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If you're into cute animals, delicious food, alien abductions, and/or a lack of typos, March is the month for you. Here are 35 offbeat holidays that celebrate a wide variety of quirky passions.
1. March 1: National Pig Day
Sure they like to roll around in mud, but that's just a pig's clever way of keeping cool on a hot day. Pigs are fascinating creatures—and one of the most intelligent members of the animal kingdom. Spend the first day of the month paying tribute to oinkers around the world.
2. March 1: National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
If you love peanut butter, this is the day to proudly polish off your PB-based sandwich of choice. Reflect on all of the amazing qualities of peanut butter, from its delicious taste to its amazingly effective gum-removing capabilities. If that’s not enough, there’s even a year-round website for lovers of the legume-based spread.
3. March 1: Peace Corps Day
A volunteer army intended to combat the evils of Cold War communism with kindness, the Peace Corps took its first steps when President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order on this day in 1961. At the time he was only requesting a trial mission, but the Peace Corps has since become a worldwide humanitarian institution.
4. March 3: What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
They would rule the world is what.
5. March 3: National Anthem Day
By the dawn’s early light, we do believe the United States adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as its national anthem on this very day. Francis Scott Key wrote the famous words in his 1814 poem “Defence of Fort McHenry,” which would later be set to a popular British standard tune. Although recognized over time by various American institutions, the song did not become the official anthem until Congress passed a resolution making it so in 1931.
6. March 4: National Grammar Day
The people who care most about this holiday will also want to know that National Proofreading Day is just a few days later, on March 8.
7. March 5: Cinco de Marcho
Technically, Cinco de Marcho is a nearly two-week celebration that commences on March 5 and is followed by a rigorous, 12-day training regimen that allows observers of the holiday to prepare their livers for St. Patrick’s Day.
8. March 7: Fun Facts About Names Day
And you don't even have to go very far to celebrate. Check out some of our many posts celebrating onomastics (a fancy word for the study of the history and origin of proper names).
9. March 7: Alexander Graham Bell Day
On March 7, 1876, 29-year-old American inventor Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for a little invention called "the telephone."
10. March 8: Organize Your Home Office Day
Because for some people, the only way to ensure you keep your WFH space tidy is to turn it into an all-out celebration.
11. March 8: National Proofreading Day
Sure, it may seem scary—but the red pen is your friend. As is giving that missive you’re about to send a second (and very careful) reading. A typo might not seem like a big deal … until it costs you $80 million (or some serious embarrassment.)
12. March 9: World Panic Day
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy enthusiasts may struggle to fully embrace this holiday, but this event encourages you to indulge all of your deepest fears and let loose a rampage of unbridled hysteria. Observational practices may include (but are certainly not limited to) tearing out one’s hair, sobbing uncontrollably on the subway, running around the office in a flop sweat and screaming at the top of your lungs, or finally breaking ground on that underground bunker you’ve always dreamed of building.
13. March 10: International Bagpipe Day
There are more than 130 different kinds of bagpipes played worldwide, and this is the day to celebrate every last one of them. Be prepared!
14. March 10: Mario Day
Written in abbreviated form, this date reads Mar 10. Or, as it appeared to a Mr. Mario Fascitelli: MARIO. Fascitelli decided this quirk of the calendar was deserving of a holiday for people to celebrate the Marios in their lives.
15. March 11: Middle Name Pride Day
Time to celebrate the names of those long-lost relatives, your mom's maiden name, or whatever middle name your parents decided to give you—embarrassing or otherwise.
16. March 12: National Alfred Hitchcock Day
Nobody really knows why March 12 is Alfred Hitchcock Day: it’s neither the Master of Suspense’s birthday (that’s August 13), nor does it commemorate the date of his death (that happened on April 29, 1980). Still, it’s as good a time as any to regale your movie-loving friends and family members with your encyclopedic knowledge of Hitchcock trivia.
17. March 12: National Genealogy Day
It's been a long winter, and March just wants to make sure you didn’t forget who you are.
18. March 12: International Fanny Pack Day
From grandparents to international travelers to Normcore hipsters, the fanny pack spans generations—and so does this holiday. And, for better or worse (but definitely worse), it doesn’t seem in danger of going anywhere.
19. March 13: National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day
This day is for facing down that age-old superstition: Open an umbrella indoors and shield yourself from the bad luck that may or may not follow. (We’re hoping it’s the latter.)
20. March 14: Pi Day
Don’t let the sound of the name fool you: 3/14 does not commemorate the sweet, baked circuitous treat (but feel free to grab a slice). It is the official day of the Greek letter symbolizing the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, pi, also known as 3.14159265359 …
21. March 14: Fill Our Staplers Day
Founded by the Dull Men's Club, this holiday is intended to serve as a reminder to refill your stapler. But having an empty stapler is a good reminder to refill your stapler, too.
22. March 15: True Confessions Day
According to the calendar, March 15 is the perfect day to confess all your deepest, darkest secrets. Good luck!
23. March 16: Lips Appreciation Day
Pucker up and give your pout some well-deserved love and attention.
24. March 16: Everything You Do Is Right Day
Yes, that’s correct. We couldn’t agree more.
25. March 18: Forgive Mom and Dad Day
This is a lovely sentiment and one that works even if you don't explain to your randomly forgiven parent that your apology applies to all past ill-will, considering March 18 is also Awkward Moment Day.
26. March 18: Awkward Moment Day
You can start by wishing complete strangers a "happy awkward moment day." Or by telling your parents you forgive them (see above).
27. March 19: Play the Recorder Day
Limber up those fingers and celebrate this ubiquitous childhood instrument with a rousing rendition of "Hot Cross Buns."
28. March 20: Extraterrestrial Abductions Day
There’s no reason to believe that there will be an unusual proliferation of UFOs on this out-of-this-world holiday. At least that’s what Big Brother wants you to believe …
29. March 20: Won't You Be My Neighbor Day
Everyone's favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers, was born on March 20, 1928, and this holiday now serves as an occasion to remember the beloved TV star, and honor him by being kind, generous, and, well, downright neighborly.
30. March 22: National Goof Off Day
Relax, take a break, play hooky—or just goof off in your own quiet way at your desk. (But if you tell your boss we’re the ones who suggested it, we’ll deny it.)
31. March 23: National Puppy Day
Most of us don't really need an excuse to spend all day watching adorable young doggos playing. But on March 23, it’s your nationally mandated duty. If merely observing puppies is not enough for you, consider donating to your local animal shelter—or just take the plunge and adopt one already (and send us pictures, please)!
32. March 25: Tolkien Reading Day
This annual holiday was started by The Tolkien Society back in 2003, and gives you a great excuse to re-read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings sagas again, or for the very first time.
33. March 25: International Waffle Day
International Waffle Day is a tradition that originated in Sweden, and basically encourages the consumption of all things bready and waffled. It's hard to disagree with that.
34. March 30: Doctors' Day
This honoring of our nation's physicians, which is symbolized by a red carnation, has been held annually since 1933.
35. March 31: Eiffel Tower Day
One of the world’s most famous “towers” was dedicated to the city of Paris on March 31, 1889. Named for its designer, Gustave Eiffel, the structure was intended to commemorate the French Revolution. This Parisian landmark isn’t the only famous structure with Eiffel’s paw prints all over it; he also helped design the framework of New York’s Statue of Liberty.
A version of this story ran in 2020; it has been updated for 2022.