As March arrives, the United States presidential nomination race is heating up.  This year, a woman, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is competing for the Democrat presidential nomination.  Primaries in Texas and Ohio on March 4 may decide the outcome of the Democrat presidential nomination race between Clinton and Barack Obama.  Other women in US history to run for president include Victoria Woodhull, Margaret Chase Smith, Ellen McCormack, Shirley Chisholm, and Lenora Fulani.

Appropriately, March is also recognized as National Women’s History Month in the United States, highlighting accomplishments of American women throughout history.  This year the theme is “Women’s Art:  Women’s Vision” and honors various women artists and their contributions to society.  The 2008 honorees are:  Judy Chicago, Harmony Hammond, Edna Hibel, Lihua Lei, Violet Oakley, Rose Cecil O’Neill, Faith Ringgold, Miriam Schapiro, Lorna Simpson, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Nancy Spero, and June Claire Wayne.

March 2 marks the birthday of Dr. Seuss.  Dr. Seuss, a pseudonym used by Ted Geisel, wrote many beloved children’s books such as Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish.  The annual National Education Association’s Read Across America Day will be March 3.  Held in conjunction with Dr. Seuss’s birthday, the theme this year is “Grab Your Hat and Read with the Cat.”

Daylight Savings Time begins March 9, which means the first day of spring, March 20, is not far behind.  If you’re thinking about doing some spring-cleaning, you’ll be glad to know that March 17-24 is National Clean Out Your Closet Week.  Or, if you’d rather put that task off for later, you can celebrate National Procrastination Week the second week of March.

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, a religious holiday observed by people of Irish heritage, has become a holiday recognized worldwide with people of many backgrounds celebrating “the wearing o’ the green.”

Easter falls on Sunday, March 23 this year.  Easter is a holiday that occurs on a different date each year sometime between March 22 and April 25.  Easter is a Christian celebration remembering the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  However, Western and Eastern Christianity may designate Easter Sunday on different calendar dates within a year.  This year, Eastern Christianity will celebrate Easter on April 27.

Additional Resources for March:

• NPR (National Public Radio): Election 2008 - In-depth coverage of the 2008 primaries as well as the latest news stories related to the candidates.
• National Women’s History Museum - Access details about the museum as well as cyber museum with displays and educational resources about women’s history.
• Suessville - Includes in-depth biography of Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss), in addition to online games, national events, and ordering information for Dr. Seuss books.
• NEA’s Read Across America - Offers resources for celebrating Read Across America Day.
• Clean Out Your Closet Week - Provides tips and products to help clean out your closets.
• The History Channel: St. Patrick’s Day - View information about St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland.