Often on our blogging site, we feature articles on specific projects, nonprofit activities, community events and personal stories that have significance to a team member. But for March’s article, let’s talk about the known and unknown facts of why March stands out as one of the most talked about months of the year. Share this with your colleagues, friends, family, clients and staff.

On March 2, 2016 NASA astronaut Scott Kelly returned from space after one full year, setting a record for the longest uninterrupted trip to space. If you haven’t read his book Endurance, you may want to consider doing so. The trip back to earth took approximately 3 ½ hours. That’s how long it takes to go from Cheyenne to New Castle, provided the roads are good. One scientist pointed out that the planets will be lined up advantageously for a flight to Mars in 2033. That’s only 13 years away. Kelly thinks Mars is a great goal for the United States. Coincidentally, March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and named after Mars, the Roman god of war. I like the tie-in, Mr. Kelly.

Let’s not forget about March 8. Daylight saving time begins at 2 am, freeing Americans from the constant refrain of “it’s dark before I even leave work.” I know, I didn’t like that either. Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour.

March 8 is also International Women’s Day, which is a day that not only celebrates the achievements of women and the progress made toward women’s rights, but also brings attention to ongoing struggles for equality around the world.

On March 17, we break out every piece of green clothing and jewelry, don shamrock-shaped pins and glasses, dye our bagels and beverages green. According to folklore, St. Patrick used the three-leaved clover (shamrock) in his teachings about the Holy Trinity.

If you are a basketball fan, then you’ve had March Madness blocked off for quite some time. If you are not, you are probably sick of emails with brackets and deadlines for getting your bracket in. Now I for one LOVE March Madness. It’s the best month for basketball (but worst for productivity). March Madness runs from March 17, 2020 and will conclude with the championship game on April 6. If you don’t want to bet your money on the Madness, your safest bet may be that lots and lots of people will be distracted.

Also, on March 17, 1973, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon” first hits the Billboard Top 200 chart at number 95. A mere 14 years later (736 chart weeks, to be exact), it finally left the top 200 for the first time, setting a still-unbroken world record.

Thursday, March 19 brings about the March equinox—also called the vernal or spring equinox—marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the Sun stands directly over the Earth’s equator.

And lastly, March’s birthstone is the aquamarine. This gem is a type of beryl; its color can be pale to dark blue, greenish-blue, or blue green; March’s Zodiac signs are Pisces (February 20 to March 20) and Aries (March 21 to April 20).

I hope you enjoyed the blog. Now let’s march forward and make it a great month!

Cathy Drzal for The Align Team