Abdication
Nikephoros Botaneiates gained the support of the Seljuk Turks reaches Constantinople, Michael VII resigns the throne with hardly a struggle
historysearch.co.uk visitor counter—
On this date in world history
March 31 in History
This permanent archive page contains 191 World History Database records for March 31, spanning 1074 to 2024. Recorded topics include Abdication; Coup; Siege of Constantinople.
Total: 191Events: 177Births: 8Deaths: 3Battles: 3Countries: 34
Events on March 31
Abdication
Retires to the monastery of Stoudios
Coup
Nikephoros Botaneiates gained the support of the Seljuk Turks reaches Constantinople, Michael VII resigns the throne with hardly a struggle
Coup
Nikephoros Botaneiates gained the support of the Seljuk Turks reaches Constantinople, Michael VII resigns the throne with hardly a struggle
Siege of Constantinople
Nikephoros Botaneiates gained the support of the Seljuk Turks reaches Constantinople, Michael VII resigns the throne with hardly a struggle
Trial
The Earl of Warwick & the Duke of Clarence are declared traitors by Edward IV
Holy League
The Holy League of the Republic of Venice, the Duke of Milan, the Pope, the Spanish King, the English King & Maximilian I. The Holy League is formed to repulse Charles VIIIs invasion of Italy
Invasion of Italy
The Holy League is formed to repulse Charles VIIIs invasion of Italy
Parliament
Edward VI's second Parliament closes after a short final session of the reign.
Recovery of Scarborough
Hotham helps recover Scarborough for Parliament after Sir Hugh Cholmley changes allegiance to the Royalists.
Interregnum
Widdrington presented the Humble Petition and Advice offering Cromwell a revised constitution.
Hanoverian Succession
The Treaty of Utrecht recognises the Hanoverian succession in Great Britain.
Treaty of Utrecht
The Treaty of Utrecht recognises the Hanoverian succession in Great Britain.
Closes Boston harbour until the East India Company is reimbursed for lost
Closes Boston harbour until the East India Company is reimbursed for lost tea
Sanctions
Closes Boston harbour until the East India Company is reimbursed for lost tea
Discovery of Uranus
Discovers Uranus using a home made telescope from his back garden in Bath
Arrest of Georges Jacques Danton
Arrested for conspiring with foreign monarchs & links to the India company scandal
Arrest of Georges Jacques Danton
Georges Jacques Danton was arrested for conspiring with foreign monarchs and links to the India company scandal.
Dantonist Crisis
Desmoulins is imprisoned with the Dantonists after calling for clemency and attacking revolutionary excess
Dantonist Crisis
Desmoulins is imprisoned with the Dantonists after calling for clemency and attacking revolutionary excess.
Scandal
Arrested for conspiring with foreign monarchs & links to the India company scandal
Reinstatement of Girondin Deputies
Sieyes helped secure the reinstatement of deputies previously arrested as associates of the Girondins.
Capture of Paris
Napoleon rejects an Allied peace offer with France's natural borders. As the Allies approach Paris they only offer France its "the pre-revolutionary limits"
Entry into Paris
Enters Paris with the allied sovereigns after coalition armies defeat Napoleon's forces in France.
Brunel Injured during Great Western Fire
Brunel is injured after falling about twenty feet during the confusion surrounding the Great Western engine-room fire.
Great Western Engine-Room Fire Contained
An engine-room fire breaks out as Great Western prepares for her maiden Atlantic voyage but is extinguished with limited ship damage.
End of Sylvain Van de Weyer Government
The Sylvain Van de Weyer Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as head of the Belgian government.
Second de Theux Government
Begins the Second de Theux Government in Brussels and serves as head of the Belgian government.
Eiffel Tower
French engineer Gustave Eiffel unfurls the French tricolor from atop the Eiffel Tower, officially marking its completion. Constructed of 7,000 tons of iron and steel, the 984-foot structure was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exhibition of 1889, commemorating the centennial of the French Revolution
Eiffel Tower Completed
Completes the iron tower built for the Paris exposition.
Exposition Universelle Landmark
Demonstrates large-scale prefabricated iron construction and wind-resistant engineering.
