Bang-Clang Day is observed on March 9 every year to commemorate the Battle of Hampton Roads that took place during the Civil War in 1862. The battle is a historic one as it was the first to be fought between two ironclad ships — you can probably figure out where the day gets its name from. The Confederacy’s CSS Virginia and the Union’s USS Monitor faced off in a two-day long battle that signaled the arrival of a new era of naval warfare. This Bang-Clang Day, take a minute to marvel at this feat of engineering that changed the game for navies around the world.
Edward Dickinson Baker Day
Edward Dickinson Baker Day on February 24 every year marks the annual celebration of Oregon’s Civil War hero, lawyer, and military leader — Edward D. Baker. It might not be a public holiday, but this day is an important event to commemorate this famous leader, who is just as revered for his oratory skills as he is known for his decades-long friendship with Abraham Lincoln. February 24 is specially chosen because Baker was born on the same day in 1811.
Language Day
International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21. The first observance was organized by UNESCO as a celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity. There are over 7,000 languages spoken in the world — this is a large number considering that some languages are better documented and more spoken than others. Many ethnic languages, some of which are still spoken by small groups today, will most likely be extinct in a few decades. This is why International Mother Language Day is so important, as it is part of a larger initiative to revive many communities’ linguistic heritage.