Today is: Ides of March
The Roman calendar, which dates back to 753 BCE, had three fixed points throughout the month: Nones, Ides and Kalends. Ides took place around the midpoint of each month, occurring on the 13th or 15th. In March it took place on the 15th.
The Ides of March is most remembered as being the anniversary of the day Julius Caesar was assassinated, in 44 BCE. The day did, however, have some significance before this infamous event. It had long been a day of religious observances. The Ides of each month was sacred to Jupiter, Rome's supreme deity. Flamen Dialis, Jupiter's high priest, would traditionally lead an "Ides sheep" along the streets of Rome before it was sacrificed. The first part of March consisted of new year's celebrations, as March was the first month of the Roman calendar.
Source: Checkiday.com
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Today is: Ides of March
