March 31: What Happened on This Day in History
March 31st marks the 90th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 91st in case of leap years). There are 275 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on March 31st in history, famous birthdays on March 31st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to March 31.
What happened on March 31?
Here's what happened on March 31st in history:
- 2021: French President Emmanuel Macron announced a comprehensive national pandemic lockdown, which included closing schools for three weeks and implementing strict new restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19.
- 2008: On March 31, 2008, Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his Mahdi Army militia to cease all military operations. This directive aimed to reduce sectarian violence and promote national reconciliation in Iraq.
- 2006: On March 31, 2006, scientists announced significant findings related to neutrino oscillations, confirming that neutrinos can change types as they travel. This discovery has profound implications for particle physics and our understanding of the universe. source: sciencedaily.com
- 2002: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensified with several attacks, including a suicide bombing at the Matza restaurant in Haifa, resulting in 16 deaths and over 40 injuries. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the Tel Aviv café bombing on March 30. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2000: German author Volker Braun was awarded the Büchner Prize, one of Germany's most prestigious literary honors, on March 31, 2000. The prize recognized his significant contributions to German literature. source: deutscheakademie.de
- 1994: Cesar Chavez Day is celebrated on March 31 to honor the legacy of labor leader Cesar Chavez. The day recognizes his contributions to the civil rights movement and labor rights, particularly for farm workers. It is observed in several states, including California and Texas. source: dol.gov
- 1990: On March 31, 1990, tensions at Strangeways Prison in Manchester, England, escalated when inmates initiated a 30-minute sit-down protest in the chapel. This demonstration was a precursor to the larger riot that erupted the following day, leading to a 25-day standoff. The unrest resulted in significant damage to the prison and prompted widespread discussions on prison conditions and reform. source: theguardian.com
- 1985: On March 31, 1985, El Salvador held legislative elections, resulting in the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) securing 33 of the 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) won 13 seats, and the National Conciliation Party (PCN) obtained 12 seats. Voter turnout was approximately 42%. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1981: The 53rd Academy Awards ceremony, honoring films released in 1980, was held on March 31, 1981, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Originally scheduled for March 30, the event was postponed due to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. Hosted by Johnny Carson, the ceremony recognized achievements in 20 categories, with "Ordinary People" winning Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Redford. source: oscars.org
- 1975: On March 31, 1975, UCLA won its 10th NCAA basketball championship under coach John Wooden, defeating the University of Kentucky. This victory solidified UCLA's dominance in college basketball during the 1970s. source: ncaa.com
What famous birthdays are on March 31?
On March 31st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Eric Clapton]()
Eric Clapton (1945)Eric Clapton is a legendary British rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, renowned for his exceptional skill and influence in modern music. Nicknamed 'Slowhand,' he is one of the most acclaimed guitarists of all time and was a key figure in bands such as The Yardbirds, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos before establishing a successful solo career. [bio]
![Ewan McGregor]()
Ewan McGregor (1971)Ewan McGregor is a Scottish actor known for his wide-ranging roles in both independent films and major blockbusters. He first rose to prominence with his portrayal of Mark Renton in 'Trainspotting' (1996), and achieved global fame as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. McGregor is celebrated for his versatility, taking on diverse roles in films such as 'Moulin … [bio]
![Shirley Jones]()
Shirley Jones (1934)Shirley Jones is an acclaimed American actress and singer best known for her roles in classic musical films such as 'Oklahoma!', 'Carousel', and 'The Music Man', as well as for her starring role as Shirley Partridge in the television series 'The Partridge Family.' [bio]
![Christopher Walken]()
Christopher Walken (1943)Christopher Walken is an American actor known for his distinctive voice, eclectic screen presence, and diverse film roles across over five decades. He has appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for 'The Deer Hunter' (1978). [bio]
