Yes, March 3 is International Ear Care Day. It’s also Bonza Bottler Day—the day of the month when the number of the day is the same as the number of the month—which is as good an excuse for a party as any. But it is so much more than these! March is rife with awareness and celebration, and these are golden opportunities for writers. Celebrations make excellent background for conflict, humor, intrigue, and the revelation of character.

American Red Cross Month, to make people aware of the activities and programs of approximately 600 offices nationwide.

Celebrate Your Name Week (first full week in March), to honor your name and make sure it is a respected part of your personhood.

Colic Awareness Month, to educate parents on safer soothing techniques. Colic is defined as an otherwise healthy baby crying for three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, for three or more weeks in a row.

Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month, focusing on the need for early diagnosis, education, and treatment.

Credit Education Month, designed to remind people of the need to develop skills needed to manage their finances efficiently and effectively.

Employee Spirit Month urges employers to do things to raise the spirits of their employees. Duh! Apparently holiday office parties aren’t enough.

Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering Month is exactly what it sounds like, focusing on middle- and high-school age girls.

Humorists Are Artists Month (HAAM) is, basically, asking people to appreciate the role of humor in their lives.

International Ideas Month, to encourage people to develop the skills needed to communicate their ideas for consideration and/or action.

International Listening Awareness Month, to promote the study, development, and teaching of effective listening in all settings.

International Mirth Month encourages more mirthful moments to help people deal with not-so-funny stuff.

Irish-American Heritage Month is self-explanatory.

Mad For Plaid Month: We think of plaid as originating in the British Isles, but it was really in Central Europe in the sixth century BCE. Consider more than Black Watch. Go for madras, gingham, check, as well as tartan.

Malignant Hypothermia Awareness and Training Month: Malignant hypothermia is is a reaction to commonly used volatile gaseous anesthesia, and untreated can kill a person within minutes.

Music in Our Schools Month to increase public awareness and support of music as part of a balanced curriculum.

National Caffeine Awareness Month is intended to reduce dependence on caffeine.

National Cheerleading Week (1-7)—exactly what the name says.

National Clean Up Your IRS Act Month is to focus on resolving problems with the IRS.

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month—exactly what the name says.

National Craft Month lauds the fun and creativity of crafts and hobbies.

National Eye Donor Month: You can figure this one out! Coincides with Save Your Vision Month and Workplace Eye Wellness Month.

National Frozen Food Month touts convenience, quality, and nutrition.

National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month: The aim is compassion as well as awareness.

National Nutrition Month—as if anyone doesn’t know about the importance of nutrition for good or ill!

National Peanut Month promotes peanuts in all their glory, from in the shell to pie. (I have an excellent recipe for peanut pie from The Peanut Cookbook.)

National Procrastination Week (1-7) celebrates the benefits of procrastination—but might also interfere with other activities of the month!

National Umbrella Month honors one of the most versatile and underrated inventions of all time.

National Women’s History Month celebrating women’s contributions and achievements that are too often overlooked or ignored.

National Write A Letter of Appreciation Week (1-7), though I suppose in this day and age, an email of appreciation is more likely.

Optimism Month: Research documents that optimists have better health, greater prosperity, and are happier than pessimists.

Play-The-Recorder Month brings public performances in places such as libraries, bookstores, museums, and shopping malls. You might even find a workshop on playing the recorder.

Poison Prevention Awareness Month is for the prevention of accidental poisoning.

Professional Pet Sitters Week (first full week in March): Yes, people really do make a living this way. Imagine the opportunities for everything, from romance to murder!

Read an E-Book Week: Self explanatory. Why not try Different Drummer?

Return the Borrowed Books Week: Think personal loans as well as libraries.

Sing With Your Child Month promotes families singing, dancing, and making music together.

Social Work Month celebrates the services social workers provide to vulnerable populations.

Telecommuter Appreciation Week focuses on the benefits to workers, families, employers, and society.

Vascular Anomalies Awareness Month includes hemangioma, malformations, and tumors. Who knew?

Youth Art Month promoting the value and importance of art and art education for children and youths.

Should you accept the challenge of writing a March scene, story, or poem based on something in this list, you can find out more about any or all of them online. Cheers!