MARCH 15

The Ides of March

This has long been considered an ill-fated day. The word ides comes from a Latin word meaning “to divide.” In fact, the ancient Romans considered the ides of any month unfavorable. The concept of unlucky days survived Julius Caesar (who was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C.—talk about bad luck) and calendar reforms. William Shakespeare made the phrase “Beware the ides of March” a popular saying in his play Julius Caesar.