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See below for a sample of dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The full calendar is available on the website,

March 20
International Francophone Day
International Francophonie Day (In French, Journée internationale de la francophonie) is observed within the International Organization of La Francophonie's 77 member states every March 20 to celebrate the French language and Francophone culture. There are over 274 million French speakers on Earth.

Ostara (W)
Ostara is one of the eight major Wiccan holidays or sabbats of the Wheel of the Year. Ostara is celebrated on the Vernal Equinox, in the Northern hemisphere around March 21 and in the Southern hemisphere around September 23, depending upon the specific timing of the equinox. Among the Wiccan sabbats, it is preceded by Imbolc and followed by Beltane. The Festival of Ostara at the spring equinox marks the end of winter and the beginning of the season of rebirth (spring), and is celebrated by a blot in honour of Frigg and Freya and/or the disir, the collective of female fertility deities. “The "blot" is a celebratory meal (also known as "cakes and ale") that is believed to be shared with the Goddess.

Naw Ruz (New Year) (BA ZO)
Naw Ruz or Nowruz is the first day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar year. It is the traditional Iranian new year holiday celebrated by Iranian, Turkish, and many other peoples in West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Caucasus, the Crimea, and the Balkans. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the Iranian year. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox (start of spring in northern hemisphere), which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. This is a non-work day for Baha’is. As well as being a Zoroastrian holiday, it is also a holy day for adherents the Baha’i Faith. This is a non-work day for Baha’is. In Iran it is also referred to as an Eid festival, although it is not an Islamic feast. Alawites and Nizari Ismaili Muslims also celebrate Nowruz.

March 21
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN)
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21 with activities led by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, New York, and at field-presences. This year's theme is: "Racism and Discrimination: Obstacles to Development." On March 21, 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws." In 1966, the General Assembly proclaimed 21 March 21 as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to commemorate the Sharpeville tragedy (resolution 2142 (XXI) of October 26, 1966). March 21 has since then served not only to remind the international community of the dire consequences of racism, but also to recall our obligation and determination to combat racial discrimination.

March 25
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (UN)
On December 17, 2007, the UN General Assembly designated March 25 as an annual International Day for the Commemoration of the Two-Hundredth Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The purpose of this day is to honour the memory of those who died as a result of slavery as well as those who have been exposed to the horrors of the middle passage and have fought for freedom from enslavement. In addition, it is a day to discuss the causes, consequences, and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade in order to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice.

March 28
Ramayana Week begins
Begins nine days before Ramanavmi, the birth day of Lord Rama. Fasting during this period is considered highly auspicious.