This Day In History : March 1

1966 Russian Federation

Venera 3 Becomes First Man-Made Object to Impact Venus

On March 1, 1966, the Soviet spacecraft Venera 3 successfully impacted Venus, marking the first time a man-made object reached another planet. The mission aimed to gather data on Venus's atmosphere and surface. Although the data transmission was incomplete, it was a significant step in space exploration.

Also on This Day in History March 1

Discover what happened on March 1 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, March 1
  • 1880 Isaac Shoenberg

    Russian-British electrical engineer and inventor of the first HD television system

  • 1611 John Pell

    English mathematician who introduced the division sign (÷)

  • 1943 Rashid Sunyaev

    Russian physicist

  • 1941 Michael Lampton

    American astronaut and Founder of the optical ray tracing company "Stellar Software"

  • 1994 Justin Bieber

    Canadian singer, songwriter, dancer

Deaths on This Day, March 1
  • 2001 Joseph Cyril Bamford

    English inventor who invented and manufactured the JCB construction machine

  • 1991 Edwin Herbert Land

    American inventor of instant photography and co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation

  • 2020 Jack Welch

    American businessman and CEO of General Electric GE

  • 2011 John M. Lounge

    American engineer and astronaut (STS 51-I, STS 26, STS 35)

  • 1943 Alexandre Yersin

    Swiss-French bacteriologist who co-discovered the plague bacillus (Pasteurella pestis)

1998

Titanic Becomes First Film to Gross $1 Billion in 1998

On March 1, 1998, James Cameron's epic romance and disaster film "Titanic" became the first movie to gross over $1 billion worldwide. This milestone solidified its place in cinema history, showcasing its massive global appeal and groundbreaking success.
1565

The city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is founded

On March 1, 1565, the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by Portuguese explorers. This vibrant city would grow to become one of Brazil's most iconic and culturally rich locations, known for its stunning landscapes, Carnival festival, and historic significance.
1867

Nebraska Becomes the 37th U.S. State

On March 1, 1867, Nebraska was officially admitted to the United States as the 37th state. This event contributed to the growth and development of the American Midwest, expanding the Union and its territories.
1954

U.S. Hydrogen Bomb Bravo Detonated at Bikini Atoll

On March 1, 1954, the U.S. conducted the Bravo test, detonating the most powerful hydrogen bomb ever tested by the U.S. at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The explosion had significant effects on the surrounding environment and led to increased awareness of nuclear testing impacts.
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