This Day In History : March 25

1995 United States

WikiWikiWeb, the world's first wiki, is launched

On March 25, 1995, WikiWikiWeb, the world's first wiki, is launched by Ward Cunningham. This innovative platform allows users to collaboratively create and edit web pages, laying the foundation for modern collaborative web projects, including Wikipedia.

Also on This Day in History March 25

Discover what happened on March 25 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, March 25
  • 1923 Kenneth L. Franklin

    Kenneth Linn Franklin was an American astronomer who co-discovered that the giant planet Jupiter emits radio waves (1955).

  • 1914 Norman Ernest Borlaug

    American agricultural scientist, plant pathologist, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1970.

  • 1865 Pierre Weiss

    French physicist who investigated magnetism and determined the Weiss magneton unit of magnetic moment.

  • 1844 Adolf Engler

    German botanist famous for his system of plant classification and for his expertise as a plant geographer.

  • 1833 Fleeming Jenkin

    British engineer noted for his work in establishing units of electrical measurement.

Deaths on This Day, March 25
  • 1712 Nehemiah Grew

    English botanist, physician, and microscopist, who was one of the founders of the science of plant anatomy.

  • 1818 Caspar Wessel

    Norwegian surveyor and mathematician who demonstrated innovative mathematical skills as a surveyor, mathematically processing the triangulation data and preparing maps.

  • 1860 James Braid

    Scottish optometrist whose experiments led him to an early theory of hypnosis that dismissed the idea of "animal magnetism."

  • 1867 Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge

    German chemist considered to be the originator of the widely used analytic technique of paper chromatography.

  • 1995 James S. Coleman

    American sociologist who was a pioneer in mathematical sociology and whose studies strongly influenced education policy.

1655

Titan

In 1655, Christiaan Huygens (1629-95) discovered Titan, Saturn's largest satellite and the easiest to observe.
2024

Venice is Founded

On March 25, 421, at 12:00 PM, the foundations of Venice are established. The city, known for its unique waterways and architecture, begins as a settlement on a series of islands in the Venetian Lagoon. This marks the start of Venice's journey to becoming a major maritime power and cultural hub.
1807

First Railway Passenger Service Begins

On March 25, 1807, the world's first railway passenger service starts operating on the Oystermouth Railway in Wales. This pioneering service marks a significant development in transportation, offering a new mode of travel for passengers and setting the stage for the growth of the railway industry.
1960

First Guided Missile Launched from Nuclear Submarine

On March 25, 1960, the USS Halibut achieved a major breakthrough by launching the first guided missile from a nuclear-powered submarine. This event highlighted advancements in naval technology and the evolving capabilities of submarines.
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