Great Side Blog

March 31 marks the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, a joyous festival for Muslims worldwide. It signifies the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. Families come together to offer special prayers, share festive meals, and exchange greetings. Traditional sweets, new clothes, and acts of charity make the day even more special. Eid is a time of gratitude, unity, and spreading happiness with loved ones and the community. Every year on March 31, Eiffel Tower Day is observed to honour the tower's inaugural. On this day in 1889, the skyscraper was revealed to the public. And even after 134 years, this monument continues to charm thousands of tourists each day. 1824- The foundation of the third Calcutta Mint was laid on Strand Road and was opened for production from 1 August 1829. 1959- The 14th Dalai Lama, crosses the border into India and is granted political asylum. 1966- The Soviet Union launches Luna 10 which later becomes the first space probe to enter orbit around t...

March 30 is celebrated as Rajasthan Day across the state to mark the formation of the state of Rajasthan. On this day in 1949, the four states, namely Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer, joined with the United State of Rajasthan, and the region came to be known as Greater Rajasthan. 1861- Discovery of the chemical elements: Sir William Crookes announces his discovery of thallium. 1919- Mahatma Gandhi announced resistance against the Rowlatt Act. 1982- Space Shuttle program: STS-3 mission is completed with the landing of Columbia at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. 1992 - Satyajit Ray was awarded the Honorary Oscar Award in 1992. 2017- SpaceX conducts the world's first reflight of an orbital class rocket. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1899- Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay was an Indian Bengali-language writer. 1967-  Nagesh Kukunoor is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. Kukunoor has received seven International Awards, and two National ...

1857- Sepoy Mangal Pandey of the 34th Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry mutinies against the East India Company's rule in India and inspires the protracted Indian Rebellion of, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. 1871- Royal Albert Hall is opened by Queen Victoria. 1968- The funeral of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, started in Moscow, with thousands of people in attendance. 1974- NASA's Mariner 10 becomes the first space probe to fly by Mercury. 2004- The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat certifies Taipei 101 as the world's tallest building, based on the building having been topped out on July 1, 2003. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1913- Bhavani Prasad was a Hindi poet and author. He was honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his book Buni Hui Rassi. 1929- Utpal Dutt was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He received National Film Award for Best Actor in 1970. 1982- Anupam Roy is an Indian Bengali singer-songwrite...

1737- The Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I led his forces in a victorious campaign against the Mughal Empire, culminating in a decisive battle on the outskirts of Delhi, near Rikabganj. 1910- Henri Fabre becomes the first person to fly a seaplane. 1959- The State Council of the People's Republic of China dissolves The Government of Tibet. 2001- Athens International Airport (AIA) is the largest international airport in Greece, begins operation. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1868- Maxim Gorky was a Russian and Soviet writer and proponent of socialism. He was nominated five times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. 1907- Satyen Sen was a revolutionary, culture activist and historian of Bengali literature from Bangladesh. 1927- Vina Mazumdar was an Indian academician, left-wing activist and feminist. She was the founding Director of the Centre for Women's Development Studies (CWDS). 1928- Vayalar Ramavarma was an Indian poet and lyricist of Malayalam language. He r...

  World Theatre Day is celebrated on 27 March every year  to raise the importance of the art form “theatre” and to act as a wakeup call for governments, politicians, and institutions which have not yet recognised its value. 1871- The first international rugby match, when Scotland defeats England in Edinburgh at Raeburn Place. 1976- The first section of the Washington Metro opens to the public. 2019- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces the country is now a “space power” after successfully shooting down a satellite from space in a ballistic missile test. 2020- North Macedonia becomes the 30th member of NATO. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1917- Kamakhkhi Prasad Chattopadhyay, (pen name: Krittivas Ojha) was a famous poet and writer. His father, Basant Kumar Chattopadhyay was the first Indian Auditor General of independent India. 1923- Leela Dube was a renowned anthropologist and feminist scholar. 1960- Mallika Sengupta was a Bengali poet, feminis...

