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March 31, 2024 Holiday:

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a joyous celebration that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian faith. This festive holiday is marked by vibrant traditions, including the iconic Easter egg, which symbolizes new life and renewal. Families and friends gather together to share in the joy of the occasion, often exchanging gifts, enjoying delicious treats, and participating in lively Easter egg hunts. The holiday is also associated with the Easter bunny, a beloved character said to deliver eggs and candy to children on Easter morning. Overall, Easter Sunday is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration with loved ones.

Learn more about Easter Sunday
Holidays on March 31, 2024:

Daylight Saving Time starts

Daylight Saving Time starts 3/31/2024: Learn how this tradition promotes energy savings, productivity, and well-being while making the most of natural daylight. more >>

International Transgender Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility, 3/31/2024: A day to amplify transgender voices, share stories, and promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity. more >>

Cesar Chavez Day

Cesar Chavez Day, 3/31/2024, honors labor leader's fight for social justice, equality, and nonviolence, with parades, rallies, and community events. more >>
Birthdays on March 31:

Al Gore

76 Years Old

The 45th Vice President of the United States and Nobel Prize laureate is a prominent advocate for environmental protection, particularly climate change awareness, and has produced ...

Christopher Walken

81 Years Old

Academy Award-winning actor renowned for his intense, eccentric performances in iconic films like "The Deer Hunter" and "Pulp Fiction". Known for his distinctive voice and captivat...

Ewan McGregor

53 Years Old

A talented actor who has played iconic roles in films like Star Wars and Moulin Rouge, bringing memorable characters to life on the big screen.

Gordie Howe

Died in 2016, aged 88

Legendary hockey player known for his incredible on-ice longevity, playing professionally until age 52, and scoring over 800 goals in his career.

Herb Alpert

89 Years Old

A legendary musician and entrepreneur, known for his iconic trumpet playing and founding A&M Records, which signed famous artists like The Carpenters and Cat Stevens.

Angus Young

69 Years Old

Lead guitarist and co-founder of the iconic rock band AC/DC, known for his energetic live performances and signature schoolboy uniform. He's a hard rock legend and a major influenc...

Evan Williams

52 Years Old

Co-founder of Twitter and Pyra Labs, a pioneer in microblogging and social media, revolutionizing the way people communicate and share information online.

William Daniels

97 Years Old

A Tony Award-winning actor best known for his iconic roles as Mr. Feeny in the TV show "Boy Meets World" and as the voice of KITT in the TV series "Knight Rider".

Edwin Catmull

79 Years Old

Pioneering computer scientist and engineer behind Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, revolutionizing computer-generated imagery (CGI) in film and entertainm...

Howard Gordon

63 Years Old

Creator of iconic TV shows like 24 and Homeland, known for crafting suspenseful, timely, and thought-provoking stories that captivate global audiences.

Liza Koshy

28 Years Old

A social media sensation turned actress, comedian, and TV host, known for her goofy humor and relatable content, entertaining millions across various platforms.

Barney Frank

84 Years Old

A prominent figure in American politics, known for championing LGBTQ+ rights and financial reform, serving as a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts for over 30 years.

Events from History on March 31:
85 years ago
British Pledge to Defend Poland Against Nazi Germany (London, United Kingdom) 1939
Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, boldly steps forward to guarantee military support to Poland in the face of a looming Nazi threat. This unprecedented move marks a significant shift in Britain's policy of appeasement, signaling a readiness to confront Hitler's aggression head-on. The fate of war-torn Europe hangs in the balance as Chamberlain's commitment raises the stakes for Germany, Poland, and the entire continent.
33 years ago
The Warsaw Pact's dissolution marks the end of the Cold War (Prague, Czechoslovakia) 1991
As the last remnants of Soviet control crumbled, the once-feared Warsaw Pact, a military alliance of Eastern European communist states, officially disbanded on March 31, 1991. This monumental event marked the culmination of a series of revolutionary changes sweeping across Eastern Europe, as countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia broke free from Soviet shackles. The Pact's collapse signaled the end of the Cold War, ushering in a new era of global politics, where the Iron Curtain was no longer a dividing force. With the fall of communism, the world witnessed a significant shift in the global balance of power.
170 years ago
Commodore Matthew Perry forces Japan to open to US trade (Kanagawa, Japan) 1854
Commodore Matthew Perry's mighty "Black Ships" sailed into Edo Bay, Japanese officials initially refused to engage, but Perry's persistence paid off when the Tokugawa Shogunate agreed to the Convention of Kanagawa, opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American trade, marking a historic shift in Japan's isolationist policies.
210 years ago
Napoleon's Grande Armée surrenders to The Sixth Coalition (Paris, France) 1814
The game was over for Napoleon's mighty empire as his once-invincible Grande Armée, exhausted and dwindling, surrendered to the combined forces of The Sixth Coalition, marking a decisive victory for the coalition. Tsar Alexander I of Russia, King Frederick William III of Prussia, and their allies had been hot on Napoleon's heels, pushing him back from the Rhine to the gates of Paris. As the French capital fell, Coalition forces poured in, and the French army, once the masters of Europe, were forced to surrender, marking the beginning of the end of Napoleon's reign.
532 years ago
Queen Isabella expels Jews and Muslims from Spain (Alhambra, Granada, Spain) 1492
The tolerance of medieval Spain had worn thin by the late 15th century, and Queen Isabella I of Castile, fueled by her devout Catholicism, made a draconian decree that would change the course of history. On March 31, 1492, she issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering approximately 150,000 Jewish and Muslim subjects to convert to Christianity or face exile from Spain. This brutal edict marked the beginning of a dark chapter in Spanish history, as Jews and Muslims, many of whom had lived in Spain for centuries, were forced to choose between their faith and their homeland.
91 years ago
Roosevelt establishes Civilian Conservation Corps to combat unemployment (USA) 1933
In the midst of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took bold action to address the crippling unemployment crisis. He established the Civilian Conservation Corps, a revolutionary program that would put young men to work on conservation and infrastructure projects across the country. This innovative initiative not only provided much-needed jobs but also helped restore America's natural beauty and shape the nation's environmental landscape.
Notable Deaths on March 31:
1995Selena American Latin pop sensation
1993Brandon Lee American actor and martial arts expert
2019Nipsey Hussle Talented American rapper who shared his music and message with the world.
1980Jesse Owens American track legend and record-breaker
2008Jules Dassin Multitalented filmmaker who brought stories to life on the big screen
1998Bella Abzug American lawyer, activist, and trailblazing leader
1978Charles Best Pioneering researcher who unlocked the secrets of insulin production
2016Ronnie Corbett Scottish comedian who brought laughter and joy to audiences through his wit and on-screen presence.
1986Jerry Paris American actor and director of comedic talent
2022Patrick Demarchelier Renowned French fashion photographer who captured beauty and elegance through his lens.
2016Zaha Hadid Iraqi-born British architect who redefined modern design with her innovative and futuristic structures.
1855Charlotte Brontë English novelist and poet of the Brontë sisters
1547Francis I King of France who launched the League of the Holy League and waged war against the Ottoman Empire
2001David Rocastle Talented English soccer player with a storied career
2024Barbara Rush Veteran of Hollywood's Golden Age
2021Ken Reitz American baseball legend who left his mark on the sport.
2017James Rosenquist American painter who explored the human condition through his abstract and vibrant works of art.
1837John Constable English painter who created iconic landscapes of the English countryside
2016Denise Robertson British journalist and television personality who shared human stories with compassion and empathy.
2004Scott Helvenston Heroic soldier who gave his life in service to his country