Category: March 21

  • INTERNATIONAL COLOUR DAY – March 21

    INTERNATIONAL COLOUR DAY

    Every year on March 21st, International Colour Day celebrates all aspects of colour and the impact it has on our lives. The day also encourages people to think about how colour makes our world a better place.

    Colour has played an integral role in our world from practically the beginning of time. For centuries, people have experimented with different pigments for writing, drawing, and expressing themselves. One of the oldest known pigments is red ochre. This pigment was found in a prehistoric cave painting. Iron-rich soil helped to create the pigment. As far back as 40,000 years ago, artists used animal fat, burnt charcoal, and chalk to create different pigments of color. Along with red, other pigments that were created during this time were brown, yellow, black, and white.

    Since that time, people have been able to create millions of different colors. According to some scientists, humans are capable of seeing 10 million different colours. Some people believe there are far more colours than that, however. This is because of the different shades of light that affect colour. One colour expert believes there are actually 18 decillion colours. If you are not sure how many that is, it is the number 18 followed by 33 zeroes. That is a lot of colours for our viewing enjoyment!

    Colours & Emotion

    Not only are colours beautiful to look at, but certain colours evoke different emotions.

    • Red: excitement, love, and energy
    • Orange: confidence, bravery, and success
    • Yellow: creativity, happiness, and warmth
    • Green: healing, freshness, and tranquility
    • Blue: trust, peace, and loyalty
    • Pink: compassion, sincerity, and sweetness
    • Purple: royalty, ambitious, and luxurious
    • Brown: trustworthy, dependable, and simple
    • Black: formal, dramatic, and sophisticated
    • White: clean, innocent, and honest

    Are any of these colours your favorite? What are some emotions that you associate with certain colours?

    HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalColourDay

    On this day, a variety of events are held throughout the world. Some of these events include art exhibitions, design contests, and workshops on the use of colour and light.

    To participate:

    • Make a colour wheel with your children. Teach them about the primary colours and complementary colours.
    • Have a contest with your friends to see who can come up with the most colors.
    • Visit an art museum and pay close attention to the different colours in the paintings.
    • Make a tie dye shirt or knit a scarf using all your favorite colors.

    Post an image with your favorite color on social media using #InternationalColourDay.

    INTERNATIONAL COLOUR DAY HISTORY

    The Portuguese Color Association proposed an International Colour Day in 2008. In 2009, the International Colour Association agreed to the proposal. They decided on the date March 21st because it is the equinox. During the equinox, night and day are almost equally long. This is symbolic of the association of light and darkness, which is expressed in all human cultures.

     

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    Michele

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  • WORLD PUPPETRY DAY – March 21

    WORLD PUPPETRY DAY

    Every year on March 21st, World Puppetry Day seeks to recognize puppetry as a global art form. It’s also a day to honor puppeteers around the world.

    You are probably familiar with puppets. If you’re like most people, you have probably seen a puppeteer in action. You may have even played with a puppet yourself. You may be surprised to discover, however, just how old the art of puppetry is. Puppets date all the way back to the 5th century BCE. China, India, and other places in Asia even had puppet theaters. Native Americans also used puppet-like figures in certain rituals.

    In 1929, the Union Internationale de la Marionnette – International Puppetry Association (UNIMA) was created in Prague. In the United States, puppeteers kept their art a secret. It wasn’t until the first half of the 20th century that puppeteers began sharing more information about their work. They also began holding public puppet shows. This was largely thanks to Tony Sarg, a famous puppeteer at that time. When puppets became public, it led to the founding of the Puppeteers of American in 1937. In 1966, Jim Henson founded UNIMA-USA. UNIMA Australia, UMIMA Pakistan, British UNIMA, and UNIMA-France followed suit.

    Today, puppets are everywhere. Not just in the United States, but around the world. Puppets can be seen on stage, on television, and in the movies.
    Some of the most famous puppets include:

    • Pinocchio
    • Punch and Judy
    • Howdy Doody
    • Lamb Chop
    • Kermit the Frog
    • Elmo
    • Daniel Striped Tiger

    Can you think of a famous puppet that you grew up watching on television or saw in the movies?

    HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldPuppetryDay

    The most popular events on this day are, of course, puppet shows!

