What Happened On
Brandon Lee Killed While Filming His Death Scene
March 31, 1993
The actor Brandon Lee is killed while filming his death scene in the movie The Crow, when a prop gun accidentally fires a real bullet. Instead of buying commercial dummy bullets, the crew made their own by removing the bullets from live rounds, removing the gun powder, and then reinserting the bullets. However, the primer was left in a round. When the dummy rounds were used in a scene prior to the death scene, the gun was fired and the primer had enough force to expel the bullet into the gun's barrel. Brandon Lee's death scene was filmed later with the same gun, but using blank cartridges. A blank has the same gunpowder charge as an actual round, but no bullet. When the blank fired, it discharged the bullet that was previously lodged in the barrel with nearly the same force as an actual gun shot. Brandon was hit in the abdomen and died at the hospital.
The movie was finished using a double and special effects and has become a cult classic. Brandon was the son of martial artist Bruce Lee.
Death of Halloween
March 31, 1984
Ronald Clark O'Bryan is executed for the 1974 Halloween murder of his own 8-year-old son. He had laced Pixie Stix with cyanide and passed them out to children, including his 8-year-old-son and 5-year-old daughter. After his son died Halloween night, the medical examiner guessed that it was cyanide poisoning due to the smell of almonds coming from the boy's mouth and the other Pixie Stix were collected before anyone else ate them. Another boy had tried to eat one, but couldn't get it open because they had been stapled shut after being tampered with and he wasn't able to remove the staple.
O'Bryan was deeply in debt and had taken out life insurance policies on his children shortly before Halloween.
This event has become known as "The Death of Halloween" since many parents stopped allowing their children to participate in trick-or-treating after this incident.
Oklahoma!
March 31, 1943
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opens in New York. Oklahoma! was also adapted into the 1955 Oscar-winning film. It was based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs.
"Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain"
1918 poster celebrating the passing of DST
1918 poster celebrating the passing of DST
First U.S. Daylight Saving Time
March 31, 1918
The first national U.S. Daylight Saving Time begins. Germany and its allies had begun DST in 1916, as had the United Kingdom. The U.S. repealed this DST law in 1919, but a few U.S. cities, including New York City, retained DST locally. DST was reinstated during World War II. After the war its use varied among states and localities until 1966, when the Uniform Time Act of 1966 provided standardization of DST in the U.S.
Photo Credit: Anthony Giorgio
Photo Credit: Anthony Giorgio
U.S. Virgin Islands
March 31, 1917
The U.S. takes possession of the Danish Virgin Islands after purchasing them from Denmark for $25 million in gold.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are the only place in the U.S. where traffic drives on the left.
Eiffel Tower
March 31, 1889
The Eiffel Tower is opened to the public. At 984 feet (300 meters), it was the tallest man-made structure in the world. The framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Jews who didn't convert or leave were subject to execution
Jews who didn't convert or leave were subject to execution
Expulsion of Jews From Spain
March 31, 1492
King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I order Jews to either convert to Catholicism or leave Spain by July 31. Jews who did not convert or leave by the deadline were subject to torture and summary execution. As a result, over 200,000 Jews converted to Catholicism and between 40,000 and 100,000 were expelled.
Sultan Bayezid II of the Ottoman Empire welcomed the Jews and even sent the Ottoman Navy for their passage to his lands, stating "those who say that Ferdinand and Isabella are wise are indeed fools; for he gives me, his enemy, his national treasure, the Jews."
The edict wasn't officially revoked until 1968, following the Second Vatican Council, although Jews had been allowed to openly practice their religion for some time.
Air America Radio
March 31, 2004
The liberal left-wing radio network Air America Radio begins service. It would go off the air in 2010.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
March 31, 1984
The TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous debuts. Hosted by Robin Leach, it featured the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous. Leach ended each episode with "champagne wishes and caviar dreams."
Banking Deregulation
March 31, 1980
U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs a bill deregulating the banking industry.
Johnson Not Seeking Reelection
March 31, 1968
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson announces he will not seek reelection.
Jimi Hendrix
March 31, 1967
The legendary musician Jimi Hendrix lights his guitar on fire in concert for the first time. This was during a performance at London's Finsbury Park.
Luna 10
March 31, 1966
The Luna 10 space probe is launched by the Soviet Union. It became the first probe to enter the Moon's orbit.
