Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: March 1st, 2022. I would like to ask you to take a look at the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which Holiday you most want to celebrate and why you chose that Holiday.
Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday – date varies
February 16, 2021; March 1, 2022; February 21, 2023; February 14, 2024; March 4, 2025
It’s time to party it up, and ….eat!!
Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday which is also known as Mardi Gras Day or Shrove Day. This is a Holiday is when people eat all they want of everything and anything they want. The following day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a long fasting period for Christians. In addition to fasting, Christians also give up something special that they enjoy. Fat Tuesday is a celebration and the opportunity to enjoy that favorite food or snack that you give up for the long Lenten season.
Nowhere on the planet is Fat Tuesday celebrated more than on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The day is celebrated with Festivities and Parades and of course much food and drink. While in New Orleans, a big tradition is in wearing Mardi Gras beads and giving them to others. Tradition requires that if a guy gives a girl some beads, she has to do something for him. This can be just loads of fun.
On Bourbon Street in New Orleans, store owners coat poles and columns with Vaseline to keep wild and rowdy revelers from climbing them (and perhaps falling).
In addition to being called Mardi Gras Day and Fat Tuesday, this is also called Fastnacht Day. Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and other areas with large German populations, refer to it as Fastnacht Day.
More Information:
Date When Celebrated:
National Pig Day- always March 1st
Yellow Pig Day – always July 17th
About Pig Days- –
National Pig Day recognizes and gives thanks to domesticated Pigs. For some unknown reason, big, pot-bellied Pigs seen in Zoos, are often the symbol of the day. Pigs are clever and intelligent animals. Most people are unaware of this high level of intelligence Pigs have. Did you know Pigs can be taught to do tricks? Some people even keep Pigs as pets. Today is a day to give Pigs the respect that they deserve.
National Pig Day is celebrated by Zoos, too. Activities include Snort Offs, Pig Outs, and online Pig Chats.
Yellow Pig Day is a mathematician’s holiday celebrating yellow pigs (is there such a thing!?!), and the number 17. This is celebrated annually since the early 1960’s, primarily on college campuses, and primarily by mathematicians. On campus, Yellow Pig Cake and Yellow Pig Carols are tradition!
If you are a mathematician, spend part of the day thinking and working in multiples of 17. While you do so, give a little thought to yellow pigs.
Another Pig Day? There are also references to a “Pig Day” on January 17th which we found it in online calendars and on Ecard companies, but we did not find it in any published documents. We did not find any factual evidence supporting this Holiday on January 17th.
History and Origin of National Pig Day and Yellow Pig Day:
Ellen Stanley, a Texas Art Teacher created National Pig Day in 1972. Ellen Stanley intent was to recognize and be thankful for Pigs as intelligent domestic animals.
There is no evidence to suggest that this is truly a “National” Holiday, which requires an act of congress.
The Yellow Pig was the brainstorm of mathematicians Michael Spivak and David C. Kelly in the early 1960’s. They were students at Princeton University, studying mathematics. History was made as they were listing interesting properties of the number 17. During this thought wave, the yellow Pig was born. Most likely, the yellow Pig had 17 toes, 17 teeth, 17 eyelashes, etc. The yellow pig and the number 17 have been linked ever since.
Paczki Day in the U.S. – date varies
In Poland: Celebrated on Fat Thursday, the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.
In the United States: Celebrated on Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Paczki were created in the Middle Ages, when the King of Poland brought French Chefs into his castle to make Pastries for Shrove Week. Shrove Week began on Fat Thursday, the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. The week ended on Fat Tuesday, the Day before Ash Wednesday. Paczki is a sweet treat which became instantly popular in Poland. Paczki almost immediately became a tradition to eat Paczki on Fat Thursday in Poland. Fat Thursday soon became also known as Paczki Day.
Don’t Call Paczki a Donut!
On the outside, the visual appearance of Paczki looks very much like a Donut. Paczki is fried in Oil, like a Donut. However, don’t mistake Paczki for a donut. Paczki are made from dough with richer, somewhat different ingredients, containing more Sugar and Eggs. Paczki also has a little Grain Alcohol, which keeps the Oil from penetrating deeply into the dough. This gives Paczki a fluffier composition. Properly made, Paczki is also larger and rounder than a donut. In the Middle Ages, Paczki was first filled with Pork Fat. It didn’t take long for bakeries and common folk in the Middle Ages to begin using sweet fillings, including Prunes, Apricot, Raspberry, Lemon or Custard. Over a few hundred years, many other sweet fillings were used. Today, there is even Gluten Free Paczki. The finished product is either glazed on the outside or dusted or rolled in Powdered Sugar.
Paczki is the plural form of the word. The singular form is “paczek”. If you ever see it spelled as “Paczkis”, it is incorrect!
Celebration and History
In the Middle Ages, it was popular for Christians to empty their cupboards of Lard, Sugar, Eggs, Fruit, and other sweets the week prior to Ash Wednesday. Beginning on Fat Thursday, they would have a feast on these leftovers, before the fasting season of Lent began. Paczki was one sweet way to use up these supplies. On this day, people did not eat just one Paczek but would eat several Paczki.
In Poland, Paczki Day has always traditionally been celebrated on Fat Thursday. As Polish pilgrims came to America, they brought Paczki and the tradition of Paczki Day with them. Somewhere along the way, for some unknown reason, Paczki Day began to be celebrated on Fat Tuesday.
If you’ve never had Paczki, today is your once-a-year chance to enjoy a Paczki. You’ll most likely need to visit a Polish bakery and stand in a cheerful line of patrons, waiting patiently for their chance to select among several or more fillings. You may find a few other stores that sell Paczki, but you’ll miss the pleasant experience at your local Polish bakery.
