March 4 holds a significant place in history with events that shaped nations and cultures. From Vermont joining the United States as the 14th state in 1791 to Abraham Lincoln’s poignant inauguration address in 1861, this date marks critical turning points. Births of influential figures and groundbreaking milestones also dot this day. What other remarkable moments define March 4? Uncover the layers of its historical impact.
History
Major Historical Events
1791 – Vermont Becomes a State: On this day, Vermont was admitted as the 14th state of the United States, becoming the first state to join the Union after the original 13 colonies.
Previously operating as an independent republic, Vermont’s admission marked an important expansion of the young nation.
1801 – Thomas Jefferson’s Inauguration: Thomas Jefferson became the third President of the United States in the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in American history.
His inauguration in Washington, D.C., symbolized the strength of the democratic process during a time of intense political rivalry.
1861 – Abraham Lincoln’s First Inauguration: Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States amid rising tensions over slavery and secession.
His speech called for unity, but just weeks later, the Civil War would begin with the attack on Fort Sumter.
1933 – Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Inauguration: Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as the 32nd President of the United States during the depths of the Great Depression.
In his famous address, he declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” setting the tone for his New Deal policies to combat economic despair.
1987 – Reagan Addresses Iran-Contra Scandal: President Ronald Reagan delivered a televised address acknowledging mistakes in the Iran-Contra affair, where arms were sold to Iran with proceeds diverted to Nicaraguan rebels.
This public admission aimed to restore trust in his administration during a major political controversy.
Famous Birthdays
1678 – Antonio Vivaldi: The renowned Italian Baroque composer and violinist, best known for his concertos like “The Four Seasons,” was born in Venice.
His innovative compositions continue to influence classical music centuries later.
1888 – Knute Rockne: The legendary American football player and coach, who transformed Notre Dame into a powerhouse and popularized the forward pass, was born in Voss, Norway.
His coaching legacy remains iconic in college football history.
1928 – Alan Sillitoe: The British novelist and poet, famous for works like “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning,” which captured the struggles of the working class, was born in Nottingham, England.
His writing became a cornerstone of the “Angry Young Men” literary movement.
1969 – Chaz Bono: The American writer, musician, and activist, known for his advocacy for transgender rights and his public journey, was born in Los Angeles, California.
As the child of Sonny Bono and Cher, he has used his platform to promote awareness and equality.
1982 – Landon Donovan: The American soccer star, widely regarded as one of the greatest U.S. male soccer players, was born in Ontario, California.
His achievements include leading the U.S. Men’s National Team in goals and assists during his illustrious career.
Notable Deaths
1852 – Nikolai Gogol: The influential Russian novelist, short story writer, and playwright, known for works like “Dead Souls,” passed away in Moscow at the age of 42.
His satirical and surrealist style left a lasting impact on Russian literature.
1906 – John Schofield: The American Civil War general and later Secretary of War under President Andrew Johnson died on this day in St. Augustine, Florida.
His military career spanned several key battles, and he played a significant role in post-war Reconstruction efforts.
1986 – Howard Greenfield: The American lyricist and songwriter, who co-wrote hits like “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” with Neil Sedaka, passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 49.
His contributions shaped the sound of pop music in the 1960s.
Today in Music History
1966 – John Lennon’s Controversial Statement: John Lennon of The Beatles sparked outrage when an interview published in the London Evening Standard quoted him saying the band was “more popular than Jesus.”
The comment led to widespread backlash, particularly in the United States, with radio bans and public protests.
1977 – The Clash Releases Debut Single: British punk rock band The Clash released their first single, “White Riot,” which became an anthem of rebellion and social unrest.
The song marked the beginning of their influential career in the punk movement.
1994 – Kurt Cobain Hospitalized: Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was rushed to a hospital in Rome after falling into a coma due to an overdose of painkillers and champagne.
This incident foreshadowed his tragic death just a month later.
Today in Sports History
1968 – Joe Frazier Wins Heavyweight Title: Boxer Joe Frazier defeated Buster Mathis to win the New York State Athletic Commission heavyweight title, marking a significant step toward becoming the undisputed world champion.
His powerful style would later define epic bouts against Muhammad Ali.