Nuclear Weapons
March 31, 1958
The Soviet Union announces it will suspend nuclear weapons testing.
The Civilian Conservation Corps
March 31, 1933
The Civilian Conservation Corps is established, creating jobs through reforestation projects.
Japan/U.S. Trade
March 31, 1854
Japan first opens its ports to U.S. trade.
10-Hour Work Day
March 31, 1840
U.S. President Martin Van Buren establishes the new work day for federal employees, with no reduction in pay.
Birthdays
Al Gore (Albert Arnold Gore, Jr.)
Born March 31, 1948
American politician. 45th U.S. Vice-President (1993-2001), U.S. Senator (1985-93, Tennessee), U.S. Representative (1977-85, Tennessee), and proponent for the fight against global warming.
The first broadcast by C-SPAN was a speech by then U.S. Congressman Al Gore (1979).
Herb Alpert
Born March 31, 1935
American musician, with Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. He also co-founded A&M Records.
His 1965 album, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, has become a cultural icon. It featured a then 3-month pregnant model Dolores Erickson wearing chiffon and shaving cream.
Gordie Howe (Gordon Howe)
Born March 31, 1928 d. 2016
Canadian Hall of Fame hockey player, 23-time NHL All-Star, "Mr. Hockey." He is considered one of the all-time greatest players.
At his retirement, his 801 goals, 1,049 assists, and 1,850 total points were all NHL records that stood until they were broken by Wayne Gretzky.
First Black Heavyweight Boxing Champion
Jack Johnson
Born March 31, 1878 d. 1946
American boxer. He was the first black heavyweight boxing champion (1908-15). In 1913, he became one of the first people prosecuted under the Mann Act of 1910, also known as the White Slave Act. He had taken Lucille Cameron, a white woman, from a brothel and they subsequently crossed state lines. This violated the Mann Act which forbade transporting a woman across state lines for "immoral purposes". Even though they got married, he was still prosecuted and sentenced to a year in prison. He was pardoned in 2018 by U.S. President Donald Trump.
I Think, Therefore I Am
Rene Descartes
Born March 31, 1596 d. 1650
French scientist, philosopher, "Father of Modern Philosophy." He is remembered for his famous proposition "I think, therefore I am" (Latin: Cogito, ergo sum).
Ewan McGregor
Born March 31, 1971
Scottish actor. Film: Trainspotting (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001), and the Star Wars movies as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi
Marc McClure
Born March 31, 1957
American actor. Film: Superman (1978, Jimmie Olsen) and the Back to the Future movies (1985, Dave McFly).
Angus Young
Born March 31, 1955
Scottish-born rock guitarist with AC/DC.
Ed Marinaro
Born March 31, 1950
American actor, football player. While playing for Cornell (1969-1971), he averaged 174.6 rushing yards per game, beating greats like O. J. Simpson, Herschel Walker, and Tony Dorsett. TV: Hill Street Blues (1981-86, Officer Joe Coffey).
Rhea Perlman
Born March 31, 1948
American Emmy-winning actress. TV: Cheers (Carla Tortelli).
Gabe Kaplan
Born March 31, 1945
American actor. TV: Welcome Back, Kotter (Mr. Kotter).
Christopher Walken
Born March 31, 1943
American Oscar-winning actor. Film: The Deer Hunter (1978, Oscar) and A View to a Kill (1985, Max Zorin).
Shirley Jones
Born March 31, 1934
American Oscar-winning actress. Film: Elmer Gantry (1960, Oscar). TV: The Partridge Family (1970-74, the mom). She was once married to Jack Cassidy, the father of her stepson David Cassidy who played Keith in The Partridge Family.
Richard Chamberlain
Born March 31, 1934
American actor. TV: Dr. Kildare (1961-66, title role), Shōgun (1980), and The Thorn Birds (1983).
Liz Claiborne
Born March 31, 1929 d. 2007
Belgian-born American fashion designer. Her company, Liz Claiborne Inc., was the first company founded by a woman to make the Fortune 500 (1986).
William Daniels
Born March 31, 1927
American Emmy-winning actor. TV: St. Elsewhere (Dr. Mark Craig) and Knight Rider (voice of Kitt).
César Chávez
Born March 31, 1927 d. 1993
Mexican-American labor leader, activist. Founder of the National Farm Workers Association.
