Exxon, Basketball, Reagan: March 24-30 Week in History

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This week in history we celebrate everything college basketball related, the first space probe to reach the planet Mercury, and the famous cherry trees adorning our nation’s capital.

March 24, 1989: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

Crude oil on oil spill accident on Ao Prao Beach at Samet island on July 31,2013 in Rayong, Thailand

On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The tanker spilled 11 million gallons of oil, causing an ecological disaster that killed countless birds, otters, seals, and whales. Exxon settled multiple criminal and civil lawsuits in 1991 over the spill, paying a total of a billion dollars that was used to restore and protect the affected areas.

The oil spill also resulted in Congress passing the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which established a government agency responsible for diminishing and restoring damage caused by oil and hazardous materials spills.

March 26, 1845: Patent Awarded for Adhesive Medicated Plaster

On March 26, 1845, two doctors, Horace Day and William Shecut, received a patent for an adhesive medicated plaster, a dressing that stuck to a wound on its own. Day and Shecut’s invention used dissolved rubber painted on cotton fabric. The invention was a precursor to the Band-Aid, which was invented by the Johnson brothers (Johnson & Johnson Corp) in 1920.

March 27, 1912: Cherry Trees Planted Along Potomac River

On March 27, 1912, first lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador to the U.S. planted two Yoshino cherry trees near the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Japan gifted the United States government with over 3,000 cherry trees from a famous collection in Tokyo. The cherry trees were planted along the Potomac River and on the White House grounds. They quickly became a popular tourist attraction when they bloom every spring, and in 1934 the annual Cherry Blossom Festival was started. After WWII, cuttings from the Washington cherry trees were sent to Tokyo to restore the collections that were destroyed during the war.

March 27, 1939: First March Madness Champions

The University of Oregon men’s basketball team defeated Ohio State on March 27, 1939, and became the first NCAA March Madness champions. Only 8 teams competed in the initial tournament, which has grown in size ever since to now include 68 teams for both men’s and women’s basketball. March Madness is the second largest annual American sporting event after the Superbowl based on the amount of gambling across the country.

March 29, 845: Paris Sacked by Vikings

On Easter Sunday, March 29, 845, an invasion force of 5,000 vikings sailed up the Seine River in France and sacked the city of Paris. The vikings were led by the famous viking hero and king, Ragnar Lodbrok. Although they contracted a plague-like disease within Paris, the vikings refused to abandon the city until Charles the Bald, king of France, paid a ransom of thousands of pounds of gold and silver.

March 29, 1974: Mariner I Space Probe Visited Mercury

On March 29, 1974, the Mariner I spacecraft passed close to the planet Mercury. The probe was launched in November of 1973. It passed by Venus on its journey to the closest planet to the sun, using Venus’s gravity to slingshot it towards Mercury. It completed three passes over Mercury, sending back pictures, compiling data, and mapping the planet’s surface. Mariner I was the first space probe to reach Mercury.

March 29, 1974: Terracotta Army Discovered in China

On March 29, 1974, a group of farmers in Lintong County discovered an army of terracotta warriors while digging a well. The terracotta sculptures were made of earthenware clay and fired at a low temperature. The discovery was a cultural and archaeological treasure trove, with over 8,000 soldiers, plus chariots, horses, and non-military persons like musicians and acrobats.

The life size soldiers were buried alongside Emperor Qin Shi Huang around the year 209 BC to protect him in the afterlife. Qin Shi Huang was the King of Qin who fought to unify all the warring factions of China. He was successful, and in 221 BC Qin Shi Huang founded the Qin Dynasty when he became the first Emperor of China.

March 29, 1982: Michael Jordan Won NCAA Title

On March 29, 1982, freshman guard Michael Jordan made a 16-foot jump shot with 15 seconds left to give the North Carolina Tar Heels a 63-62 victory over Georgetown in the NCAA finals. He went on to become one of the greatest basketball players ever while winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan’s winning shot in the NCAA finals was his first great leap forward as one of the most famous sports icons of his time.

March 30, 1981: President Ronald Reagan Shot

President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley on March 30, 1981 outside of a Washington, DC hotel. The bullet collapsed Reagan’s left lung. After being rushed to the hospital by Secret Service agents, the president joked with his surgeons: “Please tell me you’re Republicans.” After the assassination attempt, the president’s popularity soared. He received a standing ovation when he returned to Congress a month later.

The shooter, John Hinckley, was arrested and found not guilty by reason of insanity. Hinckley shot and wounded several others in the president’s entourage, including White House press secretary James Brady, who suffered permanent brain damage. In 1993, Congress passed the Brady Bill, which established background checks and a 5-day waiting period for all gun buyers.

This Week’s Obscure Holidays

This week’s obscure holidays include Tolkien Reading Day, a holiday established by Tolkien fans to read and discuss the famous author’s books. The date of the holiday, March 25, coincides with the defeat of Tolkien’s evil character Sauron.

Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day celebrates songs like “Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog” by Johnny Cash, “Refried Dreams” by Tim McGraw, and “Devil in a Sleeping Bag” by Willie Nelson. Smoke and Mirrors Day recognizes and appreciates the skills of magicians and illusionists. Old New Year’s Day remembers that throughout the middle ages the new year started on March 25 until Pope Gregory VIII changed it to January 1 in 1582.

March 24: Chocolate Covered Raisins Day, Cocktail Day, Cheesecake Day

March 25: Pecan Day, Tolkien Reading Day, Old New Year’s Day, Feast of the Annunciation, Waffle Day

March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day, Live Long and Prosper Day, Legal Assistants Day, Science Appreciation Day, Purple Day, Spinach Day

March 27: Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day, Balloon Animal Day, Celebrate Exchange Day, Manatee Appreciation Day, Theater Day, Little Red Wagon Day, Joe Day

March 28: Barnum & Bailey Day, Weed Appreciation Day, Piano Day, Something on a Stick Day

March 29: Mom & Pop Business Owners Day, Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day, Smoke and Mirrors Day, Marbles Day, Good Friday

March 30: Doctors Day, Grass is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day, Pencil Day, I am In Control Day, Folding Laundry Day, Virtual Vacation Day, Take a Walk in the Park Day, Turkey Neck Soup Day

What was happening in history March 17th to March 23rd?

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