Events

Pre-1600

  • 598 – Avar–Byzantine wars: The Avars lift the siege at the Byzantine stronghold of Tomis. Their leader Bayan I retreats north of the Danube River after the Avaro-Slavic army is decimated by the plague.
  • 1282 – The people of Sicily rebel against the Angevin king Charles I, in what becomes known as the Sicilian Vespers.
  • 1296 – Edward I sacks Berwick-upon-Tweed, during armed conflict between Scotland and England.

1601–1900

  • 1699 – Guru Gobind Singh establishes the Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab.
  • 1815 – Joachim Murat issues the Rimini Proclamation, among the earliest calls for Italian unification.
  • 1818 – Physicist Augustin Fresnel reads a memoir on optical rotation to the French Academy of Sciences, reporting that when polarized light is "depolarized" by a Fresnel rhomb, its properties are preserved in any subsequent passage through an optically-rotating crystal or liquid.
  • 1822 – The Florida Territory is created in the United States.
  • 1841 – The National Bank of Greece is founded in Athens.
  • 1842 – Ether anesthesia is used for the first time, in an operation by the American surgeon Dr. Crawford Long.
  • 1844 – One of the most important battles of the Dominican War of Independence from Haiti takes place near the city of Santiago de los Caballeros.
  • 1855 – Origins of the American Civil War: "Border Ruffians" from Missouri invade Kansas and force election of a pro-slavery legislature.
  • 1856 – The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Crimean War.
  • 1861 – Discovery of the chemical elements: Sir William Crookes announces his discovery of thallium.
  • 1863 – Danish prince Wilhelm Georg is chosen as King George of Greece.
  • 1867 &ndash; Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about two cents/acre ($4.19/km<sup>2</sup>), by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward.
  • 1870 &ndash; Texas is readmitted to the United States Congress following Reconstruction.
  • 1885 &ndash; The Battle for Kushka triggers the Panjdeh Incident which nearly gives rise to war between the Russian and British Empires.
  • 1899 &ndash; German Society of Chemistry issues an invitation to other national scientific organizations to appoint delegates to the International Committee on Atomic Weights.
  • 1900 &ndash; Archaeologists in Knossos, Crete, discover the first clay tablet with hieroglyphic writing in a script later called Linear B.

1901–present

  • 1912 &ndash; Sultan Abd al-Hafid signs the Treaty of Fez, making Morocco a French protectorate.
  • 1918 &ndash; Beginning of the bloody March Events in Baku and other locations of Baku Governorate.
  • 1939 &ndash; The Heinkel He 100 fighter sets a world airspeed record of 463&nbsp;mph (745&nbsp;km/h).
  • 1940 &ndash; Second Sino-Japanese War: Japan declares Nanking capital of a new Chinese puppet government, nominally controlled by Wang Jingwei.
  • 1944 &ndash; World War II: Allied bombers conduct their most severe bombing run on Sofia, Bulgaria.
  • 1944 &ndash; World War II: In a raid on Nuremberg, RAF Bomber Command suffers its greatest loss of the war, losing 95 bombers from a force of 795.
  • 1945 &ndash; World War II: Soviet forces invade Austria and capture Vienna. Polish and Soviet forces liberate Danzig.
  • 1949 &ndash; Cold War: A riot breaks out in Austurvöllur square in Reykjavík, when Iceland joins NATO.
  • 1959 &ndash; Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, flees Tibet for India.
  • 1961 &ndash; The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs is signed in New York City.
  • 1965 &ndash; Vietnam War: A car bomb explodes in front of the United States Embassy, Saigon, killing 22 and wounding 183 others.
  • 1967 &ndash; Delta Air Lines Flight 9877 crashes at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, killing 19.
  • 1972 &ndash; Vietnam War: The Easter Offensive begins after North Vietnamese forces cross into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of South Vietnam.
  • 1976 &ndash; Israeli-Palestinian conflict: in the first organized response against Israeli policies by a Palestinian collective since 1948, Palestinians create the first Land Day.
  • 1979 &ndash; Airey Neave, a British Member of Parliament (MP), is killed by a car bomb as he exits the Palace of Westminster. The Irish National Liberation Army claims responsibility.
  • 1981 &ndash; U.S. President Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John Hinckley Jr.; three others are wounded in the same incident.
  • 1982 &ndash; Space Shuttle program: STS-3 mission is completed with the landing of Columbia at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
  • 2002 &ndash; The 2002 Lyon car attack takes place.
  • 2006 &ndash; Cyclone Glenda, one of the strongest tropical cyclones in the Australian region makes landfall near Onslow, Western Australia.
  • 2008 &ndash; Drolma Kyi arrested by Chinese authorities.
  • 2009 &ndash; Twelve gunmen attack the Manawan Police Academy in Lahore, Pakistan.
  • 2011 &ndash; Min Aung Hlaing is appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's armed forces.
  • 2017 &ndash; SpaceX conducts the world's first reflight of an orbital class rocket.
  • 2018 &ndash; The Israeli Army kills 17 Palestinians and wounds 1,400 in Gaza during Land Day protests.
  • 2019 &ndash; Pope Francis visits Morocco.
  • 2023 &ndash; Donald Trump becomes the first former United States president to be indicted by a grand jury.

