21 fun facts for March, 28
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
March 28th is filled with interesting and diverse events, from historical milestones such as the first sighting of Florida by Juan Ponce de León to fun food-themed days like National Something on a Stick Day. Among other events are the launch of the world's first commercial tidal power plant, the invention of Scrabble, and the births of notable figures like Reba McEntire and Lady Gaga.
21 Fun facts
- On March 28, 1979, America experienced its worst nuclear accident - the Three Mile Island partial core meltdown. The incident took place in Pennsylvania when a cooling malfunction resulted in a partial core meltdown, although there were no immediate injuries or adverse health effects for the public.
- March 28th is National Black Forest Cake Day in the United States. This popular dessert combines layers of chocolate cake with cherries, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings, and is inspired by the Black Forest region in Germany.
- The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León first sighted Florida on March 28, 1513. He claimed the land for Spain and named it La Florida, which means "land of flowers."
- On March 28, 2005, Earthquake of magnitude 8.7 struck off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. This was the second-largest earthquake in a span of three months on December 26, 2004, the first one being 9.1 magnitude.
- March 28th is National Something on a Stick Day in the United States. This fun and quirky holiday encourages people to enjoy an assortment of food items served on a stick, such as kebabs, fruit skewers, and popsicles.
- In 1930, on this day, the city of Constantinople officially changed its name to Istanbul, as the new Republic of Turkey aimed to modernize itself and erase the cultural remnants of the Ottoman Empire.
- The world's first commercial tidal power plant began operating in France on March 28, 1966. The Rance Tidal Power Station still operates today, generating electricity from the rise and fall of ocean tides.
- In 1797, on March 28th, Nathaniel Briggs patented the washing machine in the United States, making laundry just a little easier for households across the country.
- March 28 is recognized as National Weed Appreciation Day, which is not about drugs, but refers to the essential role weeds play in nature. Many weeds, like dandelions, are great pollinators and attract insects to gardens, while others are edible for humans.
- On March 28, 1939, the last Republican troops in Spain surrendered to the Nationalist forces, marking the end of the Spanish Civil War. This conflict resulted in the establishment of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship.
- Venezuela observes the National Day of Zulianity on March 28. This holiday celebrates the rich cultural heritage and history of the Zulia region, located in the northwest of Venezuela.
- March 28, 1910, marks the first-ever nighttime airplane flight, performed by French aviator Henri Fabre. His seaplane, the Fabre Hydravion, took off from the surface of a lake, making this a significant milestone in aviation history.
- The popular board game "Scrabble" was trademarked by Alfred Mosher Butts on March 28, 1948. Today, the game is played by millions of people worldwide and has sold over 150 million sets.
- On March 28, 1854, during the Crimean War, Great Britain and France declared war on Russia. This conflict resulted in significant changes to the balance of power in Europe and paved the way for further military reforms.
- Maria Sklodowska Curie received her second Nobel Prize in Chemistry on March 28, 1911. This made her the first person to win multiple Nobel Prizes in different categories, as her first award was in Physics in 1903.
- On March 28, 1942, British Commandos led the St Nazaire Raid, a daring attack on the Normandie dock in occupied France. This was a vital strategic operation during World War II, aimed at preventing German battleships from using the dry dock for repairs.
- Each year on March 28, Serfs Emancipation Day is commemorated in Tibet. This day marks the historical moment in 1959 when around 1 million serfs were granted freedom from serfdom, transforming them into free citizens in their land.
- Thomas Francis Eagleton, a U.S. senator from Missouri, was born on March 28, 1929. He is best known as a vice presidential nominee in the 1972 United States presidential election, alongside Democratic candidate George McGovern.
- On March 28, 1935, the legendary country music singer and performer Reba McEntire was born. Throughout her career, she has sold over 80 million records and won numerous awards, making her one of the best-selling musical artists of all time.
- March 28, 1986, is the birthdate of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga. This American singer-songwriter and actress has won numerous awards and is known for her powerful vocals and distinctive style in music and fashion.
- In 1964, on March 28th, the Alaskan Earthquake, also known as the Good Friday Earthquake, occurred, with a magnitude of 9.2. It remains the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North American history and the second most powerful earthquake in world history.