What Happened on March 31?

On March 31, the Eiffel Tower rose over Paris for the first time, and labor hero Cesar Chavez — who fought for fair treatment of farm workers — was born!

• 1774 — Boston Port Act becomes law, punishing colonial Boston

  Britain closed Boston's harbor to punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party — a harsh move that united the colonies against Britain instead. Read the full story →

• 1889 — Eiffel Tower dedicated in Paris

  Gustave Eiffel climbed his nearly finished 1,000-foot iron tower and raised the French flag — completing what critics called an eyesore but Paris embraced as its symbol. Read the full story →

• 1985 — First WrestleMania packs Madison Square Garden

  19,121 fans plus over a million watching on closed-circuit TV saw Hulk Hogan and Mr. T win the main event — launching wrestling's biggest annual spectacle. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Cesar Chavez (1927–1993) · René Descartes (1596–1650) · Jack Johnson (1878–1946) · Gordie Howe (1928–2016)

Days & observances

Cesar Chavez Day