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March 2026 calendar: St. Patrick's Day, daylight saving time, more

February 28, 2026
March 2026 calendar: St. Patrick's Day, daylight saving time, more

March is packed with events, holidays, national days and celebrations.

USA TODAY

In March, we will see a total lunar eclipse, wave goodbye to winter when the Spring Equinox starts and gear up for daylight saving time. In addition, many will partake in St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

March is also Women's History Month and National Reading Month.

Here's what else is in store for the month.

When do we spring forward?Get ready for daylight saving time.

Are there any federal holidays in March 2026?

No. There are no federal holidays in March.

In total, 2026 has 11 federal holidays across 11 days, according to theOffice of Personnel Management. The next one, Memorial Day, won't be until Monday, May 25.

César Chávez Day

Although there are no federal holidays in March, César Chávez Day is a federal commemorative holiday and a state holiday.

In 2026, the day falls on Tuesday, March 31.

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The holiday honors the life of Chávez, a civil rights and labor movement activist, according to the White House. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31, Chávez's birthday, to be afederal commemorative holiday.

The day is considered a state holiday, commemorative holiday or state observance in the following states, according toOffice Holidays:

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Michigan

  • Michigan

  • New Mexico

  • Nevada

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • Washington

  • Wisconsin

What religious holidays are in March 2026?

There are multiple cultural and religious holidays in March, including:

  • Holi - Wednesday, March 4

  • Hola Mohalla - Wednesday, March 4 to Friday, March 6

  • Eid al-Fitr - Thursday, March 19 or Friday, March 20, depending on when the moon is spotted, according to Islamic Relief Worldwide.

  • Ostara - Friday, March 20 to Monday, March 23

  • Nowruz - Saturday, March 21

  • Mahavir Jayanti - Tuesday, March 31

When does daylight saving time start?

In 2026, daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. local time, and clocks will spring forward an hour.

What space events are happening in March 2026?

There will also be a total lunar eclipse on March 3, according toNASA. The following celestial events will happen throughout the month:

  • Full moon/blood moon - Tuesday, March 3

  • New moon - Thursday, March 19

  • Spring Equinox - Friday, March 20

Other notable dates in March 2026

Here are more celebrations, commemorations, and events coming up:

  • International Women's Day - Sunday, March 8

  • March Madness begins - Selection Sunday is March 15 for men's and women's basketball. Tournaments for men's basketball start on Tuesday, March 17, and for women's basketball on Wednesday, March 18.

  • St. Patrick's Day - Tuesday, March 17

  • International Transgender Day of Visibility - Tuesday, March 31

National days in March 2026

Here are more celebrations, commemorations and events coming up:

  • National Read Across America Day - Monday, March 2

  • Mario Day - Tuesday, March 10

  • National Plant a Flower Day - Thursday, March 12

  • National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day - Friday, March 13

  • National Pi Day - Saturday, March 14

  • National Goof Off Day - Sunday, March 22

  • Manatee Appreciation Day - Wednesday, March 25

Contributing:Meghan L. Hall,John Leuzzi; USA TODAY Network

Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March 2026 calendar includes St. Patrick's Day, other celebrations

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A Supreme Court case over whether marijuana users can own guns is creating unusual alliances

February 28, 2026
A Supreme Court case over whether marijuana users can own guns is creating unusual alliances

WASHINGTON (AP) — Gun rights and cannabis legalization are usually on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but both movements have brought about seismic shifts in the United States in recent decades.

Associated Press

Now those forces are lining up for a rare overlap in acase coming before the Supreme Courton Monday, and it is not the only unusual alliance.

The Republican Trump administration will be defending a firearm restriction, with backing from gun-control groups typically more aligned with Democrats.

On the other side is a pairing of the National Rifle Association and the American Civil Liberties Union.

At stake is a federal law that bars people who regularly use marijuana from legally owning guns. It is an issue that has divided lower courts since a landmark 2022Supreme Court decisionexpanded gun rights.

Cecillia Wang, legal director at the ACLU, said the law violates the Second Amendment and is unconstitutionally vague about what it means to be a drug user.

"We're deeply concerned with the potential of this statute to basically give federal prosecutors a blank check," she said. "Millions of Americans use marijuana and there is no way for them to know based on words of this statute whether they could be charged or convicted of this crime because they own a firearm."

