Bank Robberies, New Life, and Lost Planets!
Welcome to History's Not Boring for March 19th! Today we’re checking out a first-of-its-kind crime in America, a huge leap for women's rights, and the day an explorer got a very nasty surprise from his own crew. Get ready to jump through time with us!
Did you know that on this day in 1911, the very first International Women's Day was celebrated? Millions marched for the right to vote and work! Plus, way back in 1915, astronomers snapped the first photo of a distant object that we now know as Pluto. Talk about making history on two very different frontiers!
What Happened on This Day
America's Very First Bank Robbery!
Imagine a bank heist so bold it became a history book first! On March 19, 1831, robbers hit the City Bank in New York, making off with a whopping $245,000 in cash and notes. That’s like stealing a small fortune today! Even though a $5,000 reward was offered, the crooks vanished like smoke. The money was mostly recovered later, but the shock of America’s first big bank robbery echoed for years.
Founding of the Massachusetts Colony!
Imagine packing your bags and sailing across a huge ocean to start a brand new town! On March 19, 1628, English settlers officially founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. These brave folks were looking for a place to practice their own way of life without being told what to do by the King. It was a massive journey that helped lay the groundwork for one of the first major colonies in what would become the United States.
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The First International Women's Day!
Forget flowers and chocolates—this day was about demanding rights! On March 19, 1911, the very first International Women's Day was observed across Europe. Over a million people marched and rallied, demanding things like the right to vote and better working conditions. It was a massive, history-making moment where women (and their supporters!) shouted loud and clear that they deserved an equal seat at the table. Girl power for the win!
Explorer La Salle Murdered by His Crew!
This is one for the 'be nice to your teammates' history lesson! French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, was searching for the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River when his own crew got fed up. They murdered him in what is now Texas! Imagine being the leader and having your own explorers turn on you in the wilderness. It was a dramatic and sad end to a great adventure.
The Iraq War Begins
On March 19, 2003, the world watched as the US-led coalition launched air strikes on Baghdad, starting the Iraq War. This was a major, modern military action meant to remove Saddam Hussein from power. It was a huge moment in recent history that changed the map and politics of the Middle East for years to come. Wars are never simple, and this day marked the start of a long and complicated chapter.
Fun Facts About March 19
- Pluto was first photographed on March 19, 1915, but nobody knew what it was back then!
- In 1994, a massive omelet weighing over 6 tons was cooked in Japan using 160,000 eggs!
- Nevada legalized gambling on this day in 1931, paving the way for Las Vegas!
- In 1702, Anne Stuart became Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
A Look Back in Time
March 19th often lands close to spring, which has always been a time of new beginnings, whether it’s founding new colonies like the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628 or the start of major global conflicts like the Iraq War in 2003. The early 20th century saw a huge push for social change, highlighted by the first International Women's Day rallies. It’s a day where exploration, both of the physical world (like La Salle’s ill-fated journey) and the cosmos (Pluto's first snapshot), collides with law-making and even crime!
Born on This Day
Bruce Willis
This action movie superstar, famous for playing tough-guy cops and saving the world in films like *Die Hard*, was born on this day! He’s also known for his role in the mind-bending movie *The Sixth Sense*. What a legacy!
Glenn Close
A highly celebrated actress of stage and screen, Glenn Close has been nominated for many major awards! You might know her from movies like *101 Dalmatians* (as Cruella de Vil!) or from her intense TV roles. She’s famous for bringing powerful characters to life.
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp was a legendary lawman in the American Old West, famous for his involvement in the O.K. Corral gunfight. He was a tough peace officer who lived through some of the wildest times in American frontier history. Imagine being a sheriff with that kind of reputation!
Sir Walter Norman Haworth
This British chemist was a brainiac who helped us understand sugar! He shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for figuring out the structure of things like Vitamin C. He actually died on his birthday! Talk about a sweet dedication to science.
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