TODAY IN HISTORY: MARCH 28

 

March 28

March 28 is a date that holds significance in history, culture, and current affairs. It marks the culmination of events, births of notable individuals, and the celebration of various observances. In this essay, we will explore some of these key aspects associated with March 28, delving into its rich tapestry of importance.

Historically, March 28 has witnessed various significant events that have shaped the world. On March 28, 1930, Indian nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi led the Salt March, a nonviolent protest against the British monopoly on salt production in India. This act of civil disobedience was a pivotal moment in India's fight for independence and is remembered as a major milestone in the country's history.

Another notable event associated with March 28 is the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, which occurred on this date in 1979. This incident, the most serious commercial nuclear power accident in the United States, raised concerns and highlighted the potential dangers of nuclear energy. It sparked debates on the safety of nuclear power and led to changes in regulations and procedures in the industry.

March 28 is also a day of birth for various influential figures. On this day in 1905, Russian author and Nobel laureate Boris Pasternak was born. Pasternak is best known for his novel \Doctor Zhivago,\ which gained international acclaim and became a cultural phenomenon.

Additionally, American actress and comedian Lady Gaga celebrates her birthday on March 28. Known for her unique style, powerful vocals, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Lady Gaga has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry and popular culture.

In terms of religious observations, March 28 holds significance for Christians as it marks Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, as described in the Bible. It is a day of celebrating Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week, leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection.

March 28 also sheds light on current affairs and ongoing global issues. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by humanity and the need for action. Climate change, poverty, and political conflicts are among the pressing concerns that persist on this date. It serves as a reminder to society that there is still work to be done in order to build a more just and sustainable world.

In conclusion, March 28 holds a diverse range of historical, cultural, and contemporary significance. From momentous events that have shaped nations, to the birthdays of influential figures, to religious observances, it is a date that represents both the triumphs and ongoing challenges faced by humanity. As we reflect on March 28, it is a reminder of the complex tapestry of human experience and the importance of working towards a better future.

Here are more events from this day:

AD 37 – Roman emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, bestowed on him by the Senate.

193 – After assassinating the Roman Emperor Pertinax, his Praetorian Guards auction off the throne to Didius Julianus.

364 – Roman Emperor Valentinian I appoints his brother Flavius Valens co-emperor.

1065 – The Great German Pilgrimage, which has been under attack by Bedouin bandits for three days, is rescued by the Fatimid governor of Ramla.

1566 – The foundation stone of Valletta, Malta's capital city, is laid by Jean Parisot de Valette, Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

1776 – Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco.

1795 – Partitions of Poland: The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, a northern fief of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, ceases to exist and becomes part of Imperial Russia.

1801 – Treaty of Florence is signed, ending the war between the French Republic and the Kingdom of Naples.

1802 – Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers discovers 2 Pallas, the second asteroid ever to be discovered.

1809 – Peninsular War: France defeats Spain in the Battle of Medellín.

1814 – War of 1812: In the Battle of Valparaíso, two American naval vessels are captured by two Royal Navy vessels.

1842 – First concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Otto Nicolai.

1854 – Crimean War: France and Britain declare war on Russia.

1860 – First Taranaki War: The Battle of Waireka begins.

1862 – American Civil War: In the Battle of Glorieta Pass, Union forces stop the Confederate invasion of the New Mexico Territory. The battle began on March 26.

1910 – Henri Fabre becomes the first person to fly a seaplane, the Fabre Hydravion, after taking off from a water runway near in France.

1918 – General John J. Pershing, during World War I, cancels 42nd 'Rainbow' Division's orders to Rolampont for further training and diverted it to the occupy the Baccarat sector. Rainbow Division becomes "the first American division to take over an entire sector on its own, which it held longer than any other American division-occupied sector alone for a period of three months".

1918 – Finnish Civil War: On the so-called "Bloody Maundy Thursday of Tampere", the Whites force the Reds to attack the city center, where the city's fiercest battles being fought in Kalevankangas with large casualties on both sides. During the same day, an explosion at the Red headquarters of Tampere kills several commanders.

1920 – Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1920 affects the Great Lakes region and Deep South states.

1933 – The Imperial Airways biplane City of Liverpool is believed to be the first airliner lost to sabotage when a passenger sets a fire on board.

1939 – Spanish Civil War: Generalissimo Francisco Franco conquers Madrid after a three-year siege.

1941 – World War II: First day of the Battle of Cape Matapan in Greece between the navies of the United Kingdom and Australia, and the Royal Italian navy.

1942 – World War II: A British combined force permanently disables the Louis Joubert Lock in Saint-Nazaire in order to keep the German battleship Tirpitz away from the mid-ocean convoy lanes.

1946 – Cold War: The United States Department of State releases the Acheson–Lilienthal Report, outlining a plan for the international control of nuclear power.

1959 – The State Council of the People's Republic of China dissolves the government of Tibet.

1965 – An M_w  7.4 earthquake in Chile sets off a series of tailings dam failures, burying the town of El Cobre and killing at least 500 people.

1968 – Brazilian high school student Edson Luís de Lima Souto is killed by military police at a student protest.

1969 – Greek poet and Nobel Prize laureate Giorgos Seferis makes a famous statement on the BBC World Service opposing the junta in Greece.

1970 – An earthquake strikes western Turkey at about 23:05 local time, killing 1,086 and injuring at least 1,200.

1978 – The US Supreme Court hands down 5–3 decision in Stump v. Sparkman, a controversial case involving involuntary sterilization and judicial immunity.

1979 – A coolant leak at the Three Mile Island's Unit 2 nuclear reactor outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania leads to the core overheating and a partial meltdown.

1979 – The British House of Commons passes a vote of no confidence against James Callaghan's government by 1 vote, precipitating a general election.

1990 – United States President George H. W. Bush posthumously awards Jesse Owens the Congressional Gold Medal.

1994 – In South Africa, African National Congress security guards kill dozens of Inkatha Freedom Party protesters.

1999 – Kosovo War: Serb paramilitary and military forces kill at least 130 Kosovo Albanians in Izbica.

2001 – Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos begins operation.

2003 – In a friendly fire incident, two American A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft attack British tanks participating in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, killing one soldier.

2005 – An earthquake shakes northern Sumatra with a magnitude of 8.6 and killing over 1000 people.

2006 – At least one million union members, students and unemployed take to the streets in France in protest at the government's proposed First Employment Contract law.