1993 – Jim Valvano’s ESPY Speech: Former college basketball coach Jim Valvano, battling terminal cancer, delivered an emotional speech at the inaugural ESPY Awards, urging people to “never give up.”
His words and foundation for cancer research continue to inspire millions.
Today in Military and Naval History
1789 – U.S. Constitution Goes Into Effect: The United States Constitution officially took effect, establishing the framework for the federal government.
While not a direct military event, it laid the groundwork for the nation’s military structure under a unified command.
1865 – Lincoln’s Second Inauguration Amid Civil War: As the Civil War neared its end, Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address, calling for “malice toward none” and “charity for all.”
His words reflected the ongoing military struggle and the hope for reconciliation.
1945 – Battle of Iwo Jima Continues: During World War II, U.S. forces continued intense fighting on Iwo Jima, with significant casualties on both sides.
By March 4, American troops had secured key positions, though the battle would rage on for weeks.
Today in Tech and Science History
1955 – First Radio Fax Transmission Across Continents: The first successful radio facsimile transmission between continents occurred when a photo was sent from London to New York.
This breakthrough paved the way for modern fax technology and global communication.
2005 – NASA’s Mars Rover Opportunity Discovery: NASA announced that the Mars rover Opportunity had found evidence of ancient water flows in the Meridiani Planum region, bolstering theories about past life-supporting conditions on the Red Planet.
This discovery marked a milestone in planetary exploration.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1924 – Premiere of “Happy Birthday to You” Tune: The melody of “Happy Birthday to You,” originally published as “Good Morning to All” by Patty and Mildred J. Hill, began to be widely associated with birthday celebrations around this time, though exact dates vary.
Its cultural significance as a universal song grew rapidly.
1952 – Ernest Hemingway Completes “The Old Man and the Sea”: On this day, Ernest Hemingway put the finishing touches on his novella “The Old Man and the Sea,” which would win the Pulitzer Prize and contribute to his Nobel Prize in Literature.
The story remains a classic of American literature.
1981 – “Dynasty” Becomes a Cultural Hit: The popular TV soap opera “Dynasty” aired an episode that solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon, drawing massive viewership.
The show’s glamorous drama shaped 1980s television trends.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1837 – Chicago Incorporated as a City: Chicago officially became a city on this day, with a population of just over 4,000.
Amusingly, early residents dealt with muddy streets so severe that pedestrians often sank knee-deep, earning it the nickname “Mud City.”
1917 – Jeannette Rankin Takes Office: Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, taking her seat as a Representative from Montana.
In a quirky twist, she later admitted to being so nervous that she forgot to vote on her first roll call.
Today in History for Kids
1797 – John Adams Becomes President: John Adams was sworn in as the second President of the United States, taking over from George Washington.
Imagine being the first person to follow the “Father of Our Country”—that’s a big job for anyone!
1829 – Andrew Jackson’s Wild Party: When Andrew Jackson became president, he threw a huge party at the White House.
So many people showed up that they broke furniture and tracked mud everywhere—talk about a messy celebration!
1913 – Woodrow Wilson’s Inauguration: Woodrow Wilson became president on this day, and he was the first to have a big parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate.
Kids back then loved watching the marching bands and colorful floats.
1933 – FDR’s Famous Speech: Franklin D. Roosevelt became president during a tough time called the Great Depression.
He gave a speech telling everyone not to be afraid, and it made people feel hopeful again.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1681 – William Penn Receives Land Grant: King Charles II of England granted William Penn a charter for what would become Pennsylvania.
Notably, Penn originally wanted to name it “Sylvania” (meaning “forest land”), but the king added “Penn” to honor his father.
1849 – Zachary Taylor’s Delayed Inauguration: Zachary Taylor was supposed to be inaugurated as U.S. President on March 4, but because it was a Sunday, he postponed it to March 5.
This led to a quirky 24-hour period where the country technically had no president.
1902 – American Automobile Association Founded: The AAA was established on this day in Chicago to advocate for better roads and driver safety.
Fun fact: one of their first campaigns was to stop people from throwing nails on roads to pop horse carriage tires!
1975 – Charlie Chaplin Knighted: Legendary actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on this day, decades after his iconic silent films.
Surprisingly, he was so frail at 85 that he received the honor in a wheelchair at Buckingham Palace.