Leo Buscaglia
Born March 31, 1924 d. 1998
American educator, author, hugger. While teaching at USC, a student's suicide moved him to contemplate human disconnectedness and the meaning of life, leading to his first book, LOVE. At one time he had five books on the New York Times Best Sellers List simultaneously.
Richard Kiley
Born March 31, 1922 d. 1999
American Emmy-winning actor. TV: The Thorn Birds (Emmy) and A Year in the Life (Emmy).
Henry Morgan (Henry Lerner Van Ost, Jr.)
Born March 31, 1915 d. 1994
American caustic comedian. Known for his trademark radio sign-on: "Good evening, anybody. Here's Morgan." TV: What's My Line and I've Got a Secret.
Sir Dugald Clerk (aka Clark)
Born March 31, 1854 d. 1932
Scottish engineer. He built the first two-stroke engine (1878).
Franz Joseph Haydn
Born March 31, 1732 d. 1809
Austrian composer, "Father of the Symphony." He composed about 120 symphonies.
Benedict XIV
Born March 31, 1675 d. 1758
Italian religious leader, 247th Pope (1740-58).
Pius IV
Born March 31, 1499 d. 1565
Italian religious leader, 224th Pope (1559-65). He reopened the Council of Trent (1562).
Deaths
Halloween Candy Murderer
Ronald Clark O'Bryan
Died March 31, 1984 b. 1944
American murderer. He was convicted and executed for the 1974 Halloween killing of his 8-year-old son by feeding him poisoned Halloween candy. He had laced Pixie Stix with cyanide and passed them out to children, including his 8-year-old-son and 5-year-old daughter. After his son died Halloween night, the medical examiner guessed that it was cyanide poisoning due to the smell of almonds coming from the boy's mouth and the other Pixie Stix were collected before anyone else ate them. Another boy had tried to eat one, but couldn't get it open because they had been stapled shut after being tampered with and he wasn't able to remove the staple.
O'Bryan was deeply in debt and had taken out life insurance policies on his children shortly before Halloween.
This event has become known as "The Death of Halloween" since many parents stopped allowing their children to participate in trick-or-treating after this incident.
Jesse Owens (James Cleveland Owens)
Died March 31, 1980 b. 1913
American track star. He won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics. At the 1935 Big Ten meet he set three world records and tied a fourth - all within a span of 45 minutes. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1976).
Harper at age 32 and the Aunt Jemima character
Harper at age 32 and the Aunt Jemima character
Aunt Jemima
Ethel Ernestine Harper
Died March 31, 1979 b. 1903
American singer, advertising performer. She was featured on Aunt Jemima products and worked as a traveling representative from 1950 to 1958. She graduated from college at seventeen years old, sang with the Ginger Snaps, and sang in the Broadway production of The Hot Mikado with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1939).
After her stint as Aunt Jemima, she worked for the Girl Scouts until her retirement in 1969.
Note: Several other woman also portrayed the Aunt Jemima character on the radio and at festivals during 1940s, 50s, and 60s.
De Palma and his mechanic pushing their car
De Palma and his mechanic pushing their car
Ralph De Palma
Died March 31, 1956 b. 1882
Italian-born American Hall of Fame auto racer. With 2,557 wins out of 2,889 races, he was the world's winningest race car driver.
At the 1912 Indianapolis 500 he led 196 of the laps, but on lap 199 of 200 his car lost power. He and his riding mechanic got out and pushed it over the finish line for 11th place, but they were disqualified as the cars must move under their own power.
Revolutionized Home Sewing
Ebenezer Butterick
Died March 31, 1903 b. 1826
American inventor. He and his wife Ellen invented multiple-sized tissue paper clothing patterns (1863). Before then, patterns consisted of a single size for each design and the sewer had to figure out how to resize the pattern to fit their needs. Since many home sewers were unable to resize the patterns themselves, the Butterick's patterns revolutionized home sewing.
First U.S. Vice-President to Resign
John Caldwell Calhoun
Died March 31, 1850 b. 1782
American politician. 7th U.S. Vice-President (1824-32). After a disagreement with President Andrew Jackson, he became the first U.S. Vice-President to resign. He then went on to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate.