For the diet conscious – Not to put a damper on your enjoyment of this Holiday, but a single Paczek is loaded with Calorie and Carbs. Our study found a Paczki has 329-480 calories and 49-55 carbs. After consuming a Paczki, it might be best to head straight to the gym!
If you are going to participate in Paczki Day, make sure to pronounce it correctly. It sounds like “Punch-Kee”.
Paczki are properly consumed just one day of the year, on Paczki Day. To properly make Paczki, bakeries prepare them fresh on Paczki Day. Most bakeries follow this practice which results in long lines at the bakery. When the bakery runs out, they’re out until next year.
The largest Paczki Day celebration is held in Buffalo, NY., complete with a Parade.
Origin of Paczki Day:
We know a lot about Paczki and its origin. However, very little is known about the creation of Paczki Day.
We do know that Paczki Day in Poland started out in the Middle Ages and was celebrated on Fat Thursday. Fat Thursday probably became known as Paczki Day, as it sounds so much better than Fat Thursday.
It is a mystery why the United States celebrates Paczki Day on Fat Tuesday.
Other Polish Holidays:
Peace Corps Day– always held on March 1st.
On this day in 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 10924 establishing the Peace Corps. Then, on September 21, 1961, the U.S. Congress approved the Peace Corps Act.
Peace Corps Day commemorates the creation of this very important U.S. government run program,
The Peace Corps is a volunteer program which was established to send an “army” of civilian volunteers to underdeveloped Countries, assisting in a wide variety of ways. The official mission of the Peace Corps is to provide Social and Economic development abroad through technical assistance, while promoting mutual understanding between Americans and populations served. Volunteers are American citizens, often college graduates straight out of school. The volunteers undergo 3 months of training, followed by a two-year service assignment in practically any area of the World where they are needed. Volunteers can request and extension of their assignment.
Use Peace Corp Day to recognize the importance of the Peace Corps program, and to show appreciation to the volunteers. Over 235,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps and served in over 140 countries.
History and Origin of Peace Corps Day
The creation and purpose of the Peace Corps is well documented.
However, we do not know who established Peace Corps Day, or when it was first celebrated.
Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day– always March 1st.
Today is a sticky day which is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day saluting America’s favorite sandwich spread. What kid didn’t grow up loving a PB&J sandwich?
Did you know Smooth Peanut Butter is by far the most popular. Crunchy Peanut Butter is also on the market and is enjoyed by many. Peanut Butter is not limited to a Peanut Butter and Jelly or PB&J Sandwich. Peanut Butter is popular on Crackers, and Celery and in recipes.
Peanut Butter is 90% or more Peanuts. While Peanut Butter has no artificial preservatives, an opened jar of Peanut Butter is stored on a shelf at room temperature.
Celebrate today with Peanut Butter. If you can, make your own Peanut Butter which is a fun project the kids will enjoy doing with you.
Note: If you don’t get enough Peanut Butter today, April 2and is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. and September 13th is National Peanut Day.
Plan a Solo Vacation Day– always held on March 1st.
If you don’t have plans for a vacation yet this year or no companion to travel with, no problem. There is a bold and exciting adventure awaiting you. All you need to do is plan the adventure and start that immediately, because today is Plan a Solo Vacation Day.
A solo vacation may not be for everyone but if you are truly adventuresome, a solo vacation is perfect for you. The whole world is at your doorstep, to explore as you see fit. You can get away from it all, and away from everyone. The plan is all yours, doing just what you want to do. You can eat wherever and whenever you want. You can socialize with the people you meet, or you can step away from society for a while and keep to yourself.
Travel Tips:
You should always be conscious of your surrounding and the areas you plan to visit. Be even more cautious, when travelling alone.
You will find planning a solo vacation is fun and exciting, however, to make your plan complete, you must execute your plan.
Most importantly have a safe and happy adventure!
History and Origin of Plan a Solo Vacation Day
This holiday appears to have begun around 2018.
The creator and his or her reasons why they created this Holiday, is a mystery which seems odd that the creator promotes a bold and exciting adventure yet was not adventuresome enough to document the Holiday for the rest of us to understand and enjoy this Holiday! I don’t know about you, but that won’t stop me from planning and a vacation all by myself.
We suspect that someone in the travel industry created this Holiday.
We also suspect this Holiday was established on March 1st, as it often takes weeks and months, to put vacation plans in place. Because we have to schedule time off from work, book our flight and find hotel rooms.
Related Days:
World Compliment Day– always on March 1st.
You are an intelligent person who seeks to broaden your knowledge and appreciates the value of learning and expanding your mind.
How’s that for an honest, positive, and sincere compliment!? If you reflect on that for a moment, you will realize that actually describes you!
According to Hans Poortvliet of the Netherlands who created this Holiday, World Compliment Day addresses the basic human need for recognition and appreciation. This is a non-commercial Holiday that simply makes people happy and feel good about themselves. Benefits of giving honest and sincere compliments goes to both the giver and receiver of the compliment.
Participating in this Holiday is simple and easy. As you meet people today, think about them and who they are. Give them a compliment that is positive, and sincere. Do it with a smile then, watch the smile appear on their face. Compliments can be oral or written but they should be given face to face, in person.
The benefits of compliments are many:
- Compliments simply makes people happy.
- Compliments increases self-esteem and self-worth
- Given on the job, compliments increase productivity.
- Compliments increases pride.
- Compliments creates mutual well-being.
- Compliments given come back in numerous ways.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