Paris Exhibition
Constructed of 7,000 tons of iron and steel, the 984-foot structure was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exhibition of 1889, commemorating the centennial of the French Revolution
Bjorn Jonsson Ministry
Begins the Bjorn Jonsson Ministry and serves as Minister for Iceland.
End of First Hannes Hafstein Ministry
The First Hannes Hafstein Ministry ends, concluding this period as Minister for Iceland.
Prime Minister of Iceland
Appointed Prime Minister of Iceland
Titanic Keel Laid
Titanic's keel is laid at Harland and Wolff, beginning construction of Yard Number 401.
Constitution of Great Britain
Government proposals to reform the House of Lords is introduced to Parliament
Lords Reform Proposals Introduced
Government proposals to reform the House of Lords are introduced to Parliament.
Demobilization
Stays on the Army payroll until 31st March 1920
Food Ministry Appointment
Joins Wirth's cabinet as Minister for Food and Agriculture after Andreas Hermes moves to the Finance Ministry.
Government Ends
His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.
Prime Minister
Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.
Gleichschaltung
Oversees the first coordination law that reshapes state parliaments according to the Reichstag election result.
Alliance Neville Chamberlain and Poland
Britain & France pledge to support Poland
Anglo French Assurance Pact
Britain and France guarantee Polands defense (Anglo French Assurance Pact), a pact with Poland to come to their defense if Germany attacked
Peace
The last of the Republican resistance comes to an end
Atlantic Patrol
Tazzoli returns to Le Verdon after a 56-day Atlantic patrol in which Fecia di Cossato's submarine sank six merchant ships.
Beaver
US D-Day beach landing training exercise (Operation Beaver) at Slapton Sands, Devon, demonstrate a dangerous lack of coordination between units
Commander of Army Group Ukraine
Appointed Commander of the Army Group Ukraine
Commander of Army Group Ukraine
Appointed Commander of the Army Group Ukraine
Operation Overlord
US D-Day beach landing training exercise (Operation Beaver) at Slapton Sands, Devon, demonstrate a dangerous lack of coordination between units
Red Army
Hubes southern advanced guard turned and halted the Red Army assault, severing its supply lines and rendering the T-34s of the 4th Tank Army immobile
Occupation
Asks Eisenhower why the Americans are leaving Berlin to the Russians
End of Second Paul-Henri Spaak Government
The Second Paul-Henri Spaak Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as Prime Minister of Belgium.
Postwar Parliamentary Election
The People's Party wins the first national election after liberation.
Third Van Acker Government
Begins the Third Van Acker Government in Brussels and serves as Prime Minister of Belgium.
Reform of Education
Fundemental Law of Education
Newfoundland Joins Confederation
Welcomes Newfoundland as Canada tenth province.
Unification
The province of Newfoundland is added to the Canadian Confederation
Trial
Please "guilty", in spite of the fact that he felt no remorse or guilt for having committed acts of homosexuality, Turing is convicted and given a choice between imprisonment and probation, which would be conditional on his agreement to undergo hormonal treatment designed to reduce libido, accepts treatment via injections of stilboestrol, a synthetic oestrogen
Eliane Fighting
Fighting intensifies around the Eliane strongpoints
Arms Delivery
Huber Matos arrives in the Sierra Maestra with a planeload of weapons and ammunition obtained with support from Costa Rican President José Figueres.
General Election
Wins a landslide federal majority.
General Election - General Election
Wins a landslide federal majority.
General Election Election Outcome
General election outcome recorded for John Diefenbaker: Wins a landslide federal majority.
General Election Government
Government context for this general election: Wins a landslide federal majority.
Pass Laws
1st day of the ANC campaign against the Pass Laws
Pass Laws
Anti-Pass Law deptutations are sent to local authorities
Backyard Photos
According to Mohrenschildt, the photograph was not found among his stored papers until he and his wife found it in February 1967. When analyzed by the HSCA in 1977, this photo turned out to be a first generation print of the backyard photo already known to the Warren Commission as "CE-133A" and which had probably been taken on March 31, 1963
Backyard Photos
When shown the pictures at Dallas Police headquarters after his arrest, Oswald insists they are fakes, however, Marina Oswald testifies in 1964 and 1978 that she took the photographs at Oswalds request. The "backyard photos," taken by Marina Oswald, show Oswald dressed all in black and holding two Marxist newsletters - The Militant and The Worker - in one hand, a rifle in the other
Bebington Election Defeat
Loses the Bebington constituency at the 1966 general election and returns to legal practice.