Births

Pre-1600

  • 892 &ndash; Shi Jingtang, founder of the Later Jin Dynasty (died 942)
  • 1135 &ndash; Maimonides, Spanish rabbi and philosopher (April 6 also proposed, d. 1204)
  • 1326 &ndash; Ivan II of Moscow (died 1359)
  • 1432 &ndash; Mehmed the Conqueror, Ottoman sultan (died 1481)
  • 1510 &ndash; Antonio de Cabezón, Spanish composer and organist (died 1566)
  • 1551 &ndash; Salomon Schweigger, German theologian (died 1622)

1601–1900

  • 1606 &ndash; Vincentio Reinieri, Italian mathematician and astronomer (died 1647)
  • 1640 &ndash; John Trenchard, English politician, Secretary of State for the Northern Department (died 1695)
  • 1727 &ndash; Tommaso Traetta, Italian composer and educator (died 1779)
  • 1746 &ndash; Francisco Goya, Spanish-French painter and sculptor (died 1828)
  • 1750 &ndash; John Stafford Smith, English organist and composer (died 1836)
  • 1793 &ndash; Juan Manuel de Rosas, Argentinian soldier and politician, 13th Governor of Buenos Aires Province (died 1877)
  • 1805 &ndash; Ferdinand Johann Wiedemann, German-Swedish linguist and botanist (died 1887)
  • 1811 &ndash; Robert Bunsen, German chemist and academic (died 1899)
  • 1820 &ndash; Anna Sewell, English author (died 1878)
  • 1820 &ndash; James Whyte, Scottish-Australian politician, 6th Premier of Tasmania (died 1882)
  • 1844 &ndash; Paul Verlaine, French poet (died 1896)
  • 1853 &ndash; Vincent van Gogh, Dutch-French painter and illustrator (died 1890)
  • 1853 &ndash; Arnoldo Sartorio, German composer, pianist, and teacher (died 1936)
  • 1857 &ndash; Léon Charles Thévenin, French engineer (died 1926)
  • 1858 &ndash; Siegfried Alkan, German composer (died 1941)
  • 1863 &ndash; Mary Calkins, American philosopher and psychologist (died 1930)
  • 1864 &ndash; Franz Oppenheimer, German-American sociologist and economist (died 1943)
  • 1874 &ndash; Charles Lightoller, English 2nd officer on the RMS Titanic (died 1952)
  • 1874 &ndash; Josiah McCracken, American hammer thrower, shot putter, and football player (died 1962)
  • 1874 &ndash; Nicolae Rădescu, Romanian general and politician, Prime Minister of Romania (died 1953)
  • 1875 &ndash; Thomas Xenakis, Greek-American gymnast (died 1942)
  • 1879 &ndash; Coen de Koning, Dutch speed skater (died 1954)
  • 1880 &ndash; Seán O'Casey, Irish dramatist, playwright, and memoirist (died 1964)
  • 1882 &ndash; Melanie Klein, Austrian-English psychologist and author (died 1960)
  • 1888 &ndash; J. R. Williams, Canadian-born cartoonist (died 1957)
  • 1891 &ndash; Chunseong, Korean monk, writer and philosopher (died 1977)
  • 1892 &ndash; Stefan Banach, Polish mathematician and academic (died 1945)
  • 1892 &ndash; Fortunato Depero, Italian painter and sculptor (died 1960)
  • 1892 &ndash; Erhard Milch, German field marshal (died 1972)
  • 1892 &ndash; Johannes Pääsuke, Estonian photographer and director (died 1918)
  • 1892 &ndash; Erwin Panofsky, German historian and academic (died 1968)
  • 1894 &ndash; Tommy Green, English race walker (died 1975)
  • 1894 &ndash; Sergey Ilyushin, Russian engineer, founded Ilyushin Design Bureau (died 1977)
  • 1895 &ndash; Jean Giono, French author and poet (died 1970)
  • 1895 &ndash; Carl Lutz, Swiss vice-consul to Hungary during WWII, credited with saving over 62,000 Jews (died 1975)
  • 1895 &ndash; Charlie Wilson, English footballer (died 1971)
  • 1899 &ndash; Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, Indian author, playwright, and screenwriter (died 1970)

