March 04

After its informal settlement in 1678, the Dominican mission of Ilagan in northern Luzon was officially established on March 4, 1686. The mission aimed to evangelize local Igorot and other Indigenous groups in the region. Dominican friars built a church and schools, facilitating religious and cultural exchanges. The settlement became a center for agricultural development and local governance. Ilagan’s mission contributed to the spread of Christianity and Spanish influence in the Philippines. Over time, it evolved into a thriving town, preserving its colonial heritage and traditions.

After centuries of suppression following the Scottish Reformation, Pope Leo XIII issues a papal bull to reestablish dioceses and appoint bishops in Scotland. This act revives the full ecclesiastical structure, including the metropolitan see of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Local Catholic communities, long served by missionary priests, welcome the renewed formal presence of their church. The move strengthens the Vatican's influence and acknowledges the growing Catholic population in Scotland. It also sparks discussions on religious freedom and interfaith relations across the United Kingdom. The restoration marks a milestone in the history of Scottish Catholicism.

Joseph Oncale sued Sundowner Offshore Services after experiencing sexual harassment by male co-workers on an oil platform. Lower courts had dismissed the case, questioning whether Title VII covered same-sex harassment. On March 4, 1998, the Supreme Court unanimously held that Title VII's protections apply regardless of the victim's or harasser's gender. The decision affirmed that workplace harassment laws must address all forms of discrimination. Oncale v. Sundowner broadened civil rights jurisprudence and influenced subsequent harassment claims. Employers nationwide updated policies to comply with the ruling.