Election
The Conservatives win 41.9% of votes cast & 253 seats. Loses the general election by 97 seats
Election
The Labour Party wins 48 percent of votes cast & 364 MPs. Labour wins with 363 seats to 253 Tory, 12 Liberal & 2 others, a majority of 97
General Election
Retains Coventry East when Labour increases its parliamentary majority.
General Election
Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.
General Election
Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.
General Election - General Election
Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.
General Election - General Election
Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.
General Election Defeat
Leads the Conservatives in the 1966 general election but loses to Harold Wilson.
General Election Election Outcome
General election outcome recorded for Michael Mackintosh Foot: Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.
General Election Election Outcome
General election outcome recorded for Roy Harris Jenkins: Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.
General Election Government
Government context for this general election: Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.
General Election Government
Government context for this general election: Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.
Bombing Halt
Announces a partial bombing halt and says he will not seek reelection
Bombing Halt and Withdrawal
Announces a partial bombing halt and says he will not seek reelection
Bombing of Vietnam
Announces cessation of bombing north of the Twentieth parallel to negotiate a solution
Election
President Johnson announces he will not seek re-election
Retirement
Announces decision to retire
Constitution of Pakistan
Becomes President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islamic Republic
Becomes President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islamic Republic
The state remains the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during Yahya Khan's rule.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Becomes President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Yahya Khan governs the Islamic Republic under martial law.
President of Pakistan
Becomes President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
President of Pakistan
Yahya Khan formally assumes the office of President.
President of Pakistan
Yahya Khan's formal presidency follows his assumption of military power.
Massacre
Convicted by a military tribunal of killing civilians at My Lai
Massacre
William Calley is sentenced to life in prison, reduced to 20 yrs
Trial
William Calley is sentenced to life in prison, reduced to 20 yrs. Convicted by a military tribunal of killing civilians at My Lai
Sunshine On My Shoulders
John Denver reaches the top spot on the US charts with, "Sunshine On My Shoulders"
Advance toward Saigon Ordered
Ordered by the Politburo in Hanoi to push toward Saigon
Prime Minister of Turkey
Appointed Prime Minister of Turkey, 2nd term
Presence
Releases Presence, recorded while Plant recovered from injuries.
Arab League
The Arab League suspends Egypt following its Treaty with Israel
Islamic Republic Referendum
Bazargan's provisional government administers the referendum on creating an Islamic Republic
The Staircase Chart Entry
The Staircase Mystery enters the Official Singles Chart and reaches number twenty-four.
Treaty Negotiations
The Arab League suspends Egypt following its Treaty with Israel
Economy of Japan
Japan has a record trade deficit of $14.4 billion
End of First to Fourth Martens Governments
The First to Fourth Martens Governments ends in Brussels, concluding this period as Prime Minister of Belgium.
Greater London Council Housing Transfer
Takes part in Commons proceedings on transfer of Greater London Council housing.
3 Commando Brigade Mobilization
Includes 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines in the force package required to recover the Falkland Islands.
Acting Defence Staff Bypass
Chooses to take his naval assessment directly to ministers rather than leave the issue with the acting Chief of the Defence Staff.
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
Governor Rex Hunt is informed Britain believes Argentina is planning a submarine landing on the Islands as a means of increasing pressure over South Georgia
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Henry Leach advises a crisis meeting headed by Margaret Thatcher that Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded.
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
At a crisis meeting headed by Thatcher, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Henry Leach advises that Britain can and should send a task force if the islands are invaded.
Ark Royal Availability
Explains that the former aircraft carrier Ark Royal is no longer available and that the new carrier of that name will not be ready for years.
Chief of Defence Staff Absence
Acts during the crisis while Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Terence Lewin is returning from an official visit to New Zealand.