Every year, International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is observed on March 25 by the United Nation to commemorate the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett, who was a journalist and died while working for the UN.   1655- Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is discovered by Christiaan Huygens. 1898- Margaret formally became Sister Nivedita, when she was baptized by Swami Vivekananda. 1979- The first fully functional Space Shuttle orbiter, Columbia, is delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center to be prepared for its first launch. 1995- WikiWikiWeb, the world's first wiki, and part of the Portland Pattern Repository, is made public by Ward Cunningham. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1920- Usha Mehta was a Gandhian and freedom fighter of India. She is remembered for the Secret Congress Radio, an underground radio station, which functioned for few months during the Quit India Movement of 1942. 1933- Shyamal Gangopadhyay was a...

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is celebrated every year on 24 March annually to commemorate the date when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB in 1882. This year's theme, Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, is a bold call for hope, urgency, and accountability. Each year, on 24 March, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed. The U.N. also wants the world to use this day as a means to remember every single victim of human rights violations, and thus stand for the truth and justice in every instance. 1921- The 1921 Women's Olympiad began in Monte Carlo, becoming the first international women's sports event. 1977- Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister of India, the first Prime Minister not to belong to Indian National Congress. 2008- Bhutan officially becomes a democracy, with its first ever general election. Famous p...

World Water Day is an annual UN observance day that highlights the importance of freshwater. This day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day, is celebrated on March 22 to mark the formation of the state of Bihar. It is a public holiday in the state. On this day, the British carved out the state of Bihar from Bengal in 1912. 1739- Nader Shah occupies Delhi in India and sacks the city, stealing the jewels of the Peacock Throne. 1977- Indira Gandhi resigned as the Prime Minister of India. 1982- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia is launched from the Kennedy Space Center on its third mission, STS-3. 1993- The Intel Corporation ships the first Pentium chips (80586), featuring a 60 MHz clock speed, 100+ MIPS, and a 64 bit data path. 2020- India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi announced the country’s largest ever self-imposed curfew, called ‘Janata Curfew’. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1849- Annada Prasad B...

International Forest Day is celebrated every year on March 21. It was established under a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. The purpose of this day is to highlight the importance of forests and trees and to promote their conservation for present and future generations. World Poetry Day is observed every year on March 21, celebrating the enduring power of poetry as a universal form of human expression. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21st March, since declared by the United Nations in 1966. World Down Syndrome Day is observed every year on 21st March. Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement in human which results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health. 1836- The Calcutta Public Library began its journey on 21st March 1836. The Library was established for reference and lending, open to all, irrespective of the caste, race and r...

The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness, recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. World Sparrow Day is celebrated across the world on 20 March to raise awareness about the conservation of sparrows. World Oral Health Day is celebrated on 20 March to raise awareness about oral health. The theme of World Oral Health day 2025 is "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures". 1916- Albert Einstein submits his paper, "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity". 1952- The US Senate ratifies the Security Treaty Between the United States and Japan. 1987- The Food and Drug Administration approves the anti-AIDS drug, AZT. 2015- A Solar eclipse, equinox, and a supermoon all occur on the same day. Famous people who had r...

International Read To Me Day, on March 19th, brings people together to celebrate the magic of reading. It’s a day where kids are encouraged to ask adults to read out loud to them, spotlighting the importance of shared reading moments. This special event aims to spark a lifelong love for books among the young ones. 1920- The United States Senate rejects the Treaty of Versailles for the second time (the first time was on November 19, 1919). 1932- The Sydney Harbour Bridge is opened. 1944- World War II: The German army occupies Hungary. 2002- Zimbabwe is suspended from the Commonwealth for one year on charges of human rights abuses and of electoral fraud, following a turbulent presidential election. 2003- United States President George W. Bush addresses the nation, announcing the invasion of Iraq. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1901- Shailjananda Mukhopadhyay was a famous author of modernist fiction and a film director. 1984- Tanushree Dutta is an Indian former act...

Every year on March 18th, India commemorates Ordnance Factories Day, a day to recognise the significant contributions of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to the nation's defence needs. On this day production began at Gun and Shell Factory, Cossipore, Kolkata. 1922- In India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience, of which he serves only two. 1944- Mount Vesuvius in Italy erupts, killing 26 people, causing thousands to flee their homes, and destroying dozens of Allied bombers. 1968- The U.S. Congress repeals the requirement for a gold reserve to back US currency. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1901- Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay was a renowned novelist and film director. 1912- Bimal Mitra was an Indian writer in Bengali. One of his most popular works, Shaheb Bibi Golam (January 1953) which was adapted into a hugely popular movie. 1926- Himanish Goswami was an Indian writer, journalist, and cartoonist. 1938- Shashi K...

