1980⚡ Event
Dallas "Who Shot J.R.?" Episode Airs
The American soap opera Dallas aired "A House Divided," sparking eight months of international speculation over the cliffhanger, "Who shot J.R.?"
entertainment
This Week in History: Week 12
March 18 – March 24
Over 103 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (March 18 – March 24)(20)
1983⚡ Event
West Bank Poison Gas Accusations
Palestinian girls in the West Bank reported breathing difficulties and strange odors, leading to accusations of poison gas attacks.
disasterpolitics
1987⚡ Event
Jim Bakker Resigns from PTL Club
American televangelist Jim Bakker resigned as the host of The PTL Club in the midst of a sex scandal.
religionentertainment
1987⚡ Event
Zidovudine approved for HIV/AIDS
The antiretroviral drug zidovudine became the first treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for HIV/AIDS on March 20, 1987.
medicinelaw
1990⚡ Event
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Theft
Thieves stole thirteen artworks valued at $500 million from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
artslaw
1993⚡ Event
Warrington bombings
Two children were killed by the second of two Provisional Irish Republican Army bomb attacks in Warrington, England, on March 20, 1993.
warpoliticsdisaster
1996⚡ Event
Quezon City Nightclub Fire
The deadliest fire in Philippine history occurred at a nightclub in Quezon City, causing 162 fatalities.
disaster
2003⚡ Event
Invasion of Iraq Begins
A coalition of forces, led by the United States, begins the invasion of Iraq. The invasion aimed to overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein.
warpolitics
2005⚡ Event
Terri Schiavo Feeding Tube Removal
A court order led to the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, sparking a global debate on euthanasia.
lawmedicinephilosophy
2006⚡ Event
Vandalism of Erawan Shrine
A man smashed the statue of Phra Phrom at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, with a hammer. He was subsequently beaten to death by bystanders.
2006⚡ Event
First Twitter Message Sent
Jack Dorsey sent the first message on the social-media network Twitter.
technology
2008⚡ Event
GRB 080319B Observed
The gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B, the farthest object from Earth that was observable by the naked eye, was observed.
sciencespace
2008⚡ Event
Farthest Naked-Eye Event Observed
The gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B was observed, setting a record for the farthest event from Earth observable with the naked eye.
sciencespace
2010⚡ Event
Eyjafjallajökull eruption begins
Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland began a series of volcanic events on March 20, 2010, which later disrupted air travel across Europe.
disaster
2011⚡ Event
Operation Harmattan begins
The French Air Force launched Opération Harmattan, initiating foreign military intervention in Libya during the First Libyan Civil War.
warpolitics
2014⚡ Event
Kabul Serena Hotel mass shooting
Taliban militants killed nine civilians in a mass shooting at the Kabul Serena Hotel in Afghanistan on March 20, 2014.
warpolitics
2015⚡ Event
Bardo National Museum Attack
Gunmen attacked the Bardo National Museum in Tunisia, resulting in the deaths of 24 people.
disaster
2016⚡ Event
Flydubai Flight 981 crash
Flydubai Flight 981 crashed during an aborted landing at Rostov-on-Don Airport, Russia, killing all 62 people on board.
disastertechnology
2019⚡ Event
Syrian Civil War Airstrike
The U.S. Air Force conducted an airstrike in al-Baghuz Fawqani, reportedly killing up to 80 people, including civilians, during the Syrian civil war.
war
2019⚡ Event
Yancheng Chemical Plant Explosion
A major explosion at a chemical plant in Yancheng, China, killed 78 people and injured 640 others.
disaster
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
2001🎂 Birth
Trevor Zegras
Trevor Zegras, an American ice hockey player, was born on March 20, 2001.
sports
2003🎂 Birth
Cooper Hoffman
Cooper Hoffman, an American actor, was born on March 20, 2003.
entertainment
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2016🕊️ Death
Roger Agnelli
Roger Agnelli, a Brazilian banker and businessman, died on March 19, 2016. He was born in 1959.
economics
2016🕊️ Death
Jack Mansell
Jack Mansell, an English footballer and manager, died on March 19, 2016. He was born in 1927.
sports
2017🕊️ Death
Chuck Berry
American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, a pioneer of rock and roll music.
musicentertainment
2019🕊️ Death
William Whitfield
William Whitfield, a British architect, died on March 19, 2019. He was born in 1920.
2020🕊️ Death
Alfred Worden
American test pilot, engineer, and astronaut who flew on the Apollo 15 mission.
spacescience
2024🕊️ Death
Thomas P. Stafford
American Air Force officer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut.
spacescience
2026🕊️ Death
Robert Mueller
Robert Mueller, an American attorney and former Director of the FBI, died.
Trending Topics This Week
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