Colors of the original Rainbow Flag
Colors of the original Rainbow Flag
Creator of the Rainbow Flag
Gilbert Baker
Died March 31, 2017 b. 1951
American artist, gay rights activist. He designed the Rainbow Flag (1978), known as the gay pride flag, one of the most recognizable symbols of the LGBT community. The original flag had the colors: Hot Pink (Sex), Red (Life), Orange (Healing), Yellow (Sunlight), Green (Nature), Turquoise (Magic/Art), Indigo (Serenity), Violet (Spirit). The flag has undergone changes since the original, with the most common flag having six stripes, omitting turquoise and hot pink mainly for manufacturing reasons.
Baker also designed displays for Dianne Feinstein, the Premier of China, the presidents of France, Venezuela, and the Philippines, and the King of Spain.
Terri Schiavo
Died March 31, 2005 b. 1963
American medical case. After suffering a cardiac arrest in 1990 that left her brain damaged, a major legal battle ensued over the right of her husband to have her feeding tube removed. It was eventually removed, resulting in her death 13 days later.
Bella Abzug
Died March 31, 1998 b. 1920
American politician and leader of the women's movement. She was the first Jewish woman elected to the U.S. Congress (House of Representatives, New York 1971-77).
First Woman U.S. Ambassador
Eugenie Anderson
Died March 31, 1997 b. 1909
American diplomat. She was the first woman U.S. Ambassador, appointed by U.S. President Harry S. Truman as ambassador to Denmark (1949-53).
She was later appointed by U.S. President John F. Kennedy as ambassador to Bulgaria (1962-1964).
Selena (Selena Quintanilla Pérez)
Died March 31, 1995 b. 1971
Mexican-American singer. She was murdered by the president of her fan club.
Brandon Lee
Died March 31, 1993 b. 1965
American actor, son of Bruce Lee. He was killed, while filming the movie The Crow (1994) when the gun being used accidentally fired a real bullet. Instead of buying commercial dummy bullets, the crew made their own dummies by removing the bullets from live rounds, removing the gun powder, and then reinserting the bullets. However, the primer was accidentally left in one round. When the dummy rounds were used in a scene prior to the death scene, the gun was fired and the primer had enough force to expel the bullet into the gun's barrel. Brandon Lee's death scene was filmed later using the same gun, but using blank cartridges. A blank has the same gunpowder charge as an actual round, but no bullet. When the blank fired, it discharged the bullet that had been accidentally lodged in the barrel from the bad dummy round with nearly the same force as an actual gun shot. Brandon was hit in the abdomen and died at the hospital.
Rudolph Isley (left) with Ronald Isley (middle) and O'Kelly Isley Jr. (right)
Rudolph Isley (left) with Ronald Isley (middle) and O'Kelly Isley Jr. (right)
O'Kelly Isley
Died March 31, 1986 b. 1937
American Grammy-winning singer, with the Isley Brothers. Music: Twist and Shout (1962), This Old Heart of Mine (1966), and It's Your Thing (1970, Grammy).
Enid Bagnold
Died March 31, 1981 b. 1889
English novelist. Writings: National Velvet (1935) and The Chalk Garden (1956).
Charles Herbert Best
Died March 31, 1978 b. 1899
Canadian scientist. While working as an undergraduate student, he assisted F.G. Banting in the discovery of insulin (1921). He also introduced the use of heparin to reduce blood clotting during heart surgery.
Knute Kenneth Rockne
Died March 31, 1931 b. 1888
Norwegian-born American football player/coach. His effective use of the forward pass, while a player at Notre Dame, forever changed college football. His record as Notre Dame coach (1914-31) was 105 wins, 12 losses, and 5 ties.
Emil von Behring
Died March 31, 1917 b. 1854
German Nobel-winning physiologist, bacteriologist. He discovered tetanus and diphtheria vaccines (1890).
John Pierpont Morgan
Died March 31, 1913 b. 1837
American financier, co-founder of U.S. Steel (1901).
Otto Ringling
Died March 31, 1911 b. 1858
American circus operator, with Ringling Brothers Circus.
Charlotte Brontë
Died March 31, 1855 b. 1816
English novelist. Writings: Jane Eyre (1847).
John Donne
Died March 31, 1631 b. 1572
English poet. He is best remembered for the lines "No man is an island…" and "…for whom the bell tolls" from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions (1624).
Philip III
Died March 31, 1621 b. 1578
King of Spain (1598-1621). As Philip II, he was also King of Portugal, Naples, Sicily and Sardinia and Duke of Milan from 1598 until his death in 1621. He is considered a weak ruler who spent enormous sums on court festivities.