Cannabis is legal for medicinal use in most states and for recreational use in about half the country.

But the law also applies more widely against all illegal substances, meaning the case could allow broader legal gun use by other drug users. The group Everytown for Gun Safety said the law meets theSupreme Court'srequirement that gun laws must have a strong grounding in the nation's history and tradition.

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"Restricting firearm use by illegal drug users is 'as old as legislative recognition of the drug problem itself,'" attorneys wrote.

Cannabis remains illegal on a federal level, though President Donald Trump hassigned an orderto fast-track its reclassification as a less dangerous drug.

His Justice Department is also asking the justices to revive a criminal case against Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas man who was charged with a felony because he had a gun in his house and acknowledged smoking marijuana every other day. FBI agents also found a small amount of cocaine when they searched his home as part of a broader investigation, but the gun charge was the only one filed against him.

The conservative-leaning 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the case, finding that only people who are intoxicated while armed can be charged with a crime.

The administration has arguedin favorof gun rights in other cases, but government lawyers say this law is a justifiable restriction. "Habitual illegal drug users with firearms present unique dangers to society — especially because they pose a grave risk of armed, hostile encounters with police officers while impaired," they wrote in court documents. The law fits within the nation's history of restrictions on people who were frequently drunk, they argued.

While the conservative-majority Supreme Court has expanded gun rights, it also has upheld a federal lawdisarming peoplewho are subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The Department of Justice argues that drug users are similarly risky. The law it is asking the court to uphold was also used in the case of Hunter Biden, who was convicted of buying a gun when he was addicted to cocaine.

But the NRA and other gun-rights groups, typically aligned with the GOP, are arrayed against the administration in Hemani's case.

"Americans have traditionally chosen which substances are acceptable for responsible recreational use, and the fundamental right to keep and bear arms was never denied to people who occasionally partook in such drugs — unless they were carrying arms while actively intoxicated," lawyers for the Second Amendment Foundation wrote in court documents.

The cannabis group NORML agrees, saying one of the fastest-growing groups of users are baby boomers trying products such as marijuana gummies to relieve arthritis and sleep problems.

"It's laughable to think that by outlawing cannabis users possessing firearms you'll minimize the problem with gun violence," said Joe A. Bondy, chair of the board of directors for NORML, one of the country's oldest and largest groups advocating for the legalization of marijuana.

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Carson Beck NFL draft projection: Where Miami QB ranks on draft boards

February 28, 2026
Carson Beck NFL draft projection: Where Miami QB ranks on draft boards

If you've ever wondered what can change in a year, look no further thanCarson Beck.

USA TODAY Sports

Entering the 2024 season, the then-Georgia Bulldogquarterback was projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and was in consideration for the top-5. Just one season later, that wait is expected to be much longer before theMiami Hurricanehears his name called.

It represents a significant drop in Beck's draft stock, especially since the quarterback class in the 2026 NFL Draft didn't live up to expectations.Fernando Mendozastands alone at the top, with the battle for the second and third-best quarterback being wide open.

Even with that reality, Beck has failed to enter that conversation, according to some experts.

So what happened to the soon-to-be former Hurricane? Here's a look at Beck's NFL draft projection, what caused his stock to crash, as well as some strengths and weaknesses with his game.

1. New York Jets - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana <p style=2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=6. Cleveland Browns – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=7. Washington Commanders – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=17. Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=18. Minnesota Vikings – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo <p style=21. Pittsburgh Steelers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson 26. Buffalo Bills – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.) <p style=27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 28. Houston Texans – Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech <p style=29. Los Angeles Rams – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: First-round projection with order set after Super Bowl

Carson Beck NFL draft projection

Beck projects as a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to USA TODAY Sports' Ayrton Ostly.NFL Mock Draft Databasecurrently has the Miami prospect with a fourth-round grade.

It represents a significant drop for the quarterback that previously figured to be a first-round pick, but inconsistency and turnovers certainly didn't help his cause either.

Beck opted to transfer to Miami and play for theHurricanesafter initially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. It came following surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow,

Unfortunately for Beck, his draft stock never recovered from the pre-2024 season hype. Like most quarterbacks, Beck's performance was largely dependent on his supporting cast. His step back in 2025 directly coincided with the loss ofBrock Bowers, who entered the NFL and was no longer able to carry the load on offense forGeorgia. All hope isn't lost, though.

