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: New York state legalized recreational marijuana use through legislation signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. While the law was passed, actual sales were not permitted for 18 months following the signing, allowing time for regulatory framework development.
- 2008: Jules Dassin, a prominent American film director known for his influential work in Hollywood and European cinema, passed away. Born in 1911, Dassin was a significant figure in the film industry, particularly noted for his contributions to film noir and international cinema.
- 2006: After a comprehensive vote-counting process, Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions secured a plurality in the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election, as confirmed by the Central Election Commission of Ukraine.
- 2000: At its annual meeting, the jury of the German Academy of Language and Literature awarded the prestigious Büchner Prize to writer Volker Braun, recognizing his significant contributions to German literature.
- 1994: Actor James Farentino pleaded no contest to stalking charges involving his ex-girlfriend Tina Sinatra, highlighting issues of celebrity personal conduct and legal accountability.
- 1990: Dionisio Castro sets a world record by cycling 20 km in 57:18.4, demonstrating exceptional athletic performance and endurance.
- 1987: In a thrilling finale of the 49th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Syracuse Orangemen in a nail-biting match with a final score of 74-73. The game was a testament to the skill, determination, and competitive spirit of college basketball during the late 1980s.
- 1985: Jeanine Deckers, known as the Singing Nun, passed away. She was a Belgian nun famous for her 1963 hit song 'Dominique'.
- 1977: Hamaas Abdul Khaalis was released on his own recognizance following a significant hostage crisis involving the Hanafi Muslim group in Washington D.C. The incident involved the seizure of 134 hostages, marking a tense moment in urban terrorism and religious extremism in the United States.
- 1975: On March 31, 1975, UCLA won its 10th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in 12 years, defeating Kentucky 92-55 in legendary coach John Wooden's final game. This remarkable victory solidified UCLA's dominance in college basketball during the 1960s and early 1970s, with Wooden establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in sports history.
What famous birthdays are on March 31?
On March 31st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Ewan McGregor]()
Ewan McGregor (1971)Scottish actor renowned for his versatile roles in films like 'Trainspotting' and the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where he portrayed Obi-Wan...
![Christopher Walken]()
Christopher Walken (1943)Iconic American actor known for his distinctive acting style and memorable performances in films like The Deer Hunter and Pulp Fiction.
![Richard Chamberlain]()
Richard Chamberlain (1934)Renowned American actor famous for TV series 'Dr. Kildare' and miniseries 'Shogun' and 'The Thornbirds'.
![Gabe Kaplan]()
Gabe Kaplan (1945)American comedian and actor best known for starring in the popular TV sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter' during the 1970s.
![Alejandro Amenábar]()
Alejandro Amenábar (1972)Renowned Chilean-Spanish film director and screenwriter known for critically acclaimed movies like 'The Others' and 'Open Your Eyes'.
![Dermot Morgan]()
Dermot Morgan (1952)Renowned Irish comedian and actor best known for his iconic role as Father Ted Crilly in the popular comedy series 'Father Ted', which...
![William Daniels]()
William Daniels (1927)Renowned American actor known for roles in '1776' and TV series like 'St. Elsewhere' and 'Boy Meets World'.
![Rhea Perlman]()
Rhea Perlman (1948)Emmy Award-winning actress best known for her iconic role as Carla Tortelli in the popular sitcom 'Cheers'.
![Shirley Jones]()
Shirley Jones (1934)Acclaimed American actress and singer who starred in classic musicals like 'Oklahoma', 'Carousel', and 'The Music Man'.
![Jessica Szohr]()
Jessica Szohr (1985)American actress known for her role in the popular TV series 'Gossip Girl' and various film appearances.
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:
![Brandon Lee]()
Brandon Lee (1993)Brandon Lee was an American actor and martial artist, son of Bruce Lee, tragically killed during the filming of 'The Crow' in 1993 due to an...
![Meena Kumari]()
Meena Kumari (1972)Legendary Indian actress known as the 'Tragedy Queen' of Bollywood, who made significant contributions to Hindi cinema during the 1950s and...
![Ronnie Corbett]()
Ronnie Corbett (2016)Beloved Scottish comedian famous for 'The Two Ronnies' comedy sketch show, known for his witty humor and distinctive short stature.
![Anne Gwynne]()
Anne Gwynne (2003)American film actress and pin-up model who was prominent during the 1940s, known for her roles in horror and western films.
![Gene Lockhart]()
![Ralph Forbes]()
- Anne Frank (1945)
German-Dutch Jewish teenager who wrote a powerful diary documenting her life in hiding during the Holocaust.
- Selena Quintanilla (1995)
Renowned Mexican-American singer tragically murdered at the height of her career, remembered as the 'Queen of Tejano Music' who broke...
- 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.
