year when the ground softens and earthworms (or according to some traditions, beetle larvae) begin to emerge.