Defence Secretary Search
Goes to find Defence Secretary John Nott after deciding that the government's current operational advice understates what the Navy can do.
Fleet Readiness Call
Telephones Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral John Fieldhouse to establish the readiness of the fleet before pressing the case for a South Atlantic operation.
Full Dress Uniform Intervention
Arrives at the Falklands crisis meeting in full naval uniform after returning from a Portsmouth engagement, making a conspicuous intervention in the discussion.
HMS Fearless Requirement
Includes the assault ship HMS Fearless among the amphibious capabilities needed for a force capable of retaking the islands.
HMS Hermes Requirement
Identifies HMS Hermes as one of the two aircraft carriers required for the expeditionary force being assembled for the South Atlantic.
HMS Intrepid Requirement
Includes the assault ship HMS Intrepid among the amphibious capabilities required for the projected South Atlantic campaign.
HMS Invincible Requirement
Identifies HMS Invincible as one of the two aircraft carriers required to provide air cover for the projected Falklands operation.
House of Commons Intervention
Follows John Nott to the House of Commons and seeks admission to the ministerial meeting considering the Falklands crisis.
Intelligence Brief Review
Reviews intelligence material indicating that an Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands is becoming imminent.
Invasion of Falklands
Violent anti-Government riots occur across Argentina. The Junta takes final decision to invade the Islands on 2 April
Invasion Warning
Is warned that an Argentine landing may be imminent.
Junta Invasion Decision
Participates in the junta decision that commits Argentina to the military seizure of the islands.
National Credibility Warning
Argues that failing to respond effectively to the seizure of the islands would seriously diminish Britain's international credibility.
National Mobilization Requirement
Warns that mounting the operation will require a major national effort extending beyond the ships immediately available to the Royal Navy.
Naval Response Judgment
Concludes that if Argentina occupies the islands the Royal Navy should be used to recover them rather than accept the occupation as irreversible.
Operational Brief Review
Finds the operational advice circulating in the Ministry of Defence excessively pessimistic about Britain's ability to respond to an Argentine occupation.
Operational Risk Assessment
Describes the proposed attempt to recover the Falklands as an operation involving considerable risk but judges that the risk should be taken.
Robben Island Imprisonment Ends
Leaves Robben Island after eighteen years of imprisonment.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mobilization
Includes Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships as an essential part of the fuel, stores, transport, and replenishment system for the task force.
Sea Harrier Mobilization
Calls for all operational Sea Harriers that can be made available to support the carrier force sent toward the Falklands.
South Atlantic Transit Estimate
Explains that the force would require about three weeks, rather than a few days, to reach the South Atlantic operating area.
Surface Fleet Mobilization
Plans to draw heavily on the operational surface fleet to provide escorts and combat power for the South Atlantic force.
Task Force Assembly Authority
Receives Margaret Thatcher's authority to begin assembling the naval task force after giving his assessment of the operation's feasibility.
Task Force Mobilization Estimate
Advises that a naval task force can be mobilized to sail within roughly 48 hours despite the scale of the emergency.
Thatcher telegraphs American President Ronald Reagan asking him to warn the Argentines
Thatcher telegraphs American President Ronald Reagan asking him to warn the Argentines off
Transfer to Pollsmoor Prison
Is transferred from Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison.
Two-Carrier Air Cover Plan
Judges that the Falklands can still be recovered using the two available small aircraft carriers to provide naval air cover.
Government
Reagan halts sale of F-16 fighters to Israel until its troops withdraw from Lebanon
Kvant-1 Module Launch
Oversees Mir preparations as the Kvant-1 astrophysics module launches toward the station to expand its scientific capabilities.
World Record
Vincent van Goghs Sunflowers sell for $39.85 million, more than triple the record for an auctioned painting
Poll Tax Riot
Anti-poll-tax campaigning feeds the mass London demonstration.
Poll Tax Riot
Poll Tax demonstrations in Trafalgar Square lead to arrests and damage.
Poll Tax Riot
The anti-poll-tax demonstration turns violent in Trafalgar Square.