1901–present

  • 1902 &ndash; Brooke Astor, American socialite and philanthropist (died 2007)
  • 1902 &ndash; Ted Heath, English trombonist and composer (died 1969)
  • 1903 &ndash; Joy Ridderhof, American missionary (died 1984)
  • 1904 &ndash; Ripper Collins, American baseball player and coach (died 1970)
  • 1905 &ndash; Archie Birkin, English motorcycle racer (died 1927)
  • 1905 &ndash; Mikio Oda, Japanese triple jumper and academic (died 1998)
  • 1905 &ndash; Albert Pierrepoint, English hangman (died 1992)
  • 1907 &ndash; Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte, German general (died 1994)
  • 1907 &ndash; Shigeru Morita, Japanese painter (died 2009)
  • 1910 &ndash; Józef Marcinkiewicz, Polish soldier, mathematician, and academic (died 1940)
  • 1911 &ndash; Ekrem Akurgal, Turkish archaeologist and academic (died 2002)
  • 1912 &ndash; Jack Cowie, New Zealand cricketer (died 1994)
  • 1912 &ndash; Alvin Hamilton, Canadian lieutenant and politician, 18th Canadian Minister of Agriculture (died 2004)
  • 1913 &ndash; Marc Davis, American animator (died 2000)
  • 1913 &ndash; Richard Helms, American soldier and diplomat, 8th Director of Central Intelligence (died 2002)
  • 1913 &ndash; Frankie Laine, American singer-songwriter (died 2007)
  • 1913 &ndash; Ċensu Tabone, Maltese general, physician, and politician, 4th President of Malta (died 2012)
  • 1914 &ndash; Sonny Boy Williamson I, American singer-songwriter and harmonica player (died 1948)
  • 1915 &ndash; Pietro Ingrao, Italian journalist and politician (died 2015)
  • 1917 &ndash; Els Aarne, Ukrainian-Estonian pianist, composer, and educator (died 1995)
  • 1919 &ndash; McGeorge Bundy, American intelligence officer and diplomat, 6th United States National Security Advisor (died 1996)
  • 1919 &ndash; Robin Williams, New Zealand mathematician, university administrator and public servant (died 2013)
  • 1921 &ndash; André Fontaine, French historian and journalist (died 2013)
  • 1922 &ndash; Turhan Bey, American actor (died 2012)
  • 1922 &ndash; Arthur Wightman, American physicist and academic (died 2013)
  • 1923 &ndash; Milton Acorn, Canadian poet and playwright (died 1986)
  • 1925 &ndash; Hans Reichelt, German politician (died 2025)
  • 1926 &ndash; Ingvar Kamprad, Swedish businessman, founded IKEA (died 2018)
  • 1927 &ndash; Wally Grout, Australian cricketer (died 1968)
  • 1928 &ndash; Robert Badinter, French lawyer and politician, French Minister of Justice (died 2024)
  • 1928 &ndash; Colin Egar, Australian cricket umpire (died 2008)
  • 1928 &ndash; Tom Sharpe, English-Spanish author and educator (died 2013)
  • 1929 &ndash; Richard Dysart, American actor (died 2015)
  • 1929 &ndash; Ray Musto, American soldier and politician (died 2014)
  • 1929 &ndash; István Rózsavölgyi, Hungarian runner (died 2012)
  • 1930 &ndash; John Astin, American actor
  • 1930 &ndash; Rolf Harris, Australian singer-songwriter (died 2023)
  • 1933 &ndash; Jean-Claude Brialy, French actor and director (died 2007)
  • 1933 &ndash; Joe Ruby, American animator (died 2020)
  • 1934 &ndash; Paul Crouch, American broadcaster, co-founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network (died 2013)
  • 1934 &ndash; Hans Hollein, Austrian architect and academic, designed Haas House (died 2014)
  • 1935 &ndash; Karl Berger, German pianist and composer (died 2023)
  • 1935 &ndash; Willie Galimore, American football player (died 1964)
  • 1935 &ndash; Gordon Mumma, American composer
  • 1937 &ndash; Warren Beatty, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1937 &ndash; Ian MacLaurin, Baron MacLaurin of Knebworth, English businessman
  • 1938 &ndash; John Barnhill, American basketball player and coach (died 2013)
  • 1938 &ndash; Klaus Schwab, German economist and engineer, founded the World Economic Forum