![Nikolai Gogol]()
Nikolai Gogol (1809)Nikolai Gogol was a renowned Russian writer, best known for his influence on Russian literature as a novelist and playwright. His early satirical and fantastical works, such as 'Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka,' brought him recognition, and later works like 'Dead Souls' and 'The Government Inspector' cemented his status as a literary giant in Russia and beyond. [bio]
![Richard Chamberlain]()
Richard Chamberlain (1934)Richard Chamberlain is an American actor and singer, best known for leading roles in popular television miniseries such as 'Dr. Kildare', 'The Thorn Birds', and 'Shōgun', as well as in films and stage productions. [bio]
![William Daniels]()
William Daniels (1927)William Daniels is an American actor best known for his roles in television series such as 'St. Elsewhere' and 'Boy Meets World.' With a career spanning over seven decades, he is recognized for his distinguished performances and significant contributions to American television and film. [bio]
![Dermot Morgan]()
Dermot Morgan (1952)Dermot Morgan was an Irish comedian, actor, and satirist best known for his iconic role as Father Ted Crilly in the Channel 4 sitcom 'Father Ted.' Morgan was a significant figure in Irish comedy, celebrated for his sharp wit and memorable performances. [bio]
![Rhea Perlman]()
Rhea Perlman (1948)Rhea Perlman is an American actress and author, best known for her role as Carla Tortelli on the long-running sitcom 'Cheers'. Her performance earned her multiple Emmy Awards and nominations, making her one of television's most recognized comedic performers of the 1980s and 1990s. [bio]
![Gabe Kaplan]()
Gabe Kaplan (1945)Gabe Kaplan is an American actor, comedian, and professional poker player, best known for his role as Gabe Kotter in the 1970s sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter.' He has had a successful career both in entertainment and in high-stakes poker tournaments. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on March 31?
On March 31st the following celebrities died:
![Isaac Newton]()
Isaac Newton (1727)Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, and author who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time. He is best known for formulating the three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, laying the foundation for classical mechanics. [bio]
![Anne Frank]()
Anne Frank (1945)Anne Frank was a German-Dutch Jewish girl who became one of the most discussed Jewish victims of the Holocaust after the posthumous publication of her diary, 'The Diary of a Young Girl,' which documents her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944 during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. [bio]
![Brandon Lee]()
Brandon Lee (1993)Brandon Lee was an American actor and martial artist, best known for his role as Eric Draven in the film 'The Crow.' He was the son of legendary martial artist and actor Bruce Lee. [bio]
![Ronnie Corbett]()
Ronnie Corbett (2016)Ronnie Corbett was a celebrated Scottish comedian, actor, and writer best known as one half of the comedy duo 'The Two Ronnies', alongside Ronnie Barker. He was a prominent figure in British entertainment for decades, renowned for his comic timing, monologues, and appearances on both stage and television. [bio]
![Meena Kumari]()
Meena Kumari (1972)Meena Kumari was a renowned Indian actress and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in Hindi cinema. Known as the 'Tragedy Queen,' she was celebrated for her emotionally resonant performances in a career that spanned over three decades. [bio]
![Anne Gwynne]()
Anne Gwynne (2003)Anne Gwynne was an American actress and model, best known for her roles in horror films during the 1940s and as one of the pioneering scream queens of Hollywood's Golden Age. She worked extensively in Universal Pictures' horror productions and was also a popular pin-up model during World War II. [bio]
![Selena Quintanilla]()
Selena Quintanilla (1995)Selena Quintanilla was a celebrated Mexican-American singer, songwriter, and fashion icon, often hailed as the 'Queen of Tejano Music'. She became one of the most influential Latin artists of the 20th century, known for her powerful vocals, charismatic stage presence, and her groundbreaking influence in bringing Tejano music to mainstream audiences. Tragically, her life was cut short at age 23 … [bio]
![Gene Lockhart]()
![Ralph Forbes]()
![Jesse Owens]()
Jesse Owens (1980)Legendary African American athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, dramatically challenging Nazi racial ideology by...
What day of the year is March 31?
March 31st marks the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 91st in case of leap years).
There are 275 days remaining until the end of the year.
March 31st is the 31st day of the month of March.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day March 31?
The zodiac sign associated with March 31st is Aries according to the Western Zodiac.
