March 27 – NATIONAL SPANISH PAELLA DAY – NATIONAL JOE DAY – EASTER

                                 NATIONAL SPANISH PAELLA DAY

March 27th is the annual observance of National Spanish Paella Day.  A rice dish from Spain, paella has become very popular and is known around the world.  It originated in it’s modern form in the mid-19th century in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain.
At lunchtime, workers in the fields would make the rice dish in a flat pan over a fire. They mixed in whatever they could find – such as rabbits, snails and vegetables.  Later, for special occasions, chicken was added.   Paella has spread to every region of Spain, as well as worldwide, using almost any type of ingredient that goes well with rice.

There are many versions of recipes of paella.  Key ingredients are saffron and olive oil. Saffron is an essential spice that also turns the rice a nice golden color.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Try one of these Spanish Paella recipes:
Vegetarian PaellaClassic Seafood PaellaEasy Paella
Use #SpanishPaellaDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the origin and the creator of National Spanish Paella Day.
 

NATIONAL JOE DAY

Enjoy a cup of “joe” with all of your friends named Joe, Jo, Joette, Joey, Joseph, Josephine, Johanna, Joann, Jodie or any variant of the name Joe every year on March 27th, National Joe Day.
According to the Social Security Administration, the name Joseph was ranked No. 6 from 1893 to 1899 behind John, William, James, George, and Charles.  In 1910, it moved to No. 5.  From 1911 to 2005 it was ranked No. 12 or lower.
HOW TO OBSERVE
During our research, we found this day has a few different versions as to how it is celebrated.
1.  Honor all people with the name “Joe”.
2.  For the day, change your name to a name of your choice.
3.  Everyone change their name to “Joe” for the day.  Women and girls may use  “Josephine” or “Jodie”.
Use #NationalJoeDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the origin and the creator of National Joe Day. 
 

EASTER

Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. Considered Christianity’s most important holy day, it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Depending on which calendar a church follows, some will celebrate Easter earlier than others.
Leading up to Easter Sunday is an entire season of Easter observances beginning with Ash Wednesday, the official beginning of Lent. Lent is a time of fasting and reflection which represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness for 40 days. Many know this as a time when Christians give something up for Lent.
Then during Holy Week, the Sunday before Easter is known as Palm Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey just 5 days before He was crucified. Maundy Thursday remembers Jesus’s last supper, Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion, Holy Saturday is the time span between the crucifixion and the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
HOW TO OBSERVE
If you choose, you can participate in any number of church services.  Dye eggs with children and have an Easter egg hunt.  Local communities hold annual Easter egg hunts as well, so check your local social media, newspapers and community listings for dates and times.  Use #Easter to share on social media.