First Day Of Spring

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When you were a kid, which date were you told the seasons changed on?

"Spring Bloom" Painting on ipad by Felicia-May Stevenson

I could swear it was the 21st.  In fact, I'm sure of it.  So when did this change, and more importantly, why?!

I'd been arguing about this with my eldest son for two days, as his teacher told him the first day of spring was on March 20th, and my youngest's teacher said the 21st.  A quick google search has just revealed that he is right and I am wrong.  

Apparently a bunch of astronomers got together and decided that the vernal equinox (AKA first day of spring) actually happened today, March 20th this year.

What's worse, it seems that March 21st has barely ever been the first day of spring.

Is everything I learned in school nothing but a lie?