March Inclusive
Celebrations and Recognitions
MONTH LONG CELEBRATIONS
- NATIONAL READING MONTH
- WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
- DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH
MARCH DAILY EVENTS
- March 2- Read Across America Day
- March 3 – Employee Appreciation Day
- March 3-11 National School Social Work Week
- March 6 – Purim (Jewish)
- March 8 – International Women’s Day
- March 8 – Holi (Hindu)
- March 10- Harriet Tubman's birthday (observed).
- March 14 – Pi π Day
- March 15 – Equal Pay Day
- March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
- March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
- March 21 – Persian New Year (Nowruz)
- March 21- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- March 22 to April 21 or 22 – Ramadan begins (Islam)
- March 23 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
READ ACROSS AMERICA AND DR. SEUSS
Read Across America, Launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA) and guided by a committee of educators, is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. Celebrated on March 2nd, this program focuses on “motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone” (NEA, 2021). In past years, March 2nd was known as a day to celebrate Dr. Seuss, and the NEA partnered with Seuss Enterprises; however, since 2018, the NEA found it imperative to “recognize the need to work with more diverse arrays of organizations and publishers” allowing students read books that served as windows and mirrors, promoting inclusivity and equity in literacy. The NEA has shifted its focus from celebrating this day as Dr. Seuss Day to a more inclusive approach.
If you are planning to celebrate Read Across America Day, below is a list of recommended texts and activities/ideas on the NEA 2023 Calendar.
MARCH IS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH
March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”