#FunFactFriday – March Edition
Just as spring is here (it starts on March 20, unless you live in Arizona, in which case it began on January 3); so is another installment of HMA’s #FunFactFriday.
The first fun fact: we are not just sharing these juicy nuggets for our health. Within the public relations industry, timely tidbits are used to develop myriad communications materials from story pitches and bylined articles to newsletter hooks and full-on marketing campaigns. Known for playing well in the sandbox with colleagues and peers across our industry for more than 40 years, we provide these facts each month to pay it forward and help folks find great angles for their brands while we have a little fun.
So, here we go!
Most of you know March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. But did you know March 17 also marks the birthdays of Kurt Russell, Gary Sinise and Abbie’s boyfriend, Rob Lowe? March 17 also falls during Sleep Awareness Week, National Ethics Month and Women’s History Month. The date also happens to occur during the opening days of March Madness this year.
March 17 is not the only big day in the calendar. March 8 is a big one for communications professionals: National Proofreading Day. Another goodie: Pi Day! Yes, there is an actual day – March 14 – dedicated to the Greek letter symbolizing the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Or, as you likely know it, 3.14 and some other numbers. March 29 is a good one as well as it marks National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. Want more? There is a full list of big theme days in March here.
As for historical significance, March is packed. For example:
March 5, 1770: The Boston Massacre occurred.
March 6, 1950: Silly putty is invented.
March 8, 1817: The New York Stock Exchange is founded.
March 9, 1959: Mattel debuts Barbie.
March 9, 1964: The first Ford Mustang rolls off the assembly line.
March 10, 1862: The U.S. government issues paper money for the first time.
March 17, 1969: Golda Meir becomes the first female Prime Minister of Israel.
March 18, 1818: The U.S. government approves the first pensions for government service.
March 28, 1866: The first ambulance goes into service.
Finally, did you know that March used to be the first month in the calendar? It is true! Back when Romulus served as the first King of Rome, he overhauled the Roman calendar system. It resulted in just 10 months, with the first month of the year being March (then called Martius).
