Stillpoint Meditation

03/27/2026

Happy World Theatre Day! World Theatre Day is celebrated every year on March 27. Designated by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1961, this day celebrates the essence, beauty, and importance of theatre arts, their significant role in entertainment, and the symbolic impact that theatre has on life. This day also serves to inform governments, politicians, institutions, and stakeholders around the world who have not yet realized the value of theatre to the people and its potential for economic growth.

History of World Theatre Day

Since ancient Greece, theatre has been a popular form of art and entertainment — thrilling its audiences and leaving them in awe. Not only does it entertain and educate, but theatre also combines various art forms to give its live audience a real stage experience, which they can’t find anywhere else.

World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on March 27, promoted by the ITI through its centers, and supported by theatre communities all over the world. The day was initiated by ITI, following President Arvi Kivimaa’s June 1961 proposal at the ninth World Congress of the ITI in Vienna — on behalf of the ITI’s Finnish Centre — for a World Theatre Day to be instituted. The proposal was supported by the Scandinavian centers of the ITI and publicized with enthusiasm.

The next year — on March 27, 1962, World Theatre Day was celebrated by ITI centers, ITI Cooperating Members, theatre professionals, and theatre organizations. Today, the day is celebrated in the 90+ ITI centers throughout the world, with theatre universities, academies, schools, and theatre lovers all around the globe joining in the day’s observance.

Different events are organized to mark World Theatre Day every year. A prominent feature of these annual events is the World Theatre Day International Message, presented by a famous art figure, reflecting on the history of theatre and a culture of peace in today’s world. The first World Theatre Day International Message was written by French poet and playwright Jean Cocteau in 1962. In 2021, the Message of the World Theatre Day was authored by Helen Mirren, a multi-award-winning British actress reputed for winning the Academy Award in 2007 for her performance in “The Queen.”

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/25/2026

Happy Dante Day! Dante Day, or Dantedi as the Italians call it, celebrates the life and works of the incredible Italian writer, Dante Alighieri, on March 25. Alighieri is most famous for his masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy,” which chronicled his journey to Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

Alighieri is a great symbol of Italian genius. In fact, his work helped to create and promote the Italian language. On National Dante Day, hundreds of readings and exhibitions are held all over Italy to honor the man who wrote perhaps the greatest literary work in the Italian language.

If you’re a lover of great literature, divinity, or Italy, you simply have to join Italy in celebrating the man they refer to as ‘il Sommo Poeta,’ which means ‘the Supreme Poet.’

History of Dante Day

Dante Day, or Dantedi, was created by the Italian government in 2020 in honor of the talented poet, Dante Alighieri.

Alighieri wrote what is considered to be one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages and the single greatest literary work written in the Italian language. He is part of the ‘tre corone’ or ‘three crowns’ of Italian literature, alongside Petrarch and Boccaccio.

Poetry wasn’t Alighieri’s only contribution to the Italian heritage. His work was actually instrumental in establishing the modern-day standardized Italian language. He is often referred to as the father of the Italian language. He wrote in vernacular Italian at a time when most poetry was only written in Latin, which was only accessible to educated readers. His work set a precedent for other Italian writers to follow.

In March 1302, Alighieri was condemned to exile for two years and ordered to pay a large fine because of his affiliation with the White Guelph at a time when the Black Guelphs had taken over the government. He was also accused of corruption and financial wrongdoing. Alighieri did not pay the fine because he did not believe he was guilty and his assets in Florence were seized by the Black Guelphs. This meant he was condemned to perpetual exile — unless he paid the fine, he would be burnt at the stake if he returned to Florence.

It was during this exile that Alighieri wrote the Divine Comedy, as well as most of his other work. He spent his last days in Ravenna, where he had been invited to stay by the prince of the city.

The city of Florence came to regret having exiled Alighieri, and they made many requests for the return of his body, but their requests were denied.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/23/2026

Happy Atheist Day! Atheist Day observed annually on March 23, is a day that focuses on those who do not believe in god. The term ‘atheism’ first emerged in medieval Europe more than 400 years ago and was used to describe those who rejected the thought of a higher power.

