Evening Star Newspaper, March 1, 1933, Page 10

MARCH GETS NAME FROM GOD OF WAR Remained First Month in Roman Year Until Julian Calendar Was Formed. BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT. March, first month in the ancient Roman calendar and third in the mod- ern system of reckoning, takes its name from that of the turbulent Mars, god of war, patron of conflict. ‘The poet Ovid observed that the pre- thistoric people of Italy had a calendar division known by the same name, but @ general tradition tells that the month was one of those arranged, about 738 B.C., by Romulus, founder of the Roman community. The war deity was sup- posed to be the father of that pioneer. But the title “March” was unknown to the Latins. Their word for the month was “Martius,” signifying “Mars’ month™ or “the month of Mars.” The military connotation developed over a long pe- riod of years. Originally Mars was a patron of agriculture, invoked to bless the fields and their fruits, and to guard the family, the cattle and the poultry of farmers. He was relied upon to fend off sickness, bad weather and “all else that did harm.” His martial character was the result of a process of evolution, be- ginning, perhaps, with his election as protector of the Roman state. He| seems to have become a soldier god in response to a popular demand on the part of the Roman people. Eventually he was identified with the Greek god. Ares, with whom previously he had had no connection. Ares was the war deity of the Grecian nations. Aid of Mars Invoked. Among the Latins the cult of Mars | j prospered with the victories of Roman arms. “His symbols were the ravenous wolf, the prophetic and warlike wood- pecker and the lance. When war broke out, the general sglemnly invoked his aid by smiting his holy lance and the holy shields with the cry, ‘Mars, awake!” Many sacrifices were also offered to him during the campaign and before battle, and in his name military honors were ~onferred. The Field of Mar: Martius, was dedicated to him ratron god of warlike exercises. ests were held in his name in Febru- -ry, March and October. His worship vas directed by a special priest, the ‘eamen Martialis, and the College of the | alii. The Emperor Augustus caused um to be honored as Mars Ultor, the | venger of Caesar. A beautiful temple 'as n ised to him in the Forum Au- B.C. There statues of him and | f Venus as the two divine ancestors of he Julian family, were set upr Numa, second King of Rome and a “elebrated reformer, introduced the | aonths of January and February, but Aarch remained the first month in | ome quarters until the promulgation | { the Julian calendar, 46 BC. In- | eed, it continued to be the beginning of | he legal year in England until 1752, farch 25 being New Year day. In ‘rance also it was counted the first 10onth until 1564, when, by an edict of ling Charles IX, January was decreed. co}l;gx;d followed the example of France 1 3 ‘The Anglo-Saxons called March Hlyd- -10nath, “loud or stormy menth,” or encten monath, “lengthening month,” 2 allusion to the fact that the days | hen rapidly became longer. Borrowed From April. ‘There is an old saying, common in “oth England and Scotland, represent- 2g March as borrowing three days rom April, the last three days of March “borrowed” days. In “The Complaynt of Scotland” is the rhyme: ‘The first it shall be wind and weet; ‘The next it shall be snaw and sleet; ‘The third it shall be sic a freeze Shall gar the birds stick to the trees. A popular proverb, widely used in Great Bnmn refers to certain persons as being “mad as March hares.” and for this axiom the naive explanation is of- fered that “hares in March are very wild.” In any case, the phrase implies “being as mad as it is possible to be.” The vernal equinox, occurring about March 21 to 25, has been associated with many folk ideas and customs. The Jews habitually dated their sacred year from that time, their civil year from me autumnal equinox in September. the French Revolutionary calendar the month called Germinal began March 21. ‘The Ides of March, made famous by Shakespeare in his dramatic repre- sentation of the assassination of Julius Caesar, corresponded with March 15. | Among modern Greeks March 25, in their calendar, April 6 in ours, is cele- brated as Independence day. It was on that date in 1821 that the Greek revo- lutionaries rose against Turkish control. The Russian revolution of 1917 began on March 12. March 1 is St. David's day; March 17, St. Patrick's. { March Events. Napoleon returned from Elba March 1, 1814. The first United States Con- gress met March 4, 1789. The Boston massacre occurred March 5, 1770, The battle between the Merrimac and the Monitor took place March 9, 1862. Bagdad was captured March 11, 1917. The first blood was shed in the Revo- lutionary War, Westminster, Vt., March 13, 1775. Standard time was estab- lished in the United States March 13, 1884. Patent for the cotton gin was issued to Eli Whitney March 14, 1794. The British evacuated Boston March 17, 1776. The Colonial stamp act was passed by the British Parliament March 22, 1765. The Crimean War began March 28, 1854. Russia agreed to cede Alaska to the United States March 30, 1867. Commodore Perry made the “open door” treaty with Japan March 31, 1854. