31 March: Significant events that took place on this day in the past

Today’s date i.e., 31 March commemorates the beginnings and endings of a number of historic events that may have had a significant impact on people or changed history. While the USS Missouri was decommissioned for a second and final time on this date, the famous Eiffel Tower was also inaugurated on 31 March 1889. All of these events have left a major impact on world history, thus making it significant for people to know about them in detail. Speaking of which, let’s check the timeline of these historical events that took place on this date in the past.

31 March: Historical events

1889 - Eiffel Tower was inaugurated 

Right after ending its construction work, the 984-foot Eiffel Tower was inaugurated in Paris on this date back in 1889. Created by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the tower, it was finished in a record time of 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days.

1918 - Daylight Saving Time went into operation In a sequence of events that took place in March 1918, after the Standard Time Act was passed by Congress and was later signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, Daylight Saving Time went into effect in the US for the first time. 1931 - Nicaragua earthquake  A 6.1-moment magnitude struck Nicaragua’s capital city Managua on 31 March 1931 which caused major damage and a widespread fire. This also destroyed several buildings and further led to the death of over 2,000 people. 1968 - Lyndon B. Johnson’s withdrawal speech In a shocking announcement, then-US President Lyndon B Johnson on 31 March 1968 stunned the nation by informing that he no longer was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president.

1992 - USS Missouri was decommissioned On this date back in 1992, the 887-foot USS Missouri was decommissioned for a second and final time. A historic day that met with pride and sadness, the ship was also the last U.S. battleship still in service.