TODAY IN HISTORY: MARCH 30

 

March 30

March 30th is a significant date in history. It has witnessed various notable events and has marked important milestones across different fields. This day remains etched in the annals of history for its political, social, and cultural significance. From significant moments in history to important scientific discoveries, March 30th has left a lasting impact on the world.

One notable event in history that occurred on March 30th was the birth of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh in 1853. Van Gogh is known for his post-impressionist style and his iconic works such as \Starry Night\ and \Sunflowers.\ Despite not achieving commercial success during his lifetime, Van Gogh's artistic talent is now celebrated worldwide. His masterpieces have become a source of inspiration for generations of artists and art enthusiasts.

Another significant event that took place on March 30th was the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869. This artificial waterway connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, significantly shortening the distance between Europe and Asia. The Suez Canal has been a crucial route for international trade, allowing ships to bypass the lengthy journey around the African continent. It has had a profound impact on global trade and has transformed the economies of the countries in the region.

March 30th also holds importance in the realm of science. In 1842, Dr. Crawford W. Long performed the first successful surgery using ether as an anesthetic. This medical breakthrough revolutionized surgical procedures and drastically improved patient comfort during operations. It laid the foundation for the development of safer and more advanced anesthetic techniques, marking a significant milestone in the field of medicine.

Moving on to politics, March 30th witnessed a landmark event in 1867 when the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. This deal, known as the Alaska Purchase, expanded the territories of the United States and opened up vast resources, including oil, mineral deposits, and fisheries. Today, Alaska plays a vital role in the country's economy and is known for its stunning natural beauty and wildlife.

March 30th is also a day of remembrance and reflection. In 1981, US President Ronald Reagan was shot and injured in an assassination attempt. Although Reagan survived the assassination attempt, the incident highlighted the need for improved security measures for political leaders. It also gave rise to discussions on mental health and gun control in the United States.

On a more positive note, March 30th marks World Bipolar Day, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about bipolar disorder and eliminating the stigma associated with it. This day is a reminder to support individuals living with bipolar disorder and promote understanding and empathy towards mental health conditions.

Furthermore, March 30th holds cultural significance. It is celebrated as National Doctors' Day in the United States, honoring the work and dedication of healthcare professionals. This day recognizes the tireless efforts of doctors in providing quality healthcare to their patients and serves as a reminder of the importance of their contributions to society.

In conclusion, March 30th is a day filled with historical, scientific, and cultural significance. It has witnessed the birth of renowned artists, the completion of crucial infrastructure projects, groundbreaking scientific discoveries, and notable political events. This day serves as a reminder of the triumphs and challenges that have shaped our world.

Here are more events from this day:

598 – Balkan Campaign: The Avars lift the siege at the Byzantine stronghold of Tomis. Their leader Bayan I retreats north of the Danube River after the Avaro-Slavic hordes are decimated by the plague.

1282 – The people of Sicily rebel against the Angevin king Charles I, in what becomes known as the Sicilian Vespers.

1296 – Edward I sacks Berwick-upon-Tweed, during armed conflict between Scotland and England.

1699 – Guru Gobind Singh establishes the Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab.

1815 – Joachim Murat issues the Rimini Proclamation which would later inspire Italian unification.

1818 – Physicist Augustin Fresnel reads a memoir on optical rotation to the French Academy of Sciences, reporting that when polarized light is "depolarized" by a Fresnel rhomb, its properties are preserved in any subsequent passage through an optically-rotating crystal or liquid.

1822 – The Florida Territory is created in the United States.

1841 – The National Bank of Greece is founded in Athens.

1842 – Ether anesthesia is used for the first time, in an operation by the American surgeon Dr. Crawford Long.

1844 – One of the most important battles of the Dominican War of Independence from Haiti takes place near the city of Santiago de los Caballeros.

1855 – Origins of the American Civil War: "Border Ruffians" from Missouri invade Kansas and force election of a pro-slavery legislature.

1856 – The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Crimean War.

1861 – Discovery of the chemical elements: Sir William Crookes announces his discovery of thallium.

1863 – Danish prince Wilhelm Georg is chosen as King George of Greece.

1867 – Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about two cents/acre ($4.19/km), by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward.

1870 – Texas is readmitted to the United States Congress following Reconstruction.

1885 – The Battle for Kushka triggers the Panjdeh Incident which nearly gives rise to war between the Russian and British Empires.

1899 – German Society of Chemistry issues an invitation to other national scientific organizations to appoint delegates to the International Committee on Atomic Weights.

1900 – Archaeologists in Knossos, Crete, discover the first clay tablet with hieroglyphic writing in a script later called Linear B.

1912 – Sultan Abd al-Hafid signs the Treaty of Fez, making Morocco a French protectorate.

1918 – Beginning of the bloody March Events in Baku and other locations of Baku Governorate.

1939 – The Heinkel He 100 fighter sets a world airspeed record of 463 mph (745 km/h).

1940 – Second Sino-Japanese War: Japan declares Nanking capital of a new Chinese puppet government, nominally controlled by Wang Jingwei.

1944 – World War II: Allied bombers conduct their most severe bombing run on Sofia, Bulgaria.

1944 – Out of 795 Lancasters, Halifaxes and Mosquitos sent to attack Nuremberg, 95 bombers do not return, making it the largest RAF Bomber Command loss of the war.

1945 – World War II: Soviet forces invade Austria and capture Vienna. Polish and Soviet forces liberate Danzig.

1949 – Cold War: A riot breaks out in Austurvöllur square in Reykjavík, when Iceland joins NATO.

1959 – Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, flees Tibet for India.

1961 – The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs is signed in New York City.

1965 – Vietnam War: A car bomb explodes in front of the United States Embassy, Saigon, killing 22 and wounding 183 others.

1967 – Delta Air Lines Flight 9877 crashes at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, killing 19.

1972 – Vietnam War: The Easter Offensive begins after North Vietnamese forces cross into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of South Vietnam.

1976 – Israeli-Palestinian conflict: in the first organized response against Israeli policies by a Palestinian collective since 1948, Palestinians create the first Land Day.

1979 – Airey Neave, a British Member of Parliament (MP), is killed by a car bomb as he exits the Palace of Westminster. The Irish National Liberation Army claims responsibility.

1981 – U.S. President Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John Hinckley, Jr.; three others are wounded in the same incident.

1982 – Space Shuttle program: STS-3 mission is completed with the landing of Columbia at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

2002 – The 2002 Lyon car attack takes place.

2008 – Drolma Kyi arrested by Chinese authorities.

2009 – Twelve gunmen attack the Manawan Police Academy in Lahore, Pakistan.

2011 – Min Aung Hlaing is appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's armed forces.

2017 – SpaceX conducts the world's first reflight of an orbital class rocket.

2018 – Israeli Army killed 17 Palestinians and wounded 1,400 in Gaza during Land Day protests.

2019 – Pope Francis visits Morocco.