TODAY IN HISTORY: MARCH 20

 

March 20

March 20 holds significance in history, culture, and nature. This date marks the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when the earth awakens from its winter slumber, bursting into life with blooming flowers and buzzing wildlife. Additionally, numerous events have occurred on this date throughout history, shaping the world we live in today. From political milestones to scientific breakthroughs, March 20 is a day that encompasses both celebration and remembrance.

In the realm of nature, March 20 signifies the vernal equinox, when day and night are of equal length. This is a pivotal moment, as it heralds the transition from cold winter to the rejuvenation of spring. As the sun gradually climbs higher in the sky, its warm rays begin to melt away the icy grip of winter, allowing new life to emerge. Blossoms paint landscapes with vibrant colors, trees awaken from their dormant state, and animals awaken from hibernation. March 20 marks a turning point towards growth and renewal, filling the air with a sense of optimism and possibility.

Beyond the realm of nature, March 20 also holds historical and cultural significance. In 1897, The Botanist D.C. Robbins discovered the vitamin C, an essential nutrient vital for human health, often associated with preventing scurvy. This groundbreaking discovery revolutionized the field of nutrition and had a profound impact on public health worldwide. Furthermore, in 1933, the United States officially recognized Saint Patrick's Day as a national holiday. This celebration of Irish culture and heritage is observed on March 17th, close to March 20, and has become a festive occasion celebrated by millions globally.

Moreover, March 20 has been a witness to numerous political milestones. In 1916, the United States acquiesced to the German declaration of submarine warfare, a significant event that would escalate tensions and ultimately lead to the United States' entry into World War I. On March 20, 2003, the United States launched Operation Iraqi Freedom, initiating the invasion of Iraq. This decision and subsequent conflict had far-reaching consequences that continue to shape geopolitics to this day.

March 20 also marks the birthday of famous individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world. Fred Rogers, the beloved television host of \Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,\ was born on this day in 1928. His gentle demeanor, heartfelt messages, and dedication to enriching the lives of children have made him an enduring icon of kindness and compassion. Another notable personality born on March 20 is the renowned theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking. Hawking, known for his groundbreaking work on black holes and singularities, defied the odds by continuing his groundbreaking research despite being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease at the age of 21.

March 20 has also been a pivotal date for protest movements and political demonstrations. In 2003, millions of people around the world took to the streets to protest the Iraq War. This international show of dissent demonstrated the power of collective action and the global desire for peace. Furthermore, on March 20, 2018, thousands of students across the United States participated in the National School Walkout to protest against gun violence in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. This demonstration brought attention to the urgent need for stronger gun control measures and sparked a nationwide dialogue on school safety and the Second Amendment.

In conclusion, March 20 is a date that encompasses both natural and human milestones. As nature awakens with the arrival of spring, humans reflect on historical events and celebrate the achievements of remarkable individuals. Whether it be the vernal equinox or significant scientific, historical, or cultural events, March 20 serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the transformative power of human actions.

Here are more events from this day:

673 – Emperor Tenmu of Japan assumes the Chrysanthemum Throne at the Palace of Kiyomihara in Asuka.

1206 – Michael IV Autoreianos is appointed Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

1600 – The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden: five Swedish noblemen are publicly beheaded in the aftermath of the War against Sigismund (1598–1599).

1602 – The Dutch East India Company is established.

1616 – Sir Walter Raleigh is freed from the Tower of London after 13 years of imprisonment.

1760 – The Great Boston Fire of 1760 destroys 349 buildings.

1815 – After escaping from Elba, Napoleon enters Paris with a regular army of 140,000 and a volunteer force of around 200,000, beginning his "Hundred Days" rule.

1848 – German revolutions of 1848–49: King Ludwig I of Bavaria abdicates.

1852 – Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin is published.

1854 – The Republican Party of the United States is organized in Ripon, Wisconsin, US.

1861 – An earthquake destroys Mendoza, Argentina.

1883 – The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property is signed.

