March 28: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On March 28, 1910, Henri Fabre became the first person to fly a seaplane, lifting off from a lagoon near Marseille and proving the water and sky could meet.
About March 28
March 28 carries a bold, pioneering energy—fitting for the first full week of Aries season. In Tibet, it is observed as Serfs Emancipation Day, commemorating the 1959 dissolution of the local government. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic and Slovakia honor their educators on Teachers' Day, a quieter but deeply felt celebration of those who shape young minds.
History seems to favor beginnings on this date. In 1566, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta laid the foundation stone for Valletta, creating a capital that still stands as a fortress city. In 1776, explorer Juan Bautista de Anza identified the site for the Presidio of San Francisco. And in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic gave its inaugural concert—a cultural milestone that still resonates.
March 28 also has its shadows. In 1979, a partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania stunned the world. Yet the date is perhaps best embodied by Henri Fabre's 1910 seaplane flight: a leap into the unknown, powered by conviction and a touch of Aries audacity.
Holidays & Observances on March 28
- Serfs Emancipation Day (Tibet)
- Teachers' Day (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
Fun & National Days on March 28
- Respect Your Cat Day — Give your feline overlord the deference they demand—extra treats and chin scratches today.
- National Something On a Stick Day — Skewer anything edible and embrace the joy of food on a stick, from kebabs to cake pops.
- National Black Forest Cake Day — Indulge in layers of chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream—the ultimate German dessert tribute.
- Earth Hour — Switch off your lights for one hour and join millions worldwide in a symbolic stand for the planet.
- Weed Appreciation Day — Celebrate the humble dandelion and other resilient wild plants that thrive where they're least expected.
- Brothers' and Sisters' Day
- Children's Picture Book Day
- Eat an Edy's Pie Day
- National Hot Tub Day
- Take your Parents to the Playground Day
On This Day in History
- 37 — The Roman Senate bestowed the titles of the Principate on Caligula, formally investing him with imperial power.
- 1566 — Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette laid the foundation stone of Valletta, establishing Malta's fortified capital city.
- 1776 — Explorer Juan Bautista de Anza identified the strategic site for what would become the Presidio of San Francisco.
- 1802 — Astronomer Heinrich Olbers spotted 2 Pallas, marking only the second asteroid ever detected by humanity.
- 1842 — The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gave its first-ever concert, conducted by composer Otto Nicolai.
- 1854 — France and Britain formally declared war on Russia, launching the Crimean War's military campaigns.
- 1910 — French aviator Henri Fabre achieved the first successful seaplane flight, taking off from a lagoon near Marseille.
- 1942 — British forces permanently disabled the Louis Joubert Lock at Saint-Nazaire, blocking the German battleship Tirpitz from Atlantic convoy routes.
- 1946 — The U.S. State Department released the Acheson–Lilienthal Report, proposing international oversight of nuclear power.
- 1979 — A coolant failure caused a partial meltdown at Three Mile Island's Unit 2 reactor near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
- 1990 — President George H. W. Bush posthumously awarded Olympic legend Jesse Owens the Congressional Gold Medal.
- 2001 — Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos officially opened, modernizing Greece's primary aviation gateway.
Famous Birthdays on March 28
- 1515 — Teresa of Ávila, Spanish mystic, nun, and theologian whose spiritual writings made her a Doctor of the Church.
- 1592 — John Amos Comenius, Czech bishop regarded as the father of modern education for his pioneering pedagogical theories.
- 1868 — Maxim Gorky, Russian novelist and playwright whose works became foundational to Soviet literary culture.
- 1921 — Dirk Bogarde, English actor who transitioned from matinee idol to acclaimed star of art-house cinema.
- 1936 — Mario Vargas Llosa, Peruvian novelist and Nobel laureate whose political thrillers defined Latin American literature.
- 1955 — Reba McEntire, American country music superstar and actress with decades of chart-topping hits.
- 1970 — Vince Vaughn, American actor and comedian known for his rapid-fire wit in blockbuster comedies.
- 1985 — Stanislas Wawrinka, Swiss tennis champion who captured three Grand Slam singles titles against the sport's elite.
- 1986 — Lady Gaga, American singer-songwriter and actress celebrated for theatrical pop and an Oscar-winning film career.
- 2004 — Anna Shcherbakova, Russian figure skater and Olympic gold medalist renowned for her elegant quadruple jumps.