Hillsborough Disaster
After an 80-day inquest - longest in British legal history - returns verdicts of accidental death
Human Touch
Releases Human Touch, one of two albums issued on the same day after the E Street Band period pauses.
Lucky Town
Releases Lucky Town, a more spontaneous companion album to Human Touch.
United Nations Resolution 748 Sanctions
The Security Council imposes sanctions after Libya refuses to surrender the Lockerbie suspects.
Agreement on Resume talks on Palestinian autonomy
The PLO and Israel agree to resume talks on Palestinian autonomy, more than a month after the Hebron mosque massacre
Independence of Israel
The PLO and Israel agree to resume talks on Palestinian autonomy, more than a month after the Hebron mosque massacre
Independence of Palestine
The PLO and Israel agree to resume talks on Palestinian autonomy, more than a month after the Hebron mosque massacre
Chechnya Peace Programme Announced
Announces a programme seeking a ceasefire, phased troop withdrawals and negotiations over the Chechen conflict.
START II
Putin calls for a quick ratification of the START II Nuclear arms reduction Treaty and deeper cuts in nuclear missiles
START II
Putin calls for a quick ratification of the START II Nuclear arms reduction Treaty and deeper cuts in nuclear missiles
Discovery of Makemake
Brown, Trujillo and Rabinowitz first observe the large Kuiper Belt object later named Makemake.
Parliamentary Election
ZANU-PF wins a large parliamentary majority in the national election.
Parliamentary Election Victory
ZANU-PF wins a two-thirds parliamentary majority in the national election.
Ban
New President Raul Castros Government lifts a ban on Cubans staying at hotels previously reserved for foreigners
Financial Regulation Plan
Proposes a broad redesign of financial regulation after months of credit-market stress
Premiership Ends
Tarlev resigns after nearly seven years as Prime Minister
Prime Minister Takes Office
Zinaida Greceanii becomes Moldova's first female Prime Minister
NATO Assumes Operation Command
NATO assumes command of international military operations enforcing the United Nations mandate.
Chairman Takes Office
Denis Zvizdic becomes Chairman of the Council of Ministers
First International Appearance
Begins his international career as a creative midfielder.
Portugal Senior Debut
Makes his senior Portugal debut against Cape Verde.
COVID-19
Declares a public health emergency over COVID-19.
Address to Netherlands Parliament
Asks Dutch lawmakers for weapons, sanctions and support for Ukraine's future inside the European Union.
Australian Parliament Address
Addresses Australia's Parliament and requests additional military assistance.
Lavrov India Visit
Discusses sanctions and energy ties during a visit to India.
2024 Continental Cup Final Winner
Scores in extra time as Arsenal defeat Chelsea 1-0 to retain the Women's League Cup.
Schengen Air and Sea Accession
Ciolacu leads the government as internal air and sea border checks are removed.
Births on March 31
Birth of Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes is born at La Haye en Touraine to Joachim Descartes and Jeanne Brochard.
Birth of Benedict XIV
Birth of Benedict XIV, Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini
Birth of Elisabeth Grummer
Elisabeth Grummer is born in German-administered Alsace-Lorraine.
German Soprano Born
The future German lyric soprano is born near Diedenhofen.
Birth of James Cleveland Jesse Owens
Birth of James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens
Birth of Walter Winterbottom
Birth of Walter Winterbottom
Birth of Volker Schlondorff
Birth of Volker Schlondorff.
Birth of Christopher Walken
Birth of Christopher Walken
Deaths on March 31
Death of Charlotte Bronte
Death of Charlotte Bronte
Death of Mineichi Koga
Death of Mineichi Koga, in an aircrash
Death of James Cleveland Jesse Owens
Death of James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens
Battles on March 31
Battle of Sanna's Post
Broadwood's mounted force is caught in De Wet's ambush at Sanna's Post and suffers heavy losses.
Battle of Sanna's Post
De Wet ambushes Broadwood's column at Sanna's Post and captures men, wagons and artillery.
Battle of Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket
Hubes southern advanced guard turned and halted the Red Army assault, severing its supply lines and rendering the T-34s of the 4th Tank Army immobile