In the present day, there are said to be over 4,000 religions in this world, and almost every one of them has associated festivals and observances. Although atheists do not believe in a God, they, too, chose a special day to be set aside, hence the creation of Atheist Day.

History of Atheist Day

The concept of atheism is said to be as old as religion itself. There have been records and writings suggesting that even in Judaism during 550 B.C. Some people did not believe in the existence of Gods. There has also been evidence suggesting the same in Christianity and Islam later on.

Lokayata was a school in India during the sixth century B.C. which was openly atheistic.
However, in those times, being an atheist was frowned upon. Being called an atheist was taken as an insult. Even stories suggest that people with such beliefs were executed and treated as outcasts in societies.

In the Middle Ages, many freethinkers like Al-Ma’arri in Persia and Nicholas of Cusa from ancient Germany further spread the concept of atheism. During the Renaissance, Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli challenged the views of the Church and religion.

With communism rising in Eastern Europe and Asia, the concept of atheism became more acceptable. Though the term atheist was simply used as an umbrella term to refer to someone who didn’t believe in God, there existed different levels of atheism in society.

Some people were skeptical about beliefs in general. Some didn’t believe in a God but felt that it could be tolerated, and then there were some like the ‘New Atheists’ who believed in not just tolerating it but rather opposing it. Agnosticism was a concept that stemmed from this belief.

It suggested that the existence or non-existence of God cannot be proved.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/21/2026

Roosevelt called them “the lungs of the Earth,” Robert Frost and millions of poets were inspired by them, and Sting is fighting to save them. We’re talking about forests. And celebrities aren’t the only ones who feel a strong connection with them. We all do. Just a simple walk in the woods can calm and invigorate our senses. In fact, the forests are so crucial to the future of our planet that the UN declared March 21 to be the International Day of Forests. For many years now, this amazing global celebration has been creating awareness all over the world about the importance of forests. They are one of our greatest natural treasures that we must preserve and protect.

How to Observe International Day of Forests

Plant a tree or start a victory garden
Go ahead! Do your bit to make your city a little greener. Even buying a little plant for your home counts!

Go hiking in the woods or a state park
There isn’t a better time to get out, bond with nature and drive away those winter blues because spring has just begun.

Make a leaf scrapbook
A great activity for the entire family. Scrapbooking and recording interesting facts is a great way to teach children about the different type of trees and their importance.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash

February 21, 2026 - Today is National Sticky Bun Day. At National Today, we help you celebrate the most fun, important, and off-beat holidays in the U.S. and around the world. Check out our special deals and contests every day!

03/20/2026

Happy Astrology Day! Astrology Day takes place on any day from March 19 to March 22. It mostly falls on March 20 and 21 and takes place on March 20. The specific day is dependent on the day that the Northward equinox occurs. The holiday is observed by astrologers and people that are enthusiastic about astrology. Astrology is a pseudoscience that purports to be able to deduce information about terrestrial events concerning human affairs by observing the relative positions and movement of celestial objects. Astrologers regard the holiday as the start of the astrological year. It is the first full day of the astrological sign of Aries, signaling the start of the tropical zodiac.

History of Astrology Day

In its broadest sense, astrology is the search for meaning in the sky. Markings on bones and cave walls suggest that lunar cycles were being documented as early as 25,000 years ago, indicating that humans made conscious attempts to measure, record, and forecast seasonal changes by reference to astronomical cycles. Astrology became more popular in the 20th century because of the release of the newspaper horoscope which was a common mass media product.

The first World Astrology Day was observed in 1993 by the members of the Association for Astrological Networking (AFAN). Astrology was used to predict the changes in season, it was also used to monitor the celestial bodies, Sun, Moon, stars, and other planets. Traditional studies made use of this astrology learning and it was commonly accepted by cultural and political cycles. There is a belief that astrology started as soon as man started attempting to record, measure, and predict seasonal changes.