    To participate:

    • Help your children make their own puppets.
    • Gather your toy puppets together and put on a puppet show of your own.
    • Learn about famous puppeteers like Fred Rogers, Jim Henson, Bil Baird, Shari Lewis, and Frank Oz.
    • Watch TV shows and movies featuring puppets including The Muppets, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, and Alf.

    Don’t forget to share your favorite puppet on social media with #WorldPuppetryDay.

    WORLD PUPPETRY DAY HISTORY

    Puppet theater artist, Javad Zolfaghari from Iran, came up with the idea for World Puppetry Day. He proposed a discussion for the day in the year 2000 during the UNIMA World Congress. In 2002 UNIMA declared March 21st as World Puppetry Day. The first official World Puppetry Day was held on March 21st, 2003.

     

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    Michele

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  • INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS – March 21

    INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS

    Each year on March 21st, the International Day of Forests celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

    Forests cover one-third of the Earth’s landmass. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood, medicines, fuel, food, and shelter. Forests are also home to more than 80 percent of land animals, insects, and plants. There are 3 trillion trees in all the forests on Earth. Forests are defined as a large group of trees. In order to be considered an actual forest, trees have to cover at least 0.5 hectares.

    The three primary types of forests include:

    • Tropical: temperatures range from 68 to 77 degrees F. and receives 100 inches of rain a year
    • Temperate: broken down into two subcategories including temperate deciduous and temperate coniferous
      • Found in China, Japan, and the Eastern United States and Canada, temperate deciduous forests receive between 30 to 60 inches of rain a year.
      • Look for temperate coniferous forests in New Zealand, South America, and Pacific Northwestern United States and Canada. They receive between 50 and 200 inches of rain a year.
    • Boreal: Also known as Taiga forests, they grow in cold climates, such as Siberia, Canada, and Scandinavia. They receive between 15 and 40 inches of precipitation a year.

    All forests contribute to the Earth’s ability to maintain its climate. Forests also help prevent soil erosion and act as water filters. Besides providing food and raw materials, forests promotes ecotourism and help make our planet look more beautiful.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalDayOfForests

    Countries are encouraged to organize activities, such as tree-planting campaigns. Other events held on this day include art exhibitions, photo competitions, student debates, and symposiums.

    To participate:

    • Think about the crucial role our earth’s forests play in climate change.
    • Teach your kids how to identify different trees or teach them about animals that live in the forest.
    • Visit a public forest or nearby National Park.
    • Watch a documentary about forest preservation, like If a Tree Falls, The Burning Season, or The Forgotten District.
    • Take part in a tree-planting event.

    Spread awareness for this day on social media with #InternationalDayOfForests

    INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS HISTORY

    In November 1971, during the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization, member states voted to establish World Forestry Day to be held on March 21st of each year. From 2007 to 2012, the Center for International Forestry Research convened a series of six Forest Days. These days were held in conjunction with annual meetings on climate change. On November 28, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Forests. The first event was held on March 21st, 2013.

    Recent themes have included:

    2020: Forests and Biodiversity
    2019: Forests and Education
    2018: Forests and Sustainable Cities
    2017: Forests and Energy
    2016: Forests and Water: Sustain Life and Livelihoods

     

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    Michele

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  • INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NOWRUZ – March 21

    INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NOWRUZ

    Spring cleaning has an entirely different meaning when celebrating the International Day of Nowruz. This global holiday is the annual start to a new year in many parts of the world.

    Nowruz (pronounced “no-rooz”) translates as “new day” and represents the first day of spring. The celebration falls on the vernal equinox which also aligns with the first day of the Iranian calendar.

    The event is filled with ancestral rituals, communal ceremonies and topped off with a special meal shared with neighbors and loved ones. The celebration of Nowruz dates back over 3,000 years in Western Asia and has become widespread all around the world.

    Being an annual tradition shared by millions of people, Nowruz represents more than an observance passed through generations. It serves as a reminder that rebirth in nature is an optimistic occurrence.

    As winter comes to a halt and life begins anew, Nowruz is the opportunity to synchronize with nature’s surroundings. It’s about strengthening bonds, rekindling friendships and taking on new opportunities.