1888 – The premiere of the very first Romani language operetta is staged in Moscow, Russia.

1890 – Chancellor of the German Empire Otto von Bismarck is dismissed by Emperor Wilhelm II.

1896 – With the approval of Emperor Guangxu, the Qing dynasty post office is opened, marking the beginning of a postal service in China.

1913 – Sung Chiao-jen, a founder of the Chinese Nationalist Party, is wounded in an assassination attempt and dies 2 days later.

1916 – Albert Einstein publishes his general theory of relativity.

1921 – The Upper Silesia plebiscite was a plebiscite mandated by the Versailles Treaty to determine a section of the border between Weimar Germany and Poland.

1922 – The USS Langley is commissioned as the first United States Navy aircraft carrier.

1923 – The Arts Club of Chicago hosts the opening of Pablo Picasso's first United States showing, entitled Original Drawings by Pablo Picasso, becoming an early proponent of modern art in the United States.

1926 – Chiang Kai-shek initiates a purge of communist elements within the National Revolutionary Army in Guangzhou.

1933 – Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler ordered the creation of Dachau concentration camp as Chief of Police of Munich and appointed Theodor Eicke as the camp commandant.

1942 – World War II: General Douglas MacArthur, at Terowie, South Australia, makes his famous speech regarding the fall of the Philippines, in which he says: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return".

1948 – With a Musicians Union ban lifted, the first telecasts of classical music in the United States, under Eugene Ormandy and Arturo Toscanini, are given on CBS and NBC.

1951 – Fujiyoshida, a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, in the center of the Japanese main island of Honshū is founded.

1952 – The US Senate ratifies the Security Treaty Between the United States and Japan.

1956 – Tunisia gains independence from France.

1964 – The precursor of the European Space Agency, ESRO (European Space Research Organisation) is established per an agreement signed on June 14, 1962.

1969 – A United Arab airlines (now Egyptair) Ilyushin Il-18 crashes at Aswan international Airport, killing 100 people.

1972 – The Troubles: The first Provisional IRA car bombing in Belfast kills seven people and injures 148 others in Northern Ireland.

1985 – Libby Riddles becomes the first woman to win the 1,135-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

1985 – Canadian paraplegic athlete and humanitarian Rick Hansen begins his circumnavigation of the globe in a wheelchair in the name of spinal cord injury medical research.

1987 – The Food and Drug Administration approves the anti-AIDS drug, AZT.

1988 – Eritrean War of Independence: Having defeated the Nadew Command, the Eritrean People's Liberation Front enters the town of Afabet, victoriously concluding the Battle of Afabet.

1990 – Ferdinand Marcos's widow, Imelda Marcos, goes on trial for bribery, embezzlement, and racketeering.

1993 – The Troubles: A Provisional IRA bomb kills two children in Warrington, England. It leads to mass protests in both Britain and Ireland.

1995 – The Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo carries out a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, killing 13 and wounding over 6,200 people.

1999 – Legoland California, the first Legoland outside of Europe, opens in Carlsbad, California, US.

2000 – Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, a former Black Panther once known as H. Rap Brown, is captured after murdering Georgia sheriff's deputy Ricky Kinchen and critically wounding Deputy Aldranon English.

2003 – Iraq War: The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland begin an invasion of Iraq.

2006 – Over 150 Chadian soldiers are killed in eastern Chad by members of the rebel UFDC. The rebel movement sought to overthrow Chadian president Idriss Déby.

2010 – Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland begins eruptions that would last for three months, heavily disrupting air travel in Europe.

2012 – At least 52 people are killed and more than 250 injured in a wave of terror attacks across ten cities in Iraq.

2014 – Four suspected Taliban members attack the Kabul Serena Hotel, killing at least nine people.

2015 – A Solar eclipse, equinox, and a supermoon all occur on the same day.

2015 – Syrian civil war: The Siege of Kobanî is broken by the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Free Syrian Army (FSA), marking a turning point in the Rojava–Islamist conflict.