Astrologers are known to read horoscopes and even though it has no scientific backing, a lot of people believe in them. Over 70 million Americans go to astrologers to read their horoscopes and predict their futures. Different people are going to astrologers to help them interpret the stars for advice. Understanding the locations of the stars is the foundation of astrology, which appears to be a scientific enough subject in itself.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/18/2026

Some things are just better out in the open and Awkward Moments Day on March 18 is your chance to embrace those embarrassing or awkward moments from your past and laugh about them. Remember that time you enthusiastically waved at your friend but soon realized that they were a complete stranger? What about the time when that incy-wincy pebble tripped you in front of all of your classmates? For some of us, it feels like these awkward moments come looking for us. If you’re one of those people, then today is your day.

History of Awkward Moments Day

The variety of awkward moments is endless, but some of humanity’s most cringe-worthy moments have been better documented than others. Just in case you’re working through your own social faux pas, check out this history to make yourself think: “hey, at least I didn’t do that.”

Turns out, humans have been awkward since the dawn of time. Some of the earliest awkward moments we could find include Isaac Newton incorrectly predicting the end of the world several times, a football team in the 1929 Rose Bowl almost running a touchdown to the wrong side of the field, and President Roosevelt accidentally running into Churchill coming out of the bath, naked!

With the advent of radio, TV, movies, and more technology that connects us, the number of awkward moments publicized and made infamous expanded exponentially. Who hasn’t heard of Janet Jackson’s famous “Nipplegate” situation at the Superbowl? Who doesn’t remember when Ashlee Simpson got caught lip-synching at a concert?

Awkward moments in the YouTube age have a whole new character, as they can be watched over and over again. More famous awkward moments from the 21st century include Mike Tyson falling off a hoverboard and when Ariana Grande got caught on camera licking a doughnut at a bakery before putting it back (ew!).

We have to say, the awkward moments that take the cake are those brought on by the digital age of communication – we mean texting, dating apps, and social media. You know what we’re talking about. Raise your hand if you’ve ever swiped right on a coworker by mistake and had to avoid their desk on your way to the kitchen. Who else has liked a crush’s Instagram post from three years ago? We can’t be the only ones who have ever sent a screenshot of a message… right back to the person we were texting.

Our media age offers a plethora of opportunities for personal embarrassment, but hey – at least we can watch everyone else’s awkward moments on YouTube. Take heart knowing that awkward moments have existed since the dawn of time, and occasionally running into a tree or putting our feet in our mouth only connects us and makes us human. Plus, they’re fun to laugh about!

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/16/2026

Did you know? Freedom of Information Day is observed every year on March 16 on the birthday of former President James Madison. The day ensures the public is aware of all the government’s information and provided with the necessary information. The information the government can hold on to may include the decisions it makes, the facts it discovers, and sometimes private information on people for surveillance purposes. Under the Freedom of Information Act, an individual can demand the information they want by requesting it, and this information is provided free of cost or with a minimal fee.

History of Freedom of Information Day

We don’t really know when Freedom of Information Day was first celebrated. However, the day is observed on James Madison’s birthday, the fourth President of the U.S., born on March 16, 1751. He is remembered as the “Father of the Constitution” who drafted and promoted the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The Freedom of Information Act (F.O.I.A.) was passed on July 4, 1966, and came into effect a year later. The date was chosen since Madison was an advocate for the freedom of data and individual rights to obtain the correct information. This day serves as a yearly reminder of the significance of transparency within the American government and the public’s right to information.

The right to information was the fruit of the labor of several people who dedicated their entire lives fighting for it. Freedom of Information Day celebrates the idea of free information, giving more power and transparency to people, and making democracies stronger. Every person has an equal role in the nation’s governance, which means that everyone’s vote is important. The same fact applies to freedom of information. Every citizen deserves to know the facts related to the government. This helps people make important decisions and ensure that their government and elected representatives serve them well.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/12/2026

Did you know? World Glaucoma Day is observed on March 12 every year across the world. This is an important day that seeks to raise awareness about the group of eye diseases known as glaucoma. The day is part of a week of raising awareness about this disease and ensuring that it is caught early. Early detection of glaucoma improves the chances of stopping or at least slowing the disease down with appropriate treatments. The blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible, but if caught early, the disease can be treated and people will not have to endure the difficulties of blindness when it is preventable.

