This Day In History : March 4

1968 United States

Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 5 Launched

On March 4, 1968, NASA launched the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 5 (OGO-5). This mission aimed to study Earth's magnetic field and space environment, contributing valuable data to our understanding of geophysical phenomena.

Also on This Day in History March 4

Discover what happened on March 4 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, March 4
  • 1923 Patrick Moore

    English astronomer and writer (A-Z of Astronomy)

  • 1904 George Gamow

    Ukrainian-American nuclear physicist and writer who worked on Big Bang Theory, DNA

  • 1881 Richard C. Tolman

    American mathematical physicist

  • 1847 Carl Josef Bayer

    Austrian chemist who invented Beyer Process to produce aluminum

  • 1877 Garrett Morgan

    American inventor of gas mask and traffic signal

Deaths on This Day, March 4
  • 2008 Gary Gygax

    American game designer, writer, co-created Dungeons & Dragons

  • 2011 Alenush Terian

    Iranian astronomer and physicist

  • 1973 Samuel Tolansky

    British scientist who was expert in spectroscopy

  • 1967 Michel Plancherel

    Swiss mathematician who is known for the Plancherel theorem in harmonic analysis

  • 1989 James A. Parsons

    American metallurgist and inventor of stainless steel

1980

Robert Mugabe Becomes Zimbabwe’s First Black Prime Minister

On March 4, 1980, Robert Mugabe was appointed Zimbabwe's first black prime minister following the country's independence from British colonial rule. His leadership marked a significant moment in Zimbabwe's history as it transitioned into a new era of governance.
1789

U.S. Constitution Goes into Effect in 1789

On March 4, 1789, the U.S. Constitution was put into effect, marking the establishment of the foundational legal framework for the United States. This pivotal moment initiated the functioning of the federal government and set the stage for the nation's governance.
2007

World’s First National Internet Election Held

On March 4, 2007, the world’s first national internet election took place. This landmark event allowed voters to cast their ballots online, marking a significant advancement in the way elections are conducted and increasing accessibility for voters.
1957

S&P 500 Stock Market Index Introduced in 1957

On March 4, 1957, the S&P 500 stock market index was introduced, replacing the S&P 90. This new index, covering a broader range of companies, became a key benchmark for measuring the overall performance of the U.S. stock market.
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