  • 1940 &ndash; Norman Gifford, English cricketer (died 2026)
  • 1940 &ndash; Jerry Lucas, American basketball player and educator
  • 1940 &ndash; Hans Ragnemalm, Swedish lawyer and judge (died 2016)
  • 1940 &ndash; David Earle Bailey, American Episcopal priest (died 2024)
  • 1941 &ndash; Graeme Edge, English singer-songwriter and drummer (died 2021)
  • 1941 &ndash; Ron Johnston, English geographer and academic (died 2020)
  • 1941 &ndash; Wasim Sajjad, Pakistani lawyer and politician, President of Pakistan
  • 1941 &ndash; Bob Smith, American soldier and politician
  • 1942 &ndash; Ruben Kun, Nauruan lawyer and politician, 14th President of Nauru (died 2014)
  • 1942 &ndash; Tane Norton, New Zealand rugby player (died 2023)
  • 1942 &ndash; Kenneth Welsh, Canadian actor (died 2022)
  • 1943 &ndash; Jay Traynor, American pop and doo-wop singer (died 2014)
  • 1944 &ndash; Mark Wylea Erwin, American businessman and diplomat
  • 1944 &ndash; Brian Wilshire, Australian radio host (died 2026)
  • 1945 &ndash; Eric Clapton, English guitarist and singer-songwriter
  • 1947 &ndash; Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin, American activist, writer, and black anarchist
  • 1947 &ndash; Dick Roche, Irish politician, Minister of State for European Affairs
  • 1947 &ndash; Terje Venaas, Norwegian bassist (died 2025)
  • 1948 &ndash; Nigel Jones, Baron Jones of Cheltenham, English computer programmer and politician (died 2022)
  • 1948 &ndash; Eddie Jordan, Irish racing driver and team owner, founded Jordan Grand Prix (died 2025)
  • 1948 &ndash; Mervyn King, English economist and academic
  • 1948 &ndash; Jim "Dandy" Mangrum, American rock singer
  • 1949 &ndash; Liza Frulla, Canadian talk show host and politician, 3rd Minister of Canadian Heritage
  • 1949 &ndash; Dana Gillespie, English singer-songwriter and actress
  • 1949 &ndash; Naomi Sims, American model and author (died 2009)
  • 1950 &ndash; Janet Browne, English-American historian and academic
  • 1950 &ndash; Robbie Coltrane, Scottish actor (died 2022)
  • 1950 &ndash; Grady Little, American baseball player, coach, and manager
  • 1952 &ndash; Stuart Dryburgh, English-New Zealand cinematographer
  • 1952 &ndash; Peter Knights, Australian footballer and coach
  • 1955 &ndash; Randy VanWarmer, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2004)
  • 1956 &ndash; Bill Butler, Scottish educator and politician
  • 1956 &ndash; Juanito Oiarzabal, Spanish mountaineer
  • 1956 &ndash; Paul Reiser, American actor and comedian
  • 1956 &ndash; Shahla Sherkat, Iranian journalist and author
  • 1957 &ndash; Marie-Christine Koundja, Chadian author and diplomat
  • 1958 &ndash; Maurice LaMarche, Canadian voice actor and stand-up comedian
  • 1958 &ndash; Joey Sindelar, American golfer
  • 1959 &ndash; Martina Cole, English television host and author
  • 1960 &ndash; Laurie Graham, Canadian skier
  • 1960 &ndash; Bill Johnson, American skier (died 2016)
  • 1961 &ndash; Mike Thackwell, New Zealand racing driver
  • 1961 &ndash; Doug Wickenheiser, Canadian-American ice hockey player (died 1999)
  • 1962 &ndash; Mark Begich, American politician
  • 1962 &ndash; MC Hammer, American rapper and actor
  • 1962 &ndash; Gary Stevens, English international footballer and manager
  • 1963 &ndash; Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, Mongolian journalist and politician, 4th President of Mongolia
  • 1963 &ndash; Panagiotis Tsalouchidis, Greek footballer
  • 1964 &ndash; Vlado Bozinovski, Macedonian-Australian footballer and manager
  • 1964 &ndash; Tracy Chapman, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
  • 1965 &ndash; Piers Morgan, English journalist and talk show host
  • 1966 &ndash; Efstratios Grivas, Greek chess player and author
  • 1966 &ndash; Dmitry Volkov, Russian swimmer (died 2025)
