1717day.year
A sermon on "The Nature of the Kingdom of Christ" by Benjamin Hoadly, the Bishop of Bangor, preached in the presence of King George I of Great Britain, provokes the Bangorian Controversy.
Bishop Benjamin Hoadly’s 1717 sermon before King George I sparks the Bangorian Controversy over church authority and state power.
Delivered at St James’s Court Chapel, Hoadly’s discourse challenges the necessity of ecclesiastical hierarchy by asserting that Christ’s kingdom is purely spiritual. Preached in front of King George I, it questions the legitimacy of church courts and clerical jurisdiction. The sermon ignites the Bangorian Controversy as pamphlet wars and sermons flood print shops. Clergy and laymen debate the balance between spiritual faith and institutional authority. Parliament intervenes, yet Hoadly retains royal support, illustrating the era’s church-state tensions. The dispute influences later Enlightenment thought on religious tolerance and governance.
1717
Benjamin Hoadly
Bishop of Bangor
George I of Great Britain
Bangorian Controversy
1889day.year
The Eiffel Tower is officially opened.
Gustave Eiffel inaugurated the Eiffel Tower in Paris during the 1889 Exposition Universelle, showcasing French engineering.
On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower officially opened to the public in Paris, France. Designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel, the iron lattice tower stood 300 meters tall and became the tallest man-made structure of its time. Erected for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, it demonstrated advances in iron construction and architectural vision. Initially met with criticism from some artists and intellectuals, it quickly became an emblem of modernity and innovation. Visitors could ascend its levels by stairs or lift to enjoy panoramic views of Paris. Over time, the Eiffel Tower became an enduring symbol of France and one of the most-visited landmarks in the world. Its groundbreaking design influenced future skyscraper construction globally.
1889
Eiffel Tower
1901day.year
Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák premieres at the National Opera House in Prague.
Antonín Dvořák's opera Rusalka premiered at Prague's National Opera House, showcasing his lyrical mastery.
Rusalka, a three-act opera by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, had its first performance on March 31, 1901. The premiere took place at the National Theatre in Prague, attracting audiences eager for Czech-language works. Based on fairy tales of water nymphs and human love, the opera combines lush orchestration with poignant melodies, including the famous 'Song to the Moon.' Dvořák's score and Jaroslav Kvapil's libretto resonated with audiences, reflecting themes of longing and sacrifice. While initially receiving mixed reviews, Rusalka soon became celebrated for its emotional depth and musical craftsmanship. It remains one of the most frequently performed Czech operas worldwide. The success of Rusalka solidified Dvořák's reputation as a masterful late-Romantic composer.
1901
Rusalka
Antonín Dvořák
1913day.year
The Vienna Concert Society rioted during a performance of modernist music by Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Alexander von Zemlinsky, and Anton von Webern, causing a premature end to the concert due to violence; this concert became known as the Skandalkonzert.
The Vienna Concert Society rioted during a modernist music concert by Schoenberg and peers, later called the Skandalkonzert.
On March 31, 1913, a concert featuring works by modernist composers Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Alexander von Zemlinsky, and Anton von Webern sparked chaos at the Vienna Concert Society. Audience members clashed with each other and critics, objecting to the dissonant and atonal pieces on display. The violence forced organizers to halt the performance prematurely, and the incident earned the moniker 'Skandalkonzert.' This explosive event highlighted the deep divisions between traditionalists and avant-garde artists in early 20th-century Vienna. Despite the uproar, the concert propelled modernist music into public consciousness. It marked a defining moment in the Second Viennese School's history and foreshadowed the broader cultural upheavals of the era. The Skandalkonzert remains emblematic of the tensions inherent in artistic innovation.
1913
modernist music
Arnold Schoenberg
Alban Berg
Alexander von Zemlinsky
Anton von Webern
Skandalkonzert
1930day.year
The Motion Picture Production Code is instituted, imposing strict guidelines on the treatment of sex, crime, religion and violence in film, in the U.S., for the next thirty-eight years.
In 1930, Hollywood’s Motion Picture Production Code (Hays Code) was instituted, enforcing strict moral guidelines on American films.
The Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code, was instituted in the United States on March 31, 1930. It imposed strict guidelines on the depiction of sex, crime, religion, and violence in films. The Code was enforced by the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America to mollify public and governmental concerns. It shaped Hollywood storytelling for nearly four decades, influencing genre conventions and narrative styles. The Hays Code was eventually replaced by the MPAA rating system in 1968, but its legacy remains evident in film history.
1930
Motion Picture Production Code
1995day.year
Selena is murdered by her fan club president Yolanda Saldívar at a Days Inn in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Singer Selena was tragically murdered by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar, on March 31, 1995.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known simply as Selena, was a rising star in Tejano music and a cultural icon for the Latino community. On March 31, 1995, she met with her former fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar, at a Days Inn in Corpus Christi, Texas. After Selena accused Saldívar of embezzlement, the encounter turned violent. Saldívar fatally shot Selena, who was rushed to a hospital but did not survive. The shock of her death at age 23 reverberated across the music world and beyond. Selena's legacy endures through her recordings, awards, and numerous tributes, cementing her status as the 'Queen of Tejano Music.'
1995
Selena
murdered
Yolanda Saldívar
Days Inn
Corpus Christi, Texas
2018day.year
Baldi's Basics in education and learning was publicly released.
In 2018, the indie horror-educational game 'Baldi’s Basics in Education and Learning' was publicly released, blending 90s nostalgia with jump scares.
On March 31, 2018, indie developer Micah McGonigal released 'Baldi’s Basics in Education and Learning' on Itch.io as a freeware prototype.
Designed as a parody of 1990s educational software, the game features retro-style graphics and simple math quizzes.
Players navigate a schoolhouse, solving equations while evading the unsettling character Baldi, who awakens if mistakes are made.
The unexpected combination of humor, jump scares, and absurdity quickly went viral on streaming platforms.
A successful Kickstarter campaign followed, funding an expanded commercial version of the game.
'Baldi’s Basics' has since become a cult favorite in indie gaming, influencing new approaches to educational horror.
Baldi's Basics in education and learning