Many dishes are prepared or served for a special occasion or historic event. Especially children enjoy these special meals or snacks. It is also a good occasion to talk about cultural and historical aspects of life in general and food in particular, whilst enjoying the delicious dishes.

Saint David is the patron saint of Wales and today his feast is celebrated by people wearing a leek or a daffodil. In the old days, Welsh soldiers wore a leek to distinguish themselves from the English enemy.

The 12th of March is "Arbor Day" (tree planting day) in China. In 1981, a resolution was adopted to plant 3-5 trees per person per year. This day is observed in a large number of countries, dates depending on the climate and the season.

On or close to 21 March, the Iranians and many other countries around them celebrate Nowruz (meaning "New Day"). People also call it "Persian New Year" and it is said to be invented by Zoroaster

On the first of March 752, Romulus celebrated his first victory in Rome. The occasion of the war was the fact that the Romans had, to fill the women-gap, abducted Sabine virgins.

International Youth Day is celebrated on the 12th of August and recognized by the UN. Like Teachers' Day, many countries have their own Youth Day, and Tunisia has it on the 21st of March.

Today is "World Water Day" which is meant to remind us all of the need to use water wisely, not spoil it as the stock may be limited. In cooking, water is something we cannot do without. But lets try something dry, like dukka.

Today Hinamatsuri is celebrated in Japan. The day is also called Doll's Day, as a set of dolls representing the Emperor, Empress and followers are displayed. People used to believe that dolls could keep evil spirits at bay.

In Hungary, Márciusi ifjak is celebrated, to commemorate the 1848 revolution. It was one of many revolutions, and Hungary suffered from the reign of the Habsburgs as well as nobles struggling to keep their privileges.

On the 23rd of March 1956, Pakistan became a republic. The country was only established in 1947, when India was split up and two Muslim majorities were granted their own territories in British India.

The island Java (Indonesia) was important in the battle for spices. After having had friendly relations with the Portuguese, the Dutch conquered the island and named it "Batavia" on 4 March 1621.

Argentina celebrates the "Day of Remembrance of Truth and Justice". On 24 March 1976. the military junta, also known as "the last dictatorship" took the power from the wife of president Perón. This situation lasted till 1983.

5 March 1933 is the start of the Great Depression: USA President Roosevelt declares a "bank holiday", closing all U.S. banks and freezing all financial transactions. In many countries, unemployment rose and revenues dropped.

On 25 March 1821, in  Greece, the revolution against the Turks (Ottomans) was declared, with the motto "Freedom or Death". In 1832, Greece was acknowledged as independent nation.

Ghana already traded with Portugal in the 15th century and in 1874, the British established a crown colony. On 6 March 1957, Ghana again became independent of Great Britain.

St. Patrick, the patron of Ireland, died on the 17th of March 460 and this day is still celebrated and has become the national holiday of Ireland, with green as its color and the shamrock as it's symbol.

On the 26th of March 1971, the independence was declared in Bangladesh by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Liberation War against West Pakistan began. West Pakistan became independent under the name Bangladesh.

On 7 March 1872 the Dutch painter Piet Mondriaan was born in Amersfoort, Utrecht province (died 1944). He painted rectangles in basic colors with black lines on a white surface..

In Mongolia, today "Men's and Soldiers' Day" is celebrated. It used to be a day for the men who served in the army, but nowadays it is simply for all men, as women have had their day on the 8th.

International Women's Day is celebrated in different ways in various countries. Why not challenge the men into making a baking a delicious cake for the women, to spend more time in the kitchen today.

The Fallas Festival is celebrated in Valencia, Spain and may last up to two weeks. Dolls are made and transported in parades. Paella dinners are served for the occasion.

Since 2009, this day has been known in Tibet as "Serf Liberation Day". On 28 March 1959, the Chinese dissolved the Government of Tibet, which they found freed from feudalism.

On the 9th of March 1959 (my favorite year) Barbie was introduced at the International Toy Fair in New York. To look like her, restrain yourself and eat only salads. Or better, don't even try.

In the 9th century BC the famous city of Cartago was founded in Tunisia. Tunisia has been conquered on and off, and from 1881-1956 it was under French regime, from which they freed themselves on the 20th of March.

The "Sicilian Vespers", a revolution of the Sicilian population against the French King, started after the vespers in the evening of 30 March 1282. In those days, the Kingdom of Sicily was much larger than the island it is nowadays.

Spring has started. It does not always look like it, as in The Netherlands most trees are still without leaves and it is rainy, stormy and cold. Still, we start dreaming with a spring sandwich.