National Immunization Day (also called National Vaccination Day) is a nationwide healthcare event, typically observed on the 16th of March every year, intending to encourage the deserved recognition of the policymakers, the healthcare workers, as well as the other stakeholders and their works in conducting several successful vaccination drives. 1995- Mississippi formally ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, becoming the last state to approve the abolition of slavery. 2005- Israel officially hands over Jericho to Palestinian control. 2010- The Kasubi Tombs, Uganda's only cultural World Heritage Site, are destroyed in a fire. 2012- Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first batter in history to score 100 centuries in international cricket. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1880- Rajshekhar Basu, also known as Parashuram, was a Bengali writer, chemist, and lexicographer. 1949- Kabir Suman is an Indian music director...

World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15 March every year for raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. This day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected and to protest against social injustices. 1564- Mughal Emperor Akbar abolishes the jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects. 1877- First ever official cricket test match is played: Australia vs England at the MCG Stadium, in Melbourne, Australia. 1922- After Egypt gains nominal independence from the United Kingdom, Fuad I becomes King of Egypt. 1950- After India achieved independence, a formal model of planning was adopted, and accordingly the Planning Commission, reporting directly to the Prime Minister of India, was established on 15 March 1950, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the Chairman. 1990- Mikhail Gorbachev is elected as the first President of the Soviet Union. 2011- Beginning of the Syrian Civil War. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1856- Ish...

1876-  The first successful test of a telephone is made by Alexander Graham Bell. 1977- Astronomers discover the rings of Uranus. 1982- Syzygy: All nine planets recognized at this time - Mercury to Pluto - align on the same side of the Sun. 2006- The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter arrives at Mars. 2023- Silicon Valley Bank collapses due to a run on its deposits, in the second largest bank failure in US history. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1784- Sir Radhakanta Deb Bahadur was a scholar and a leader of the Calcutta conservative Hindu society, son of Gopimohan Deb of Shovabazar Raj. 1932- Udupi Ramachandra Rao, Indian space scientist and former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization. 1936- Joseph "Sepp" Blatter is a Swiss former football administrator who served as the eighth President of FIFA from 1998 to 2015. 1944- Samaresh Mazumdar was an Indian Bengali language writer from West Bengal. 1945- Madhavrao Jivajirao Scindia was an Indian polit...

2025 - India win 3rd ICC Champions Trophy, 2nd straight and another one joint in 2002 1959- The Barbie doll makes its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York. 1961- Sputnik 9 successfully launches, carrying a dog and a human dummy, and demonstrating that the Soviet Union was ready to begin human spaceflight. 1996- India won the World Cup Quarter Final match in Bangalore against Pakistan (Wills World Cup). Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1934- Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space. 1951- Ustad Zakir Hussain, eldest son of legendary tabla player, Ustad Allah Rakha, is an Indian tabla virtuoso, percussionist, composer, music producer, and film actor. 1956- Shashi Tharoor is an Indian former international civil servant, diplomat, bureaucrat, politician, a noted writer and public intellectual. 1970- Naveen Jindal is an Indian industrialist and former Member of Parliament. He c...

International Women's Day is observed globally every year on March 8 to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Purple, green and white are the colours of International Women's Day. Purple signifies justice, dignity and being loyal to the cause. Green symbolizes hope and white represents purity. 1910-  French aviator Raymonde de Laroche becomes the first woman to receive a pilot's license. 1942- World War II: Imperial Japanese Army forces captured Rangoon, Burma from British. 2004- A new constitution is signed by Iraq's Governing Council. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1908- Loknath Ball was an Indian independence activist and an armed revolutionary member of the Surya Sen who participated in the sack of the Chittagong Armoury. 1953- Vasundhara Raje Scindia is an Indian politician, who has held two terms as the chief minister of Rajasthan. 1989- Harmanpreet Kaur is an Indian cricketer who was also awarded wi...