Author: Nat Days

Bibliomania Day is a commemoration of the audacious theft of 23,600 books carried out by Stephen Blumberg, a notorious book thief.

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#BibliomaniaDay

Bibliomania Day is celebrated annually on March 20th.

Extraterrestrial Abductions Day is a humorous holiday that celebrates the idea of being abducted by aliens from outer space.

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#ExtraterrestrialAbductionsDay

Extraterrestrial Abductions Day is celebrated annually on March 20th.

National Stretch Mark Day is a day dedicated to embracing and celebrating stretch marks. It aims to promote body positivity and self-acceptance by recognizing that stretch marks are a natural and normal part of many people’s bodies.

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#NationalStretchMarkDay

National Stretch Mark Day is celebrated annually on March 19th.

National Backyard Day is a day to celebrate spending time in your backyard with family and friends. It’s a time to enjoy outdoor activities like barbecuing, gardening, playing games, reading, relaxing, and appreciating nature, while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

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#NationalBackyardDay

National Backyard Day is celebrated annually on March 19th.

French Language Day is an annual event organized by the United Nations to promote the importance of French language, culture and diversity worldwide.

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#FrenchLanguageDay

French Language Day is celebrated annually on March 20th.

Alien Abduction Day is an annual observance on March 20th that recognizes the idea of being abducted by extraterrestrial beings. It is a tongue-in-cheek holiday that celebrates the mystery and mythology surrounding UFO sightings and alleged encounters with aliens

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#AlienAbductionDay

Alien Abduction Day is celebrated annually on March 20th.

Great American Meatout is an annual event that encourages people to try a vegetarian or vegan diet for one day as a way to promote healthier eating habits, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.

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#GreatAmericanMeatout

Great American Meatout is celebrated annually on March 20th.

Every year on March 16th, Finnish-Americans and folklore enthusiasts celebrate St. Urho’s Day, a unique holiday originating in the United States. While lesser known than St. Patrick’s Day, which follows on March 17th, St. Urho’s Day is a playful and proud celebration of Finnish heritage, complete with traditions, parades, and, of course, the legendary tale of St. Urho driving grasshoppers out of Finland.

The Origins of St. Urho’s Day

Unlike most holidays with ancient religious or historical roots, Finnish-Americans created St. Urho’s Day in Minnesota in the 1950s. According to legend, Richard Mattson, a store manager from Virginia, Minnesota, first conceived the holiday and wanted to create a Finnish counterpart to St. Patrick’s Day. He jokingly crafted the story of St. Urho, a mythical Finnish saint who saved Finland’s grape crops from a devastating grasshopper plague by chanting “Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen!” (“Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to hell!”).

How St. Urho’s Day is Celebrated

St. Urho’s Day celebrations are full of fun, humor, and Finnish pride. Common traditions include:

1. Wearing Purple and Green—Unlike St. Patrick’s Day, which has a green theme, St. Urho’s Day calls for purple (representing grapes) and green (representing grasshoppers).
2. Parades and Festivals – Cities with Finnish-American communities, such as Finland, Minnesota, and Menahga, Minnesota, host lively parades and events.
3. Feasting on Finnish Cuisine – Traditional Finnish dishes like mojakka (fish stew), pasties, and rye bread are enjoyed today.
4. Storytelling and Humor – Finnish-Americans share the legendary tale of St. Urho and embrace the holiday’s lighthearted spirit.
5. Raising a Toast – Finnish drinks like kahvi (coffee) or Finnish beer are raised in honor of the fictional saint.

Why St. Urho’s Day is Important

Although created as a humorous holiday, the occasion holds cultural significance for Finnish Americans and those who appreciate folklore. It serves as:

• A Celebration of Finnish Heritage – A way for Finnish-Americans to honor their ancestry and traditions.
• A Unique Alternative to St. Patrick’s Day – A lighthearted event for those looking to celebrate something different.
• A Showcase of Creativity and Community Spirit – Demonstrates the power of storytelling and cultural pride.

Fun Facts

The legend of St. Urho continues to grow, with new variations emerging over time.

Some claim the holiday originated as an inside joke at a Minnesota restaurant.

Menahga, Minnesota, has a 17-foot-tall St. Urho statue commemorating the holiday.

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#StUrhosDay

St. Urho’s Day is celebrated annually on March 16th.

National Curl Crush Day is a social media campaign to celebrate and embrace natural curly hair. It encourages individuals to share photos, stories and tips about their curly hair journey and to promote self-confidence and acceptance of natural hair texture.

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#NationalCurlCrushDay

National Curl Crush Day is celebrated annually on March 16th.

Goddard Day is an annual celebration held by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, USA. It honors the birth anniversary of Dr. Robert H. Goddard, who is considered the father of modern rocket propulsion and spaceflight

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#GoddardDay

Goddard Day is celebrated annually on March 16th.