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The quarterback finds himself with a classic case of supply and demand. With options far from plentiful, desperation could factor into the decision-making process for quarterback-needy teams. If someone feels strongly about Beck, that might be enough for him to be taken early than expected.

After a solid season at Miami that almost ended with a championship, Beck could rebound in a big way.

Carson Beck strengths

Size is one of those things you can't teach. Beck fits the prototypical mold of a quarterback, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at about 220 pounds. Of course, there is more to playing the position and Beck does perform better when in a timing-offense.

The Miami signal-caller has proven to be accurate and helped lead the Hurricanes to the national championship game with an offense that found more explosive plays as the season went along. That was thanks in large part to Beck getting the ball into the hands ofMalachi Toney, who was able to do the rest, similar to Bowers during his time at Georgia.

Beck is a quarterback that clearly trusts his playmakers and gets the ball to those players effectively.

Given the type of competition he faced in a conference like the SEC and then the road to the national championship with Miami, Beck is certainly battle-tested.

Carson Beck weaknesses

Turnovers have been a problem for Beck over the last two seasons, tossing 24 interceptions in 29 games. He has also faced questions surrounding his leadership abilities, something that remains important for the quarterback position.

His ability to deal with pressure has been an issue and without elite arm strength, it remains to be seen what the ceiling is beyond a potential backup or spot starter. As always, it will come down to Beck landing in the right spot with the right coaching staff. If that happens, anything is possible.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Carson Beck draft projection: When will NFL teams select Miami QB?

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Diego Pavia can join exclusive group of shortest players in NFL history

February 28, 2026
Diego Pavia can join exclusive group of shortest players in NFL history

Size matters in the NFL.

USA TODAY Sports

Height,arm length, wingspan, hand size and more headline the list of measurements taken ahead of the NFL draft. In some cases, being average isn't good enough and, in fact, it might be enough to send a prospect tumbling down the board.

While arm length is having a moment, height is still a key factor for teams looking to draft a quarterback.

More:Why the NFL world is up in arms over draft prospects' arm length

Being on the shorter side might make it hard to reach the top shelf at the grocery store or make certain cabinets in the kitchen useless, but those are easily fixed with a stool – something quarterbacks don't have the luxury of using during a game.

Look no further than Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia. While he starred on Saturdays for the Commodores, his ability to play on Sundays could come down to a measuring stick.

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Pavia will hope to hear his name called at the2026 NFL Draftin April, but his potential entrance into the NFL would also come with admission into an exclusive club. Here's a look at the shortest quarterbacks in NFL history.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana 2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State 3. Arizona Cardinals – Spencer Fano, OT Utah 4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.) 5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) <p style=7. Washington Commanders – David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Miami Dolphins – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=12. Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State <p style=15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. New York Jets – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=17. Detroit Lions – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson <p style=19. Carolina Panthers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana <p style=22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida <p style=26. Buffalo Bills – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah 28. Houston Texans – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson <p style=29. Los Angeles Rams – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=32. Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: First-round projection going into the scouting combine

Shortest QBs in NFL history

Pard Pearce is the shortest quarterback in NFL history, standing at 5-5. He was the quarterback for the Decatur Staleys, now known as theChicago Bears, from 1920 to 1922. Davey O'Brien, who played for thePhiladelphia Eaglesin 1939-1940, measured 5-7. He is also the smallest player to ever win the Heisman Trophy.

The honor of being the shortest quarterback in NFL history is often attributed to Eddie LaBaron, who was listed at 5-9 and played 11 seasons with Washington and the Dallas Cowboys from 1952 to 1963.

That list has gotten significantly smaller since the NFL merger – with 5-10 being the shortest height of any quarterback to play a game. Only four players have achieved that feat – Doug Flutie, Joe Hamilton, Kyler Murray and Bryce Young.

Interestingly, all four of them are the same height and two of them, Murray and Young, are active quarterbacks. Perhaps it's a sign that the league cares less about height than it used to, but the odds still aren't in favor of the vertically challenged when it comes to playing quarterback in the NFL.

How tall is Diego Pavia?

Pavia was officially listed by Vanderbilt at 6-0, butmeasurements at the Senior Bowlput the Vanderbilt quarterback at about 5-9 7/8 inches.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Shortest QBs in NFL history: Where Diego Pavia would rank

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