  • 1966 &ndash; Leonid Voloshin, Russian triple jumper
  • 1967 &ndash; Christopher Bowman, American figure skater and coach (died 2008)
  • 1967 &ndash; Richard Hutten, Dutch furniture designer
  • 1967 &ndash; Julie Richardson, New Zealand tennis player
  • 1968 &ndash; Celine Dion, Canadian singer-songwriter
  • 1969 &ndash; Troy Bayliss, Australian motorcycle racer
  • 1970 &ndash; Tobias Hill, English poet and author (died 2023)
  • 1970 &ndash; Sylvain Charlebois, Canadian food/agriculture researcher and author
  • 1971 &ndash; Mari Holden, American cyclist
  • 1971 &ndash; Mark Consuelos, American actor and television personality
  • 1972 &ndash; Mili Avital, Israeli-American actress
  • 1972 &ndash; Emerson Thome, Brazilian footballer and scout
  • 1972 &ndash; Karel Poborský, Czech footballer
  • 1973 &ndash; Adam Goldstein, American keyboard player, DJ, and producer (died 2009)
  • 1973 &ndash; Jan Koller, Czech footballer
  • 1973 &ndash; Kareem Streete-Thompson, Caymanian-American long jumper
  • 1974 &ndash; Martin Love, Australian cricketer
  • 1975 &ndash; Paul Griffen, New Zealand-Italian rugby player
  • 1976 &ndash; Ty Conklin, American ice hockey player
  • 1976 &ndash; Obadele Thompson, Barbadian sprinter
  • 1976 &ndash; Troels Lund Poulsen, Danish politician, Minister for Education of Denmark
  • 1977 &ndash; Abhishek Chaubey, Indian director and screenwriter
  • 1978 &ndash; Paweł Czapiewski, Polish runner
  • 1978 &ndash; Chris Paterson, Scottish rugby player and coach
  • 1978 &ndash; Bok van Blerk, South African singer-songwriter and actor
  • 1979 &ndash; Norah Jones, American singer-songwriter and pianist
  • 1979 &ndash; Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Ukrainian footballer
  • 1980 &ndash; Katrine Lunde, Norwegian handball goalkeeper
  • 1980 &ndash; Kristine Lunde-Borgersen, Norwegian handball player
  • 1980 &ndash; Ricardo Osorio, Mexican footballer
  • 1981 &ndash; Jammal Brown, American football player
  • 1981 &ndash; Andrea Masi, Italian rugby player
  • 1982 &ndash; Mark Hudson, English footballer
  • 1982 &ndash; Philippe Mexès, French footballer
  • 1982 &ndash; Javier Portillo, Spanish footballer
  • 1982 &ndash; Jason Dohring, American actor
  • 1983 &ndash; Jérémie Aliadière, French footballer
  • 1984 &ndash; Mario Ančić, Croatian tennis player
  • 1984 &ndash; Samantha Stosur, Australian tennis player
  • 1985 &ndash; Giacomo Ricci, Italian racing driver
  • 1986 &ndash; Sergio Ramos, Spanish footballer
  • 1987 &ndash; Trent Barreta, American wrestler
  • 1987 &ndash; Calum Elliot, Scottish footballer
  • 1987 &ndash; Kwok Kin Pong, Hong Kong footballer
  • 1987 &ndash; Marc-Édouard Vlasic, Canadian ice hockey player
  • 1988 &ndash; Will Matthews, Australian rugby league player
  • 1988 &ndash; Thanasis Papazoglou, Greek footballer
  • 1988 &ndash; Richard Sherman, American football player
  • 1988 &ndash; Larisa Yurkiw, Canadian alpine skier
  • 1989 &ndash; Chris Sale, American baseball player
  • 1989 &ndash; João Sousa, Portuguese tennis player
  • 1990 &ndash; Thomas Rhett, American country music singer and songwriter
  • 1990 &ndash; Michal Březina, Czech figure skater
  • 1991 &ndash; NF, American rapper
  • 1992 &ndash; Palak Muchhal, Indian playback singer
  • 1993 &ndash; Anitta, Brazilian singer and entertainer
  • 1994 &ndash; Alex Bregman, American baseball player
  • 1994 &ndash; Jetro Willems, Dutch footballer
  • 1995 &ndash; Zay Jones, American football player
  • 1996 &ndash; Ryan Noda, American baseball player
  • 1997 &ndash; Cha Eun-woo, South Korean singer, actor, and model
  • 1998 &ndash; Kalyn Ponga, Australian rugby league player
  • 2000 &ndash; Colton Herta, American race car driver
  • 2001 &ndash; Anastasia Potapova, Russian tennis player

