#31stmarch #onthisday #history March 31st marks a day of culmination and initiation across the globe. Let's explore some significant historical events, cultural celebrations, and technological milestones associated with this date:
Echoes of History:
• 307 AD: Constantine Marries Fausta: Roman emperor Constantine I divorces his wife Minervina and marries Fausta, daughter of the retired emperor Maximian.
• 1146 AD: Second Crusade Preached: Bernard of Clairvaux delivers a powerful sermon at Vézelay, urging French participation in the Second Crusade.
• 1492 AD: Alhambra Decree Issued: Queen Isabella I of Castile issues the Alhambra Decree, ordering her Jewish and Muslim subjects to convert to Christianity or face expulsion from Spain. This event marks the beginning of a mass exodus of these communities.
• 1521 AD: Magellan Lands in the Philippines: Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reaches Limasawa Island in the Philippines, marking the first European contact with the archipelago.
• 1727 AD: Death of Isaac Newton: English mathematician and physicist Isaac Newton, a pioneer of scientific thought, dies at the age of 84.
• 1814 AD: Napoleon Abdicates: Following his defeat in Europe, French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates his throne, marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
• 1850 AD: Death of John C. Calhoun: American politician John C. Calhoun, a strong advocate for states' rights and a key figure in the events leading to the Civil War, dies at the age of 68.
• 1889: Eiffel Tower Opens: The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris and France, is officially inaugurated.
• 1918: Daylight Saving Time Begins in the US: The United States adopts Daylight Saving Time (DST) for the first time, aiming to conserve energy during World War I.
• 1933: Civilian Conservation Corps Founded: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a public work program aimed at providing jobs and environmental conservation during the Great Depression, begins operations in the United States.
• 1964: Military Coup in Brazil: A military coup d'état in Brazil ousts democratically elected president João Goulart, ushering in a period of military dictatorship.
• 1968: President Johnson Announces He Won't Seek Re-Election: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing growing public opposition to the Vietnam War, announces he will not run for re-election.
• 1972: Death of Meena Kumari: Legendary Indian actress Meena Kumari, known for her powerful performances in Hindi films, passes away.
• 1980: Jesse Owens Dies: American track and field legend Jesse Owens, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and advocate for racial equality, dies at the age of 66.
• 1983: Colombia Earthquake: A powerful earthquake devastates parts of Colombia, leaving over 5,000 people dead.
Celebrations Around the World:
• Teacher's Day (Slovakia): Slovakian educators are celebrated for their contributions on Teacher's Day.
Other Notable Events:
• 1596 AD: Birth of René Descartes: French philosopher René Descartes, known for his groundbreaking ideas on dualism and the famous quote "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"
, is born.
• 1985: First WrestleMania Held: The first WrestleMania, a now-legendary event many consider the granddaddy of professional wrestling entertainment, takes place in New York.
March 31st signifies not only endings but also new beginnings. It's a day that reminds us of change, transition, and the constant flow of time.