History of World Glaucoma Day

World Glaucoma Day is observed on March 12 every year. This day is observed worldwide as part of the week set aside to raise awareness and eliminate blindness caused by glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the name of several eye diseases that can cause vision loss by damaging the optic nerve. Often the diseases develop slowly and don’t cause any pain, which makes it easy to ignore till it’s too late. Blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible. However, the disease is treatable if caught early.

Damage caused to the optic nerve by glaucoma can be treated to halt the progression of the disease or, at the very least, slow it down. While there are some causes of glaucoma that have a sudden onset, most of the time, these diseases develop gradually and can be caught in time to prevent blindness.

The leading cause of glaucoma is a buildup of fluid that causes an increase in pressure in the eye. Glaucoma disease is caused when the aqueous humor — a natural fluid produced by the eye — fails to drain out naturally from the eye.

Usually, the fluid drains out of the eye and is replaced with fresh aqueous humor, which the eye produces constantly. However, if something is wrong with the drainage angle, then the fluid will be retained in the eye, and over time, the fluid buildup will increase the pressure on the optic nerve. The fibers on the optic nerve start dying as a result of the pressure. Over time, all the fibers die, causing total, irreversible blindness.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/10/2026

Happy Harriet Tubman Day! Harriet Tubman Day is celebrated on March 10 every year. If you’ve never heard of Harriet Tubman, she was a former slave who fought tirelessly to free other slaves by assisting them in fleeing their captors. Tubman is celebrated all around the United States, especially in Maryland and New York, two states, which held great significance in her life. She is most commonly known for the underground railroad which refers to the network of safe houses she used to help slaves escape. Harriet Tubman Day is a day to remember the heroic actions of this great woman and honor her work by fighting racism wherever you see it.

History of Harriet Tubman Day

Harriet Tubman Day was enacted as a national holiday in 1990 by the United States Congress as a way to celebrate the heroic work of Tubman towards the abolishment of slavery and freedom of slaves. The holiday was adopted into law by the U.S. Senate on March 6, 1990, passed through the House of Representatives the next day, and proclaimed as a holiday by then-president, George Bush, on March 9 in the same year.

While the specific details about Harriet Tubman’s date of birth are widely unknown or unconfirmed, we do know that she was born in March sometime between 1820 and 1822 to Benjamin Ross and Harriet Green. She was born on a plantation in Dorchester Country in New Maryland. She was originally named Araminta ‘Minty’ Ross, but soon after her first marriage, she changed her name to Harriet Tubman.

Tubman’s courage can be traced as far back as when she was an adolescent. She ran away often, fought back, and wore layers of clothing to protect herself from beatings. Her mother was also known for fighting back. Tubman’s mother once told a slave trader who wanted to take her son “you are after my son; but the first man that comes into my house, I will split his head open.”

In 1849, she became a free woman after escaping from the plantation. After her escape, she spent most of her life fighting for others and strategizing ways to help more slaves secure their freedom. She worked odd jobs and saved money to help free other slaves.
Over the years, she helped about 70 slaves escape and she never lost passengers.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

03/09/2026

Did you know? The Adelaide Cup Day (Australia) is celebrated on the second Monday of March every year and is also known as the March Public Holiday. This year, it takes place on March 9. This public holiday in South Australia is the day when the Adelaide Cup Day Race occurs and has been an important part of Australia’s landscape for centuries. The Adelaide Cup Day is a race by the South Australian Jockey Club for Group 2 thoroughbred horses. This race is the second oldest horse race in Australia, next to the Melbourne Cup. An important race, it brings together the best race jockeys and horses from South Australia and sometimes even some of the Northern states.

History of Adelaide Cup Day

The Adelaide Cup (Australia) is a national holiday in Southern Australia celebrated on the second Monday of March every year. While the holiday was instituted more recently, the race itself has been a part of Australian culture for centuries. This cup is a South Australian Jockey Club horse race for Group 2 Thoroughbred horses.

