Holidays on this day
- Spring solstice
- World Poetry Day
- International Puppeteer Day
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- World Down Syndrome Day
- International Day of Forests
- International Color Day
- World Timber Day
- International Day of Freedom of Education
- Rooftop Song Day
- Flavor Day
- Harmony Day
- Navigators' Day
- French Bread Day
- Single Parents Day
- Etiquette Day
Significant events in history
630 The great Christian shrine, the Life-Giving Cross, has been returned to Jerusalem.
1666 Canada's first census was conducted.
1963 Alcatraz prison is closed.
1965 The American automatic interplanetary station Ranger 9 was launched towards the Moon.
Persons
On March 21, 1768, French mathematician and physicist Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier was born.
On March 21, 1813, Russian medievalist historian Timofey Granovsky was born.
On March 21, 1825, Russian military leader, rear admiral, aviation pioneer Alexander Mozhaisky was born.
Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky was born on March 21, 1839.
On March 21, 1889, Russian and Soviet artist, singer and composer Alexander Vertinsky was born.
On March 21, 1895, Soviet pop artist and singer, film actor, People's Artist of the USSR Leonid Utesov was born.
On March 21, 1950, Soviet and Russian statesman, diplomat, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov was born.
Folk calendar
Spring solstice, Willow-bearer
Dates associated with the solar cycle were celebrated as holidays by many peoples. The day of the vernal equinox, which falls on March 20 or 21 according to the new style, was no exception. It was believed that it was from this moment that the real spring began.
In Rus' they said that at the spring solstice, messengers of Paradise – larks – fly in, bringing warmth with them. “The sun will come to our windows,” people were waiting for this day.
Also on the spring equinox was the day of the willow – by this date it should have already blossomed: “It’s time for the willow to turn silver.” Willow branches were brought into the house: it was believed that it expels all heaviness from the house – domestic problems, quarrels, illnesses. At the same time, very unpleasant superstitions are associated with this tree. They said, for example: “Whoever plants a willow prepares a spade for himself,” this meant that a person would die when a shovel could be hewn out of a tree.
However, this belief did not prevent the use of willow for medicinal purposes. Before flowering, peasants harvested the bark and dried it in attics with good ventilation. Later, tea was prepared from it with the addition of anise, linden blossom and raspberries. A decoction of the bark was used to rinse the mouth for stomatitis and the throat for sore throat. Its powder was often used as a hemostatic agent. Also, a decoction of willow bark and oak bark was added to the bath for pain in the legs.
On this day they noticed: if the clouds float across the sky quickly and high, the weather will be good. They also said that if there is a snowstorm and the snow falls on the fields in waves, this means a good harvest of bread and vegetables.
Name day on this day
Afanasy, Vladimir, Ivan.
Source: Calend.ru.
