On This Day In History
Virginia Woolf died on this day in 1941, having given us so much and having suffered so much. Her beautiful, bittersweet writings on finding beauty in the uncertainty of time, space, and being: https://t.co/ezRpionuAd
— Maria Popova (@brainpicker) March 28, 2022
March 29th
845 Paris is sacked by Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, who collects a huge ransom in exchange for leaving
1549 The city of Salvador da Bahia, the first capital of Brazil, is founded
1901 Edmund Barton is elected Prime Minister in Australia's first parliamentary election
1912 Captain Robert Falcon Scott, storm-bound in a tent near South Pole, makes last entry in his diary "the end cannot be far"
1961 After a 4½ year trial Nelson Mandela is acquitted of treason in Pretoria
1974 Chinese farmers discover the Terracotta Army near Xi'an, 8,000 clay warrior statues buried to guard the tomb of China's 1st emperor, Qin Shi Huang
1999 The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at 10006.78 - above the 10,000 mark for the first time ever
Did You Know?
Movie star Jimmy Stewart is promoted to full colonel, one of the few Americans to rise from private to colonel in four years
Today in History in 1945
Would You Believe?
Beatle records officially go on sale in Russia
Today in History in 1986
This day 21 years ago – 29 March 1998 – the Christian Brothers issued an apology, which was printed in newspapers.
“We… wish to express our deep regret to anyone who suffered ill-treatment in our care… to you who complained... and were not listened to, we are deeply sorry.” pic.twitter.com/34zRUmEqzj
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) March 29, 2019
In 1960 Elza Soares released her first single. She had been forced into marriage at 12, but went on to become one of Brazil's best-loved singers, recording over 40 albums in her own samba style. She died aged 91, as she was preparing a new album and tour.https://t.co/bA97bO1U7A
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) March 29, 2022
On this day in 1964, segregated white churches in Jackson, MS, barred 2 interracial groups from entering Easter Sunday services. Nine men were arrested and convicted of disturbing public worship. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/kCGhgyddwY
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) March 29, 2022
March 31st
240 BC 1st recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
1856 The Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Great Britain, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia sign the Treaty of Paris ending the Crimean War
1867 Alaska Purchase: US buys Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000 ($109 million in 2018), roughly 2 cents an acre
1870 15th Amendment to the US constitution is adopted, guarantees right to vote regardless of race
1959 Dalai Lama flees China and is granted political asylum in India
1972 Northern Ireland's Government and Parliament dissolved by the British Government and 'direct rule' from Westminster is introduced
Did You Know?
Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" sells for a record 22.5 million pounds ($39.7 million)
Today in History in 1987
Would You Believe?
World's most valuable tip - New York police detective Robert Cunningham offers waitress Phyllis Penzo half of $1 lottery ticket, next day they win $6 million
Today in History in 1984
This day 171 years ago – 30 March 1849 – the Doolough Tragedy took place.
Recipients of outdoor relief were forced to walk overnight from Louisbourgh to Delphi Lodge in order to be met by officials from Westport Poor Law Union.
16 men, women, and children died during the walk. pic.twitter.com/jJLa9gae1g
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) March 30, 2020
In 1906, Paula Modersohn-Becker painted a series of nude self-portraits; it was 'a near-revolutionary act in the history of modernism'. Overlooked for many years, she is now recognised as an important figure in early modernist art. https://t.co/oUA6nsyFuE pic.twitter.com/a9tV7tOx4T
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) March 30, 2022
On this day in 1908, a young Black man in Alabama was arrested for failing to provide proof of employment and later forced to work for the State's profit through the system of convict leasing. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/vlMFh8o8ND
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) March 30, 2022
30th March 1903 - Residents close to Niagara Falls woke up to an eerie silence as their National Attraction had run dry, An ice jam further up the river had completely cut off the flow of water.
30th March 1981- John Hinckley Jnr shot the American President, Ronald Reagan, as he exited a Washington hotel, in a bizarre attempt to get the attention of actress Jodie Foster.
March 31st
1146 Bernard of Clairvaux preaches his famous sermon in a field at Vézelay, urging the necessity of a Second Crusade. Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine are present and join the Crusade
1492 Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon issue the Alhambra Decree which expels Jews from their kingdoms
1657 English Parliament makes the Humble Petition to Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell offering him the crown: he declines
1920 British parliament accepts Irish Home Rule law
Did You Know?
Eiffel Tower officially opens in Paris. Built for the Exposition Universelle, at 300m high it retains the record for the tallest man made structure for 41 years.
Today in History in 1889
Would You Believe?
Thomas Mundy Peterson of Perth Amboy, New Jersey is the first African American to vote in the US under provisions of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, in a local election on town's charter
Today in History in 1870
31st March 1909 - The keel of RMS Titanic was laid in Belfast and construction of the liner commenced
31st March 1896 - Emil Jellinek, an Austrian businessman, struck a deal with Gottlieb Daimler to purchase a race car designed to Jellinek's specifications, and given the brand name Mercedes, after Jellinek's 11 year old daughter.
April 1st
527 Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne
1748 Ruins of Pompeii rediscovered by Spaniard Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre
1952 Big Bang theory proposed in Physical Review by Alpher, Bethe & George Gamow
1974 Ayatollah Khomeini calls for an Islamic Republic in Iran
1976 Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs found Apple Computer in the garage of Jobs' parents house in Cupertino, California
2001 Netherlands becomes the first country in the world to make same-sex marriage legal
Did You Know?
Clyde Barrow kills two young highway patrolmen, H. D. Murphy and Edward Bryant Wheeler, at the intersection of Route 114 near Grapevine, Texas. Bonnie Parker's role in the murders helps turn public perception against the gang for good
Today in History in 1934
Would You Believe?
Google introduces Gmail: the launch is met with skepticism on account of the launch date
Today in History in 2004
This day 57 years ago – 1 April 1962 – RTÉ broadcast a report discussing the implications of both Ireland and the UK entering the European Economic Community, which they had applied to join:
“How long will the border last and how will it go? It just might go in a Common Market.” pic.twitter.com/6IAmkstdPn
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) April 1, 2019
Today's one isn't up yet- this is one from yesterday which was missed on account of Twitter misbehaving.
#otd in 1776 Abigail Adams, leading American revolutionary and a women's rights activist, wrote to her husband, President John Adams: "Remember the Ladies.... [we] will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no Voice, or Representation.” https://t.co/rNLHkRUzjm pic.twitter.com/YH8Q1IAcRL
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) March 31, 2022