March 2021 Cultural Events

1^st

1975:

Technical Sergeant Leonard P. Matlovich, a Vietnam Veteran and a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, revealed his sexual orientation to his commanding officer. He was forcibly discharged from the Air Force six months later. In 1980, the Court of Appeals ruled that the dismissal was improper. Matlovich was awarded his back pay and a retroactive promotion.

2^nd

1982: Wisconsin is the first state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.

4^th

1917: Jeanette Rankin (R-MT) took her seat as the first female member of Congress.

4^th

1933: Frances Perkins became United States Secretary of Labor, making her the first female member of the United States Cabinet.

12^th

1993: Janet Reno was sworn in as the first female attorney general of the United States

17^th

1910: Camp Fire Girls was established as the first interracial, non-sectarian American organization for girls.

21^st

United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

This day is observed annually on the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid in 1960. While many racist laws and practices have been abolished, many individual, communities, and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings. Each year, the UN focuses the day on a different UN initiative to reduce racism.

23^rd

2018: The Trump administration announces a new policy that bans most transgender people from serving in military. After several court battles, the Supreme Court allows the ban to go into effect in January 2019.

27^th

Passover

This Jewish holiday begins at sundown on March 27 and ends Sunday evening, April 4. This holiday commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt. It also celebrates their freedom from slavery. The main ritual of Passover is the seder, which is a festive meal and re-telling of the Exodus through stories and foods.

28^th

Holi

This is the Hindu celebration of the winter harvest, and the coming of spring. It is sometimes called the festival of love, where people come together to forget all resentments toward one another. One of the most recognizable aspects of Holi is celebrating with vibrant colors, which brings positivity to life.

31^st

International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV)

This day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender and gender non-conforming people. It is also focused on bringing awareness to the work that still needs to be done to save trans lives. It has a goal to fight cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community.