Fact 1: The Birth of the Eiffel Tower
In the heart of Paris, the iconic Eiffel Tower was opened to the public on this day, March 31, in 1889. Erected for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, it was initially met with criticism from France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but has since become an enduring symbol of France.
Fact 2: John Harrison's legacy
March 31st houses an important figure in history, John Harrison, known for inventing the maritime chronometer. This significant invention helped solve the problem of determining longitude at sea. His invention was so significant that it changed navigation forever.
Fact 3: A 'Leap' Ahead In Time
In 2008, March 31st was an extraordinary day for computer systems as the second 'Leap Second' was added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This was done to synchronize atomic clocks with astronomical time.
Fact 4: Enactment of the transfer of the Indian capital
On March 31, 1912, the British Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge, enacted the decision to move the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi. The move was completed in 1911, but the final official announcement was made on this day.
Fact 5: Birthday of A One Dollar Coin
In 1849, the United States released the first $1 coin to circulation. It is commemorated as the day that marked a ‘change’ in American currency.
Fact 6: A Day of Celebrations in Malta
For the country of Malta, March 31 is observed as Freedom Day, a day of national celebrations. It commemorates the day in 1979 when the British military officially left the island.
Fact 7: A Musical Note in History
Renowned composer Johann Sebastian Bach published his collection of solo organ music, titled ‘The Little Organ Book’ on March 31, 1720.
Fact 8: UN Makes Its Move
On March 31, 1951, the United Nations moved its headquarters to its permanent location in New York City.
Fact 9: The Launch of TIROS-1
The very first successful weather satellite, TIROS-1, was launched by NASA on March 31, 1960. The name is an acronym for Television Infrared Observation Satellite.
Fact 10: The Origin of the Dance Marathon
On March 31, 1923, the first American dance marathon, also known as a walkathon, was held in New York City. It started a craze that swept the nation throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
Fact 11: Introduction of the Daylight Saving Time in the UK
March 31, 1918, marked the first time when the United Kingdom introduced the concept of Daylight Saving Time to make better use of daylight during the World War I.
Fact 12: The Premiere of the Cult Classic Show, 'Twin Peaks'
The renowned and cult-classic television show 'Twin Peaks' first aired on ABC on March 31, 1990.
Fact 13: Gandhi's Salt March Ended
Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic Salt March, protesting the British Salt Tax in India, ended on March 31, 1930.
Fact 14: The Publication of The First Map of the US
Abel Buell, an American cartographer, published the first map of the United States that was compiled, printed, and published in America on March 31, 1784.
Fact 15: Percy Bysshe Shelley's expulsion from Oxford
The English Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, was expelled from Oxford for publishing a pamphlet entitled, “The Necessity of Atheism” on March 31, 1811.
Fact 16: An Important Date for Naturalists
The Natural History Museum in Britain officially opened on March 31, 1881. It is home to 80 million specimens from around the world.
Fact 17: March 31, The International Transgender Day of Visibility
This day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide. The holiday was founded by US-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall of Michigan in 2009.
Fact 18: The Tallest Skyscraper Debuts
Taipei 101, the skyscraper and landmark in Taiwan, once the world's tallest building, debuted on March 31, 2004.
Fact 19: A Day for Backup
March 31 is recognized as World Backup Day. The day serves as a reminder for people to backup the files on their computer, laptop or smartphone.
Fact 20: The Re-Launch of the Titanic’s Sister Ship
The RMS Britannic, the sister ship of the ill-fated RMS Titanic, was launched for the second time on March 31, 1914, after modifications were made due to the Titanic disaster.