What Happened on March 28?

On March 28, a nuclear plant scare made energy safer everywhere — and way back in 1790, President Washington promised America would welcome people of every faith.

• 1790 — George Washington promises religious freedom to Newport's Jewish congregation

  Answering Rhode Island's Hebrew Congregation, Washington declared the new nation gives 'to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance' — a landmark promise of religious liberty. Read the full story →

• 1930 — Constantinople officially renamed Istanbul

  Turkey asked the world to start calling its biggest city Istanbul — retiring the ancient name Constantinople from maps and post offices everywhere. Read the full story →

• 1979 — Three Mile Island nuclear accident begins

  A stuck valve and confused operators caused partial melting inside a Pennsylvania reactor — America's worst nuclear power accident, which rewrote safety rules worldwide. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Lady Gaga (1986) · Reba McEntire (1955) · Julia Stiles (1981) · Vince Vaughn (1970)

Days & observances

Something on a Stick Day