March 2010

March:
National Women's History Month
This was established by congressional proclamation in 1987 to draw attention to and rectify the limited focus on women in historical studies.  The theme for 2008 is 'Visionary Female Artists'.  

March 2, 1917:
Citizenship to Puerto Ricans
On this date, the United States Congress passed the Jones Act, which conferred U.S. citizenship on Puerto Ricans and gave them the right to elect representatives to both houses of the territorial legislature.   

March 10, 1903:
Birthdate of politician and playwright Claire Boothe Luce (1903-1987), who was born in New York City. She served in the House of Representatives from 1943 to 1947 and then became the first woman appointed as U.S. ambassador to a major country (Italy).

March 17, 1912:
Birthdate of Bayard Rustin, gay African-American civil rights activist and pacifist
Rustin worked from 1941 to 1953 for the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a group seeking peaceful solutions to world problems; served as executive director of the War Resisters League from 1953 to 1955; and worked for the next five years with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was also one of the chief organizers of the 1963 March on Washington.   

March 22, 1972:
The Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by the U.S. Senate and then sent to the states for ratification. The ERA, as it became known, prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender, stating, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex," and that "the Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of This article." 

March 29 - April 5:
Passover, Jewish holiday
In 2010, this holiday begins at sundown on March 29 and is observed for eight days.  It celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.  During the eight days, Jews observing the holiday abstain from eating any foods containing leavening components, such as bread, cake and donuts.  As a substitute, Jews eat unleavened bread called matzoh.  Before arranging any event involving food, check to see if invitees are following a special Passover diet, particularly whether they are refraining from eating any bread or other baked goods.