Deaths

Pre-1600

  • 116 &ndash; Quirinus of Neuss, Roman martyr and saint
  • 365 &ndash; Ai of Jin, emperor of the Jin Dynasty (born 341)
  • 943 &ndash; Li Bian, emperor of Southern Tang (born 889)
  • 987 &ndash; Arnulf II, Count of Flanders (born 960)
  • 1180 &ndash; Al-Mustadi, Caliph (born 1142)
  • 1202 &ndash; Joachim of Fiore, Italian mystic and theologian (born 1135)
  • 1465 &ndash; Isabella of Clermont, queen consort of Naples (born c. 1424)
  • 1472 &ndash; Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy (born 1435)
  • 1486 &ndash; Thomas Bourchier, English cardinal (born 1404)
  • 1526 &ndash; Konrad Mutian, German humanist (born 1471)
  • 1540 &ndash; Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg, German cardinal (born 1469)
  • 1559 &ndash; Adam Ries, German mathematician and academic (born 1492)
  • 1587 &ndash; Ralph Sadler, English politician, Secretary of State for England (born 1507)

1601–1900

  • 1662 &ndash; François le Métel de Boisrobert, French poet and playwright (born 1592)
  • 1689 &ndash; Kazimierz Łyszczyński, Polish atheist and philosopher (born 1634)
  • 1707 &ndash; Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, French general and engineer (born 1633)
  • 1764 &ndash; Pietro Locatelli, Italian violinist and composer (born 1695)
  • 1783 &ndash; William Hunter, Scottish anatomist and physician (born 1718)
  • 1804 &ndash; Victor-François, 2nd duc de Broglie, French general and politician, French Secretary of State for War (born 1718)
  • 1806 &ndash; Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (born 1757)
  • 1830 &ndash; Louis I, Grand Duke of Baden (born 1763)
  • 1840 &ndash; Beau Brummell, English-French fashion designer (born 1778)
  • 1842 &ndash; Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, French painter (born 1755)
  • 1864 &ndash; Louis Schindelmeisser, German clarinet player, composer, and conductor (born 1811)
  • 1873 &ndash; Bénédict Morel, Austrian-French psychiatrist and physician (born 1809)
  • 1874 &ndash; Carl Julian (von) Graba, German lawyer and ornithologist who visited and studied the Faroe Islands (born 1799)
  • 1879 &ndash; Thomas Couture, French painter and educator (born 1815)
  • 1886 &ndash; Joseph-Alfred Mousseau, Canadian judge and politician, 6th Premier of Quebec (born 1838)
  • 1896 &ndash; Charilaos Trikoupis, Greek politician, 55th Prime Minister of Greece (born 1832)