Group races, also known as pattern races, are some of the highest-level races for thoroughbred horses in the world. There are about 550 group races in Australia. While the Adelaide Cup used to be a Group 1 race like the Melbourne Cup, it has now become a Group 2 race. The minimum prize money for a Group 2 horse race is $175,000 (Australian dollars). The prize money for the Adelaide Cup (Australia) is $400,000 (Australian dollars).

Today the race is 3,200 meters, which is about two miles. Earlier, the race was measured through furlongs. The Adelaide Cup (Australia) began as a 13-furlong race that became 16 furlongs with time.

The Adelaide Cup (Australia) is the second oldest race for thoroughbred horses in the country, second only to the Melbourne Cup, which is a Group 1 race. The Adelaide Cup is a major social event, and part of the Mad March celebrations in South Australia which include arts and music festivals as well as a touring car race. Since the attendance at the race dropped, the South Australia Jockey Club has contemplated moving the race out of March but wasn’t able to because the public holiday couldn’t be changed.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/06/2026

Did you know? The Paralympic Winter Games happen after every four years and the next ones are scheduled for 2026 and will run from March 6 to 15. The game’s venue will be Milan, Italy and it will be overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The 10-day event celebrates the human spirit, as disabled people from all around the world are invited to compete in sports of their choice. Amputations, cerebral palsy, wheelchair, visual impairment, intellectual disability, and thalidomide-induced impairment are the six categories of disabilities recognized by the IPC. The winners are awarded silver, bronze, and gold medals.

History of Paralympic Winter Games

The Paralympic Winter Games is an international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities. It’s the counterpart of the Paralympic Summer Games. Athletes with one of six IOC-identified disabilities get to compete for medals and international recognition. It is an approximately 10-day long event, held every four years in different countries of the world. Sports for athletes with disabilities have existed since the late 19th Century, but professional competition on a global stage began in the 1950s.

In 1944, the British Government established a special care unit for spinal injuries at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Under the leadership of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the hospital evolved into a rehabilitation center for competitive sports. After the Second World War, injured soldiers returned home and bonded with other injured and impaired soldiers over indoor and outdoor sports. Strung along these initiatives, the concept of international disability competitions was first discussed.

The Winter Edition of the Paralympics was launched in 1976, two decades after the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome. The Paralympics started with 16 founding countries. Many events across several sports were held in the first Paralympic Winter Games, including skiing. There are many people who paved the way for the Paralympic Winter Games, one of the prominent ones being Sepp Zwicknagl, a double-leg amputee and professional skier who tried skiing with prosthetics for the first time. The International Olympic Committee continues to refine the selection process for the Paralympics, with efforts to put forward a larger representation of people with different kinds of disabilities. The 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will have five sports, namely Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, para ice hockey, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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03/04/2026

Happy March Forth! March Forth is an annual unofficial holiday celebrated on March 4 to encourage everyone to work towards achieving their dreams. It aims to provide an opportunity for people to take calculated risks towards achieving their goals and developing themselves. It is a special day to take a stand against procrastination or the faux reasons that tend to creep into our heads and discourage us from even trying. The name was made up as a homophone of the day ‘March Fourth.’ It is also the shortened version of the full name — ‘March Forth and Do Something Day.’

History of March Forth

March Forth was born out of the numerous stories of people giving up on their goals due to procrastination and sheer lack of motivation. It encourages support for anyone who may need a little nudge to help kickstart and go full steam on their goals. The holiday is observed for the same reason its name alludes to, marching forth, and it is one of the few unofficial holidays that serve an important purpose of helping to guide our path.

One interesting thing and perhaps an unintended consequence of the date of the holiday is that it comes off the back of some significant holidays celebrated in the months prior to March Forth Day, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is in January, and February’s Black History Month. This is perhaps why some believe the day is an opportune time for Americans to “march forth” towards unity and reflect on the dark history of early human rights struggles to avoid reliving it. To these people, March Forth is a Christian holiday that invites the American populace to begin anew and make an effort to open their hearts and minds to the common goal of unity and the work of racial reconciliation through the love of God.

However, the central purpose of the holiday is for people to make a special effort to improve their lives and “March Forth” toward their dreams and highest aspirations, taking calculated risks, and making the necessary sacrifices.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
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