Engaging Facts About March 31: Notable Events
The remarkable collection of facts about March 31 includes the 1889 inauguration of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, when Gustave Eiffel climbed the 1,710 steps to plant the French flag atop what would become one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks.
This significant date also witnessed the 1917 transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States, becoming the U.S. Virgin Islands. Curious what happened on this day in history? Let’s dive in.
March 31 Facts At-a-Glance
Historical Significance: Eiffel Tower Inauguration (1889)
Famous Birthdays: René Descartes, Cesar Chavez
Cultural Observances: World Backup Day
Notable Event: U.S. Virgin Islands Purchase (1917)
Scientific Achievement: First artificial satellite of the Moon (1966)
Entertainment Milestone: The Sting Academy Award Win (1974)
Numerological Position: 90th day of the year
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Historical Events and Turning Points
March 31 stands as a crucial date that has witnessed architectural achievements and territorial acquisitions.
- On March 31, 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry signed the Treaty of Kanagawa with Japan, ending Japan’s centuries-long isolation and opening its ports to American trade, though initially limited to two ports.
- On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower was officially inaugurated in Paris, France. Initially built as a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair, held to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
- On March 31, 1917, the United States took possession of the Danish West Indies after purchasing them for $25 million, renaming them the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Daylight Saving Time (DST) first went into effect in the United States on March 31, 1918, as part of the Standard Time Act of 1918 (also known as the “Calder Act” after its sponsor), a wartime measure to conserve energy.
- On March 31, 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a key program of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, was established to provide jobs for young, unemployed men during the Great Depression, focusing on conservation projects.
- On March 31, 1959, following the suppression of the 1959 Tibetan uprising, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet for India, beginning his exile that continues to the present day, where he established a government-in-exile in Dharamsala.
Notable Births and Achievements
March 31 has marked the birth of influential figures who have shaped philosophy, labor rights, and entertainment.
- On March 31, 1596, René Descartes was born in La Haye, Touraine, France, later becoming a foundational philosopher and mathematician known for “I think, therefore I am.”
- On March 31, 1927, Cesar Chavez was born in Arizona, later becoming a civil rights activist and co-founder of the United Farm Workers union.
- On March 31, 1934, Shirley Jones was born in Pennsylvania, later starring in “Oklahoma!” and “The Partridge Family,” winning an Academy Award.
- On March 31, 1948, Al Gore was born in Washington, D.C., later becoming U.S. Vice President and a Nobel Peace Prize winner for his environmental activism.
Scientific and Technological Milestones
Facts about March 31 show several groundbreaking achievements in astronomy and transportation that expanded human capabilities.
- Sir Isaac Newton, an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, and author, died on March 31, 1727, at the age of 84. Newton is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time, known for his work on the laws of motion, universal gravitation, and calculus.
- On March 31, 1880, Wabash, Indiana, became the first city to be entirely illuminated by electric lighting, a demonstration of Charles F. Brush’s arc lighting system, marking a significant step in the adoption of electricity for public use.
- On March 31, 1966, the Soviet Union launched Luna 10, which became the first spacecraft to successfully enter orbit around the Moon, making it the first artificial satellite of the Moon.
- On March 31, 1998, Netscape Communications released the source code for its browser, Netscape Communicator, which led to the creation of the Mozilla Foundation and the development of open-source products like Firefox.
Sports and Entertainment History
The world of sports and entertainment has witnessed remarkable achievements on March 31.
- On March 31, 1930, the Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code, was established to regulate the moral content of Hollywood films, influencing the industry for nearly four decades until its replacement by a rating system in 1968.
- On March 31, 1931, TWA Flight 599 crashed near Bazaar, Kansas, killing all eight aboard including Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, who was headed to Los Angeles to participate in the movie production of “The Spirit of Notre Dame.”
- On March 31, 1974, “The Sting,” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, won the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with six other Oscars, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
- On March 31, 1995, Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was shot and killed by her fan club president, shocking the music world.
Modern Significance and Observances
Today, March 31 continues to hold special significance through various observances and commemorations.
- World Backup Day, observed annually on March 31st, is a reminder to back up your data to prevent digital information loss, and it’s a day to take proactive steps to protect your valuable data.
- March 31 marks Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), an annual event dedicated to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness about discrimination they face.
- The anniversary of the Eiffel Tower’s inauguration, which falls on March 31st, is celebrated in Paris with special events and lighting displays, including a light show and other festivities.
- National Crayon Day, celebrated annually on March 31st, is a day to celebrate the invention and popularity of crayons, a beloved art tool and toy for generations, encouraging creativity and artistic expression.
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