1901–present

  • 1907 &ndash; Aurora von Qvanten, Swedish writer and artist (born 1816)
  • 1912 &ndash; Karl May, German author (born 1842)
  • 1925 &ndash; Rudolf Steiner, Austrian philosopher and author (born 1861)
  • 1935 &ndash; Romanos Melikian, Armenian composer (born 1883)
  • 1936 &ndash; Conchita Supervía, Spanish soprano and actress (born 1895)
  • 1940 &ndash; Sir John Gilmour, 2nd Baronet Scottish soldier and politician, Secretary of State for Scotland (born 1876)
  • 1943 &ndash; Jan Bytnar, Polish lieutenant; WWII resistance fighter (born 1921)
  • 1943 &ndash; Maciej Aleksy Dawidowski, Polish sergeant; WWII resistance fighter (born 1920)
  • 1945 &ndash; Béla Balogh, Hungarian actor, director, and screenwriter (born 1885)
  • 1949 &ndash; Friedrich Bergius, German chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1884)
  • 1949 &ndash; Dattaram Hindlekar, Indian cricketer (born 1909)
  • 1950 &ndash; Léon Blum, French lawyer and politician, Prime Minister of France (born 1872)
  • 1952 &ndash; Nikos Beloyannis, Greek resistance leader and politician (born 1915)
  • 1952 &ndash; Jigme Wangchuck, Bhutanese king (born 1905)
  • 1955 &ndash; Harl McDonald, American pianist, composer, and conductor (born 1899)
  • 1956 &ndash; Edmund Clerihew Bentley, English author and poet (born 1875)
  • 1959 &ndash; Daniil Andreyev, Russian mystic and poet (born 1906)
  • 1959 &ndash; John Auden, English solicitor, deputy coroner and a territorial soldier (born 1894)
  • 1959 &ndash; Riccardo Zanella, Italian politician (born 1875)
  • 1960 &ndash; Joseph Haas, German composer and educator (born 1879)
  • 1961 &ndash; Philibert Jacques Melotte, English astronomer (born 1880)
  • 1963 &ndash; Aleksandr Gauk, Russian conductor and composer (born 1893)
  • 1964 &ndash; Nella Larsen, American nurse and author (born 1891)
  • 1965 &ndash; Philip Showalter Hench, American physician and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1896)
  • 1966 &ndash; Newbold Morris, American lawyer and politician (born 1902)
  • 1966 &ndash; Maxfield Parrish, American painter and illustrator (born 1870)
  • 1966 &ndash; Erwin Piscator, German director and producer (born 1893)
  • 1967 &ndash; Frank Thorpe, Australian public servant (born 1885)
  • 1967 &ndash; Jean Toomer, American poet and novelist (born 1894)
  • 1969 &ndash; Lucien Bianchi, Belgian racing driver (born 1934)
  • 1970 &ndash; Heinrich Brüning, German economist and politician, Chancellor of Germany (born 1885)
  • 1972 &ndash; Mahir Çayan, Turkish politician (born 1946)
  • 1972 &ndash; Gabriel Heatter, American radio commentator (born 1890)
  • 1973 &ndash; Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton, Scottish pilot and politician (born 1903)
  • 1973 &ndash; Yves Giraud-Cabantous, French racing driver (born 1904)
  • 1975 &ndash; Peter Bamm, German journalist and author (born 1897)
  • 1977 &ndash; Levko Revutsky, Ukrainian composer and educator (born 1889)
  • 1978 &ndash; George Paine, English cricketer and coach (born 1908)
  • 1978 &ndash; Memduh Tağmaç, Turkish general (born 1904)
  • 1979 &ndash; Airey Neave, English colonel, lawyer, and politician, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (born 1916)
  • 1979 &ndash; Ray Ventura, French pianist and bandleader (born 1908)
  • 1981 &ndash; DeWitt Wallace, American publisher, co-founded Reader's Digest (born 1889)
  • 1984 &ndash; Karl Rahner, German-Austrian priest and theologian (born 1904)
  • 1985 &ndash; Harold Peary, American actor and singer (born 1908)
  • 1986 &ndash; James Cagney, American actor and dancer (born 1899)
  • 1986 &ndash; John Ciardi, American poet and etymologist (born 1916)
  • 1988 &ndash; Edgar Faure, French historian and politician, Prime Minister of France (born 1908)
  • 1990 &ndash; Harry Bridges, Australian-born American activist and trade union leader (born 1901)
  • 1991 &ndash; Athanasios Ragazos, Greek long-distance runner (born 1913)
  • 1992 &ndash; Manolis Andronikos, Greek archaeologist and academic (born 1919)
  • 1993 &ndash; S. M. Pandit, Indian painter (born 1916)
  • 1993 &ndash; Richard Diebenkorn, American painter (born 1922)
  • 1995 &ndash; Rozelle Claxton, American pianist (born 1913)
  • 1995 &ndash; Tony Lock, English-Australian cricketer and coach (born 1929)
  • 1995 &ndash; Paul A. Rothchild, American record producer (born 1935)
  • 1996 &ndash; Hugh Falkus, English pilot and author (born 1917)
  • 1996 &ndash; Ryoei Saito, Japanese businessman (born 1916)
  • 2000 &ndash; Rudolf Kirchschläger, Austrian judge and politician, 8th President of Austria (born 1915)
