Discover five major historical events that shaped our world on this day in history, from international conflicts to technological breakthroughs.
1. The Crimean War Begins (1854)
On March 28, 1854, Great Britain and France formally declared war on Russia, officially beginning the Crimean War. This significant conflict introduced modern warfare technologies and tactics while reshaping the European balance of power.
The war stemmed from Russia’s expansionist policies and disputes over influence in the Middle East, particularly regarding the declining Ottoman Empire. What made this conflict particularly notable was the introduction of modern nursing practices by Florence Nightingale, whose work revolutionized battlefield medicine and healthcare.
2. First Seaplane Takes Flight (1910)
Aviation history was made on March 28, 1910, when Henri Fabre successfully piloted the Fabre Hydravion from the Étang de Berre lagoon in Martigues, France. This groundbreaking flight marked the first time a seaplane took off from water under its own power.
Fabre’s innovative design featured a wooden frame with canvas covering and three floats that allowed the aircraft to take off from and land on water. The flight lasted only a few minutes but represented a significant technological advancement that would eventually transform naval aviation and transportation.
3. Spanish Civil War Ends (1939)
On March 28, 1939, the Spanish Civil War came to an end when Madrid fell to Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco. After nearly three years of brutal conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, Franco’s victory established his dictatorship that would last until his death in 1975.
The war had drawn international attention and involvement, with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supporting Franco’s Nationalists while the Soviet Union backed the Republican forces. The conflict served as a testing ground for weapons and tactics that would soon be employed in World War II.
4. Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident (1979)
On March 28, 1979, the United States experienced its most serious commercial nuclear accident when a cooling system malfunction led to a partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Though no deaths or injuries occurred, the incident released radioactive gases and iodine into the atmosphere and fundamentally changed public perception of nuclear energy in America. The accident led to sweeping reforms in nuclear safety regulations and emergency response planning, while significantly slowing the expansion of nuclear power in the United States.
5. Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak (1920)
On March 28, 1920, a devastating series of tornadoes swept through the Midwest and Deep South of the United States in what became known as the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak. The violent weather system resulted in over 380 fatalities and massive destruction across eight states.
The deadliest tornado of the outbreak struck through Michigan and Ohio, completely destroying the town of Fickle, Michigan. This natural disaster remains one of the most significant tornado outbreaks in American history and led to improvements in weather forecasting and warning systems.
