Because this section is primarily a graphic design in the print version, it is not available here. You can see the "Did You Know?" page for this month by looking in the print edition of GLEANER or by clicking on the PDF version. To get to the PDF version, click on the underlined MONTH above. You'll see a thumbnail of the cover in the lower right corner. Click on "Download PDF magazine" too open the file. Be patient—there are many pages to load, so it takes quite some time to open the whole file.
March begins on the same day of the week as November and February in common years. In leap years, it ends on the same day of the week as November.
March is National Women's History Month, which traces its origins to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions. In 1981, Congress voted to set aside the second week in March for National Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month.
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau
How are Women Doing Today?
In 2006:
57%
Percentage of women who participated in gardening at least once, compared with 37 percent of men.
32%
Percentage of women who report they have done charity work, versus 26 percent of men.
55%
Percentage of women who reported reading literature, compared with 38 percent of men.
SOURCE: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2007
17%
Percentage of married couples in which the wife earned at least $5,000 more than the husband in 2005.
22%
Percentage of married couples in which the wife has more education than the husband.
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau
37%
Percentage of women 16 or older who work in management, professional and related occupations, compared with 31 percent of men.
SOURCE: 2005 American Community Survey
March Firsts
Match the following March beginnings with their year of origin. (One year is used twice.)
Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for his telephone.
Eli Whitney received a patent for his cotton gin.
Nathaniel Briggs of New Hampshire patented the washing machine.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" was adopted as the national anthem of the United States.
Schick, Inc. marketed the first electric razor.
a. 1793
b. 1797
c. 1931
d. 1876
Answers: 1-d; 2-a; 3-b; 4-c; 5-c
SOURCE: Aboutfamouspeople.com
Religion and Politics
70% of Americans say it's important to them that their president have strong religious beliefs.
40% of Americans report attending church on a weekly basis.
37% of Americans say it's improper for journalists to ask candidates how religion affects their decision-making.
40% of Americans feel uncomfortable when a politician talks publicly about their faith.
SOURCE: Pew Research Center
