What Happened on March 28 in History?
March 28 has been the date of several pivotal historical events, ranging from ancient Roman power shifts to modern nuclear accidents and cultural milestones.
Major Historical Events
Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident (1979): The United States experienced its worst commercial nuclear accident when a partial meltdown occurred at the Three Mile Island plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
U.S. Citizenship Ruling (1898): In United States v. Wong Kim Ark, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a child born in the U.S. to Chinese immigrants was a citizen, establishing the principle of birthright citizenship.
Fall of Madrid (1939): General Francisco Franco's forces captured Madrid, effectively ending the Spanish Civil War and beginning his decades-long dictatorship.
Turkish City Renaming (1930): The Turkish government officially changed the names of Constantinople and Angora to Istanbul and Ankara.
First Seaplane Flight (1910): French inventor Henri Fabre became the first person to fly a seaplane, taking off from water in his "Hydravion" near Marseille.
Roman Empire Auctions (193): After the assassination of Emperor Pertinax, the Praetorian Guard notoriously auctioned off the Roman throne to the highest bidder, Didius Julianus.
Science, Culture & Sports
"Big Bang" Coined (1949): Astronomer Fred Hoyle first used the term "Big Bang" during a BBC radio broadcast, though he actually intended it as a derisive name for the theory he opposed.
"The Birds" Premiere (1963): Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror film The Birds was released in the United States.
Baltimore Colts Move (1984): In a famous sports controversy, the Baltimore Colts moved to Indianapolis in the middle of the night.
Louvre Pyramid Inauguration (1989): The I.M. Pei-designed Louvre Pyramid was officially inaugurated in Paris.
Notable Births and Deaths
Births:
Raphael (1483): Renowned Italian Renaissance painter and architect.
Maxim Gorky (1868): Influential Russian novelist and playwright.
Mario Vargas Llosa (1936): Nobel Prize-winning Peruvian author.
Reba McEntire (1955): Country music legend often called the "Queen of Country".
Lady Gaga (1986): Multi-platinum pop star and Oscar-winning actress.
Deaths:
Virginia Woolf (1941): Renowned English modernist author who died by suicide on this day.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1969): 34th U.S. President and WWII General.
Marc Chagall (1985): Famed Belarusian-French artist.
Holidays & Observances
National Something on a Stick Day: A food holiday celebrating any food served on a skewer.
Black Forest Cake Day: A day dedicated to the famous German dessert.
