The word March comes from the Roman Martius. This was originally the first month of the Roman calendar and was named after Mars, the god of war.

March was also the beginning of our calendar year too. We changed to the “new style” or Gregorian calendar in 1752, and it is only since then when we learn that the year began on 1 January.

The Anglo-Saxons called the month Hlyd monath which means Stormy month or Hraed monath which means Rugged month.

Traditional games played in March

All through Lent the traditional games played are marbles and skipping. The games were stopped on the stroke of 12noon on Good Friday, which in some places was called Marble Day or Long Rope Day.

The game of marbles has been played for hundreds of years and some historians say that it might have been started by rolling eggs. In the past, round stones, hazelnuts, round balls of baked clay and even cherry stones have been used.

Flower of the month

One of the flowers most associated with March is the narcissus (Wild daffodil). Named after the boy in Greek mythology, who was changed into a flower, Narcissus is also known as Lent Lily because it blooms in early spring with the blooms usually dropping before Easter. The daffodil became a popular Welsh symbol in the 19th century. In England the daffodil inspired among others William Wordsworth to write his famous poem Daffodils. Another flower associated with March is the Jonquil.

Gemstone

The gemstone associated with March is the Bloodstone.

Famous nursery rhyme

The origin of ‘Oranges and Lemons’

In the days when the River Thames at London was wider than it is now, barges carrying oranges and lemons landed just below the churchyard of St Clements Dane. On the last day of March, local primary school children gathered at the church to attend a service. They recited the famous nursery rhyme and, on occasions, played the tune on hand bells. At the end of the service, the children were presented with an orange and a lemon from a table outside the church. This was what started the well-known nursery rhyme, which begins with the lines:

“Oranges and lemons

Say the bells of St Clement’s”

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Anniversaries

3 March

Alexander Bell, inventor of the telephone was born in 1847.

15 March

This date was the “Ides of March” in the Roman calendar. This meant it was the day on which the month was divided into two equal parts. Julius Caesar was murdered on this date in 44 BC.

18 March

A 30-mile an hour speed limit was imposed on built up areas in 1935.

22 March

English football league formed in 1888.

23 March

In 1891 goal nets were used for the first time in English football.

25 March

Heathrow Airport opened in 1948.

29 March

Coca-Cola was introduced on this date in 1886.

31 March

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was officially opened in 1889.