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, poet, was born March 6, 1809; Andrew Jackson, March 15, 1767; James Madison, March 6, 1751; Grover Cleveland, March 18, 1837; Sir Richard Burton, explorer and translator, March 19, 1821, and John ‘Tyler, March 29, 1790. John Wesley, Methodist, died March 2, 1791; J. R. Green, historian, March 7, 1883; William III, March 8 1702 Millard Fillmore, March 8, 187 liam Howard Taft, March 8, 1930; Karl Marx, Socialist, March 13, 1883; Sir Isaac Newton, March 20, 1727; Marshal Foch, March 20, 1929; Queen Elizabeth, March 24, 1603; Sarah Bemhardt March 26, 1923, and Arnold Bennett, novelist, March 27, 1931. Gustavus III was assassinated March 16, 1792, and Archbishop Thomas Cran- flgrs reformer, was burned March 21, i American engines are used on 24 planes of the joint German-Soviet air- | line between Berlin and Moscow. RENOVIZE* Your Laundry Room If your old laundry tubs are porous or “gummy” and beyond repair, your laundry will not be as clean as it should be. A new set of KOHLER of KOHLER laundry tubs will not only add beauty, but sanitation to your home. During This Campalen, We Offer New Low Prices on “Schafer Quality Materials” E. G. SCHAFER Co.||| 4100 Georgia Ave. Telephone ADams 0145 *“Renovize Washington” Campaion . E. DURNO HEADS WHITE HOUSE SCRIBES International News Service Rep- resentative Is Elected STAR, WASHINGTON, International Ne': Service was elected president. Other officers elected were viee pmident Albert L. Warner, New York Herald Tribune; secretary-tras- urer, G. L. Tarry, Wall Street Journal; Executive Committee, William Perry Flythe‘ Universal Serice, and John S et o ok H ‘arlisle ron, Herald, and Jnhn R:qul YB{I:‘. ‘Wash- ington Evening St ‘The newly elemd officers will be in- At the annual election of the|ducted into office duing White House Correspondents’ ciation, THE JULIUS Asso- | banquet of the association, which will E. Durno of the be held in the main ballroom of the White House, George E. Durno of the ‘Willard Hotel March 11, It will be Deferred Payments if youwish! D. C., WEDNESDAY, present tion, will ps eacmuunqmmdwm for . | conduct the inaugural ceremonies the newly elected officers, after which he will turn the gavel over to Mr. Durno. Afterward Mr. Mallon will become a member of the Executive Committee. Following the election, President lnllnn -nno\meedhthe 100 Folli Herald; l.nvlht.lms. FURNITURE COMPANY QUALITY Through and Through , and finance, Tarry. U. S. REFORMS ADVOCATED BY ARCHBISHOP CURLEY Need for Change in Economic Sys- tem BStressed at Anniversary of Sodality Union Here. “We need Most Rev. Michael J. Curley, Arch-|pe said, bishop of Baltimore, was the principal A quality group for $ president of the soclety, who outlined its work; Rev. John V. Buckley, spirit~ ual director, and Rev. Gregory Kiehne, 8. J., director.of St, Michael’s School at Ridge, Md. Archbishop Curley offered the . prayer. The Sodality Union Chorus presented & musical program, Cost of Christmas Cards, ‘The pleasure given to reciplents the worldsover by the mailing of Christmas greeting cards is shared to s very large extent by the manufacturers who did a Others who spoke on the anniversary 'total business last year of $27,500,000. 5-Stone Diamond Wedding Ring A smart-looking diamond s& wedding band of mod- ern design. Cut diamonds set in 18-kt. solid white gold. The price is ridiculously low, and our special terms make it $14.95 Pay 50c Weekly easy to buy. $34.50 Mahogany Veneer Governor Winthrop Secretary Attractive de- sign; Governor Win throp Secretary with serpentine n'om and ball claw feet shelves and writing space Ample book A most attractive design of burl walnut beautifully high-lighted and finished. The suite includes a large dresser, chest, 5-drawer vanity, beautiful poster bed. Full dustproof con- struetion with center drawer guides. $5 Delivers This Suite eing called the * Selinger’s Annual RUMMAGE SALE Watches—Diamonds—Jewelry Silverware—Clocks—Toiletware The Julius Lansburgh Rayon Damask ONE DAY ONLY Furniture Co. Boudoir Chair i { ; Spring seat_and 6 9 5 Once a year—after stock-taking—we hold these one-day Rummage back, covered in Sales to effect a quick clearance of all the odd lots and broken lines, % % rayon damask offering them at half price and less. with attractive valance. Convenient Terms No Interest Charges All Sales Cash—All Sales Final WATCHES Ladies’ 14-kt. Solid Gold Elgin Watches. Regul-rly 31 7 .50 $35.00. Sale price.. Lady’s 17-Jewel White Gold Filled Illinois Watch and Metal Bracelet. Regular § 00 price, $40.00. Sale price 20 Lady’s 15-Jewel Bulova Watch. $37.50 regularly. Sale Sl 5.(!) Over 25 different styles— Men's and Ladiess GRUEN Watches. 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