  • 2002 &ndash; Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother of the United Kingdom (born 1900)
  • 2002 &ndash; Anand Bakshi, Indian poet and lyricist (born 1930)
  • 2003 &ndash; Michael Jeter, American actor (born 1952)
  • 2003 &ndash; Valentin Pavlov, Russian banker and politician, 11th Prime Minister of the Soviet Union (born 1937)
  • 2004 &ndash; Alistair Cooke, English-American journalist and author (born 1908)
  • 2004 &ndash; Michael King, New Zealand historian and author (born 1945)
  • 2004 &ndash; Timi Yuro, American singer and songwriter (born 1940)
  • 2005 &ndash; Robert Creeley, American novelist, essayist, and poet (born 1926)
  • 2005 &ndash; Milton Green, American hurdler and soldier (born 1913)
  • 2005 &ndash; Fred Korematsu, American political activist (born 1919)
  • 2005 &ndash; Chrysanthos Theodoridis, Greek singer and songwriter (born 1934)
  • 2005 &ndash; O. V. Vijayan, Indian author and illustrator (born 1930)
  • 2005 &ndash; Mitch Hedberg, American stand-up comedian (born 1968)
  • 2006 &ndash; Red Hickey, American football player and coach (born 1917)
  • 2006 &ndash; John McGahern, Irish author and educator (born 1934)
  • 2007 &ndash; John Roberts, Canadian political scientist, academic, and politician, 46th Secretary of State for Canada (born 1933)
  • 2008 &ndash; Roland Fraïssé, French mathematical logician (born 1920)
  • 2008 &ndash; David Leslie, Scottish racing driver (born 1953)
  • 2008 &ndash; Richard Lloyd, English racing driver (born 1945)
  • 2008 &ndash; Dith Pran, Cambodian-American photographer and journalist (born 1942)
  • 2010 &ndash; Jaime Escalante, Bolivian-American educator (born 1930)
  • 2010 &ndash; Morris R. Jeppson, American lieutenant and physicist (born 1922)
  • 2010 &ndash; Martin Sandberger, German SS officer and convicted war criminal (born 1911)
  • 2012 &ndash; Janet Anderson Perkin, Canadian baseball player and curler (born 1921)
  • 2012 &ndash; Aquila Berlas Kiani, Indian-Canadian sociologist and academic (born 1921)
  • 2012 &ndash; Francesco Mancini, Italian footballer and coach (born 1968)
  • 2012 &ndash; Granville Semmes, American businessman, founded 1-800-Flowers (born 1928)
  • 2012 &ndash; Leonid Shebarshin, Russian KGB officer (born 1935)
  • 2013 &ndash; Daniel Hoffman, American poet and academic (born 1923)
  • 2013 &ndash; Bobby Parks, American basketball player and coach (born 1962)
  • 2013 &ndash; Phil Ramone, South African-American songwriter and producer, co-founded A & R Recording (born 1934)
  • 2013 &ndash; Edith Schaeffer, Chinese-Swiss religious leader and author, co-founded L'Abri (born 1914)
  • 2013 &ndash; Bob Turley, American baseball player and coach (born 1930)
  • 2014 &ndash; Kate O'Mara, English actress (born 1939)
  • 2014 &ndash; Alice Raftary, American educator of blind adults (born 1927)
  • 2015 &ndash; Helmut Dietl, German director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1944)
  • 2015 &ndash; Roger Slifer, American author, illustrator, screenwriter, and producer (born 1954)
  • 2015 &ndash; Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld, Dutch astronomer and academic (born 1921)
  • 2018 &ndash; Bill Maynard, English actor (born 1928)
  • 2020 &ndash; Manolis Glezos, Greek left-wing politician, journalist, author, and folk hero (born 1922)
  • 2020 &ndash; Bill Withers, American singer-songwriter (born 1938)
  • 2021 &ndash; G. Gordon Liddy, chief operative in the Watergate scandal (born 1930)
  • 2021 &ndash; Myra Frances, British actress (born 1942)
  • 2023 &ndash; Doug Mulray, Australian radio and television host (born 1951)
  • 2024 &ndash; Tim McGovern, American visual effects artist (born 1955)
  • 2024 &ndash; Chance Perdomo, British-American actor (born 1996)
  • 2026 &ndash; Chan Santokhi, Surinamese politician, 9th President of Suriname (born 1959)

Holidays and observances

  • Christian feast day:
  • Blessed Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy
  • Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka
  • John Climacus
  • Mamertinus of Auxerre
  • Quirinus of Neuss
  • Thomas Son Chasuhn, Marie-Nicolas-Antoine Daveluy (part of The Korean Martyrs)
  • Tola of Clonard
  • March 30 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • Land Day (Palestine)
  • National Doctors' Day (United States)
  • Spiritual Baptist/Shouter Liberation Day (Trinidad and Tobago)
  • School Day of Non-violence and Peace (Spain)

References

  • BBC: On This Day
  • Historical Events on March 30