◆ On this day

March 31

4 sourced moments from March 31 in history: René Descartes was born in 1596 in a town now named for him; Isaac Newton died in 1727, though his gravestone says 1726; The Eiffel Tower was completed (1889), plus 1 more.

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4 things happened on March 31

newest first ↓

1959 Religion & Beliefs · Major Religions

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet into exile

On March 31, 1959, after a fortnight crossing the Himalayas in disguise, the Dalai Lama reached India and a lifetime of exile.

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1889 Geography · Landmarks & Wonders

The Eiffel Tower was completed

On March 31, 1889, Gustave Eiffel climbed his own iron giant to raise a flag over the world's tallest structure.

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1727 Science · Physics

Isaac Newton died in 1727, though his gravestone says 1726

Newton died at Kensington on 31 March 1727 by today's calendar; his Westminster Abbey grave, following the old English calendar, records 20 March 1726.

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1596 Science · Mathematics

René Descartes was born in 1596 in a town now named for him

Descartes was born on 31 March 1596 in La Haye, France, now renamed Descartes. His famous cogito isn't quite where you'd expect.

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