    “Since it signifies a new beginning, Nowruz is also a festival that is filled with hope, as expressed in the gentle and elegant words of the Persian poet Hafez: “Springtime is here again/With the charm of roses./Look at their fresh cheeks/And the bitter plant of sadness/Will be uprooted from your heart”. The fires that are lit at Nowruz in the Iranian countryside, on the northern plains of Iraq and on the beaches of Los Angeles burn up the bad luck and suffering of the previous year and carry the promise of future joy and a more peaceful world.” -Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day of Nowruz

    HOW TO OBSERVE

    Check to see if any Persian restaurants in your area are celebrating. Iranians love to share their cultural experiences. Use #DayOfNowruz to share on social media.

    HISTORY

    The United Nations officially recognized the International Day of Norwuz as an international holiday in 2010. The initiative was proposed by numerous countries who share the holiday including Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, India, Iran (the Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.

     

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    National Day Calendar

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  • WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY – Third Tuesday in March

    WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY

    World Social Work Day on the third Tuesday in March recognizes the hard work and dedication of social workers. A global organization of social workers comes together for social justice, human rights, and social development all through the promotion of best practices in social work.

    #WSWD

    Social workers serve many roles in their communities. They assess their client’s needs and challenges. As advocates, they speak for their clients, getting them access to the resources they need to improve their lives. Social workers also respond to crisis situations.

    They work in many settings, too. Social workers find positions in medical facilities, child welfare and human service agencies, and schools. They can also work in education, teaching new social workers.

    World Social Work Day celebrates the achievements of social work globally and locally. It also recognizes the efforts of individuals who’ve chosen social work as a profession.

    HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY

    • Be sure to give a shout-out to social workers in your community.
    • If you’re a social worker, share your experience.
    • Attend a job fair and encourage future social workers.
    • If you’re interested in becoming a social worker, learn more about their educational path.
    • To find out more visit ifsw.org.
    • And use #WSWD on all your social media posts throughout this day.

    WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY HISTORY

    The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) promotes World Social Work Day. Since 1983, The IFSW, an international, non-governmental organization of social workers has joined with other organizations to facilitate international cooperation, and recognize the accomplishments and contributions of social workers around the globe. Each year, the organization focuses on a theme. Some of the themes have included:

    2021 I Am Because We Are – Strengthening social solidarity and global connectedness
    2020 – Promoting the importance of human relationships
    2017 – Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability
    2015 – Promoting the Dignity and Worth of Peoples

    Social Work FAQ

    Q. What kind of degree do social workers have?
    A. Social workers complete a Bachelor of Social Work. Many social workers also continue their education and earn a Master’s degree or Ph.D. among other certificates and continuing education.

    Q. Where do social workers work?
    A. Social workers are employed in medical facilities, city and county welfare agencies, and schools.

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    Doug

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  • World Poetry Day | March 21

    World Poetry Day on March 21st serves as a reminder of the magnitude that reading and writing poetry has enriched and inspired the way we live our lives. Ever since humans have been recording history, poetry has challenged the norm with new ways of thinking through allegory and complex emotion. Words have always been the binding source between people and allows us to see life from a new perspective. Poetry is the artistic mastery of this phenomena, by conveying emotions within us and creating the ability to influence others. It’s our poetic nature that allows words to be the bridge to our feelings.

    “Poetry is a window onto the breath-taking diversity of humanity.” — Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General

    Poetry is not only an expression of art, but it also acts as an avenue of educating beyond the classroom setting. It allows us to take the knowledge we’ve been given and apply it directly to how we view the world. On this day we step into the realm of creative expression and open up to the inspiration that surrounds us, by sharing, collaborating and experiencing the world through poetry.

    HOW TO OBSERVE

    Use #WorldPoetryDay to share on social media.  Read or recite poems.  Try your hand at writing a poem. As numerous as the days, there are as many styles of poetry. Find one that you enjoy!

    Humans have been recording poetry since the beginning of time. So pick a year, any year, and delve into a new, undiscovered headspace. Then, break out some parchment and a quill for your own expression session!

    HISTORY

    The United Nations Educational Scientific And Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared World Poetry Day to be observed annually on March 21.  This declaration took place in 1999 in Paris, France during UNESCO’s 30th Session.  Click here to read more on the United Nations Website.

     

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