Vikings, Volcanoes, and Flying Boats!
Get ready to set sail through time because March 28th has some wild stories! From ancient warriors sailing up rivers to scary nuclear warnings, this day is packed with action. We’ve got battles, big building projects, and even an early taste of air travel. History is definitely *not* boring today!
Did you know that on this day, the world's first weightlifting championship took place? Plus, a terrifying nuclear accident reminded everyone that science needs careful handling. It’s a day where both incredible physical strength and serious technological moments made headlines!
What Happened on This Day
Vikings Sack the City of Paris!
Imagine the Vikings sailing up the River Seine in their longships like they owned the place! In 845 AD, a huge fleet of Norse warriors showed up and basically took over Paris. They demanded a massive treasure of silver and gold to leave. It was a huge deal for the early French kingdom. Think of it as a very, very unwelcome surprise party that cost a king a fortune!
Learn more
Second Asteroid Ever Discovered by a Stargazer
While everyone was busy with wars and battles, astronomer Heinrich Olbers was looking through his telescope and spotted something new! He discovered 2 Pallas, the second asteroid ever found orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids are like giant space rocks, and finding one was a huge deal back then, proving there was more to our solar system than just the main planets.
First Seaplane Takes Off from Water
Before planes could land on runways, they had a tricky start! In 1910, the very first seaplane—an aircraft designed to take off and land on water—successfully launched from a water runway. This was a giant leap for aviation, showing that planes weren't just stuck on land. It’s like finally getting your skateboard to work on the swimming pool!
Learn more
Spanish Civil War Ends with Madrid’s Fall
After a long and difficult fight called the Spanish Civil War, Generalissimo Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces finally captured the capital city of Madrid. This moment officially marked the end of the war. Imagine a huge tug-of-war that lasts for years—this was the day one side finally pulled the rope all the way to their side, changing Spain’s government completely.
Three Mile Island Nuclear Incident
A scary moment in science history happened in Pennsylvania when a nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island had a serious accident—a coolant leak caused the reactor core to overheat. Thankfully, heroes worked to keep the situation from getting truly disastrous, but it was a close call! This event taught the world a tough lesson about how important safety rules are when working with massive power sources.
Learn moreFun Facts About March 28
- March 28th is officially Black Forest Cake Day! Time for a chocolatey snack!
- In 1891, the very first official weightlifting championship took place on this day.
- In 364 AD, a Roman Emperor made his brother co-emperor on March 28th.
- In 1867, the Dominion of Canada was formed by uniting several British colonies.
A Look Back in Time
During the events of March 28th, the world was constantly shifting! In 845 AD, the Vikings were forcing early European kingdoms to focus on defense while launching incredible long-distance voyages. By the 1800s, like with the asteroid discovery, science was booming as people looked beyond just Earth. Later, in the 20th century, the Spanish Civil War showed intense political division, followed by the near-disaster at Three Mile Island, which made everyone rethink massive energy sources like nuclear power. It was a day of both major construction and major crises!
Born on This Day
Raphael
Raphael was an Italian Renaissance master artist, famous for his beautiful and balanced paintings like 'The School of Athens.' He was like the superstar painter of his time, known for making everything look perfectly peaceful and harmonious.
Teresa of Ávila
Teresa of Ávila was a Spanish nun, writer, and mystic who became a saint! She helped lead a major reform movement within her religious order and wrote inspiring books about her spiritual life. She showed that even inside a convent, you could be a powerful leader.
John Amos Comenius
This Czech bishop was a huge thinker about education! Comenius is often called the 'Father of Modern Education' because he believed *all* children, rich or poor, should be taught. He created books with lots of pictures to help kids learn—a really revolutionary idea back then!
Lady Gaga
Born Stefani Germanotta, Lady Gaga is a global pop superstar known for her amazing voice, catchy songs, and incredible, ever-changing costumes! She's also a big supporter of mental health awareness. She proves that being unique and loud is a superpower!