World Consumer Rights Day

World Consumer Rights Day, observed on March 15, is an annual event dedicated to reminding us of the importance of consumer rights in our global marketplace. This day emphasizes the need for transparency regarding the quantity, quality, and price of goods, as well as the significance of safeguarding consumer rights. World Consumer Rights Day serves as a platform to educate and empower consumers about their rights and responsibilities, while also advocating for fair and ethical business practices worldwide.

The origins of World Consumer Rights Day can be traced back to March 15, 1962, when former US President John F. Kennedy addressed consumer rights issues in a historic speech to the US Congress. This marked the first time a world leader had formally acknowledged the importance of consumer rights on a global stage. Since its official inception on March 15, 1983, World Consumer Rights Day has been recognized and endorsed by the United Nations, garnering international attention to the cause of consumer protection. 

Youth Day in Palau

Palau, an archipelago of over 500 islands nestled in the western Pacific Ocean, is a vibrant island nation that embraces its cultural heritage and values its younger generation. Among the various celebrations that adorn this nation’s calendar, one standout holiday is Youth Day—a holiday that pays homage to the nation’s youth and their important role in shaping the nation’s future.

It is a time when the nation comes together to celebrate the aspirations, skills, energy, and most importantly, the potential of its young citizens. It’s a public holiday that occurs annually on March 15 and is celebrated with parades, marches, youth conferences, and other activities.

Constitution Day in Belarus

 

Constitution Day of the Republic of Belarus is observed every year on 15 March. The Constitution is the Basic Law of the state, which underlies the entire legislation system.

The Constitution is the Fundamental Law of the State. The modern Constitution of the Republic of Belarus was adopted on 15 March 1994. It was amended during the national referendums of 24 November 1996, 17 October 2004 and 27 February 2022. This is the fifth Constitution in the history of Belarus (after the October Revolution of 1917).

The Belarus Constitution centres around 3 key elements:

• the regulation of rights and freedoms
• the establishment of a new state mechanism
• the reworking of new laws and a new justice system

The new Constitution of Belarus came into force on 15 March 2022. It was amended as a result of the national referendum that took place on 27 February 2022. One new chapter and 11 new articles were introduced into the country’s fundamental law, 83 articles were amended and supplemented. The biggest changes were made to the articles related to the system of government, namely the status, formation and powers of the Belarusian People’s Congress that became the supreme representative body of people’s power.

Julius Caesar Assassination in 44BC

 

By the time of his assassination on 15 March (the Ides of March) 44BC, Julius Caesar was at the height of his power, having recently been declared dictator perpetuo by the Roman Senate.

This kind of power made many senators nervous that Caesar would overthrow the senate and establish one-man tyranny. Thus they planned to murder him and restore the authority of the Roman Republic.

Despite being warned of the plot in the days before, Caesar went to the Senate on the 15th. There, a group of about 30 Senators - including Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius - attacked him with knives, stabbing him numerous times. Records of his last words vary; some mentioned that he said nothing, or said "You too, child?" in Greek. The most famous supposed phrase, "Et tu, Brute?" comes from William Shakespeare’s 1599 play Julius Caesar and has no basis in fact.

In any case the goals of the assassination failed. It led to civil war and the eventual assumption to power of Augustus, who became the first Roman Emperor.

Buzzard Day - USA

National Buzzard Day in the United States of America, observed on March 15, is the day when turkey vultures, or buzzards instinctively flock and return to Hinckley, a township in Medina County, Ohio each year.

In 1957, Walter Nawalaniec, a Cleveland Metroparks ranger, told Cleveland Press reporter Robert Bordner that he had seen buzzards return to Hinckley on March 15 for the past six years. He also told Bordner that his predecessor, Charles Willard, had kept a log of them returning on the date for 23 years prior to that. On February 15, Bordner had published a story that predicted the buzzards would return in exactly one month.

Saint Nicholas Birth Anniversary

 

Saint Nicholas or Nikolaos of Myra, born on 15 March 270, was a Christian Saint and Greek Bishop of Myra, who lived till the age of 73.

His reputation for secret gift-giving (such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him) made him the model for Santa Claus.

Nicholas was an early Christian bishop in the city of Myra in Asia Minor under the Roman Empire. A number of miracles are traditionally attributed to him and he is this patron saint of sailors, merchants, prostitutes and children.

Little details are known of his life but he is thought to have attended the First Council of Nicaea in 325.

World Sleep Day (Friday before March equinox)

World Sleep Day (the Friday before the northern hemisphere (vernal equinox) is an annual event organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society, formerly World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM), since 2008. The goal is to celebrate the benefits of good and healthy sleep and to draw society's attention to the burden of sleep problems and their medical, educational, and social aspects, and to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders.

This year, World Sleep Day falls on March 15 and focuses on ‘Sleep Equity for Global Health’. This theme highlights how important sleep is for overall health and brings attention to differences in sleep health among different groups of people.