What happened in March 1983?
The top front-page story of each day in March 1983, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Mar 1🌌 Comet Ice Is Solid – Direct evidence of water in a comet confirms the 'dirty snowball' model of their composition, marking a significant scientific breakthrough.
- Mar 2🚢 Ferry Capsizes – A ferry carrying at least 232 people capsized in south China, leaving 147 missing and feared dead after an overnight thunderstorm.
- Mar 3🧑🍼 Protecting Handicapped Infants – New rules issued to protect handicapped infants from discrimination in medical care, announced by Acting Health Secretary Thomas Donnelly.
- Mar 4🏛️ Reagan Hosts Queen – President Reagan hosted a banquet for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
- Mar 5🕊️ Pope John Paul II Visits – Pope John Paul II was welcomed by Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega during his visit, emphasizing the significance of the meeting.
- Mar 6🌸 Cherry Blossom Time – Japan's Meteorological Agency predicts the cherry trees will bloom, marking the arrival of spring for millions of Japanese.
- Mar 7🏌️ Miller Wins Inverrary – Johnny Miller fended off Jack Nicklaus to win the Honda Inverrary Classic by two strokes, showcasing his golfing prowess.
- Mar 8🚀 Shuttle Satellite Contamination – Contamination found in the tracking satellite for the space shuttle Challenger could delay its upcoming flight.
- Mar 9🏛️ Truman Home Protected – The House voted to protect Harry S. Truman's home in Missouri as a national historic site, preserving its legacy for future generations.
- Mar 10🏔️ 270 Die in Landslide – More than 270 people were killed in a landslide that engulfed a village in northwest China, reported the New China News Agency.
- Mar 11🚀 Space Shuttle Postponed – The launch of the new space shuttle Challenger was postponed due to potential damage to its satellite from a storm.
- Mar 12🏈 Walker's Golden Touch – Herschel Walker signs a record 10-year endorsement deal with Adidas, marking a milestone in sports marketing.
- Mar 13🔬 New Radioactivity Form – A previously unobserved form of radioactivity has been detected in aluminum and phosphorus nuclei by an international research team.
- Mar 14🏆 Brazilian Grand Prix Win – Nelson Piquet of Brazil won the Brazilian Grand Prix, marking the year's first Formula One event with a thrilling performance.
- Mar 15🌍 OPEC Cuts Oil Prices – OPEC members agreed to cut oil prices for the first time in 23 years, reducing Saudi Light crude to $29 a barrel.
- Mar 16🌌 Moon Meteorite Confirmed – NASA confirmed a meteorite found in Antarctica is a piece of the Moon, marking a significant scientific breakthrough in meteorite studies.
- Mar 17🏡 Housing Starts Rise – U.S. housing starts increased by 2.9% in February, reaching an annual rate of 1.76 million units, the highest since 1979.
- Mar 18📈 Japan's Economy Grows – Japan's economy grew by 3% last year, driven by strong consumer spending, exceeding government expectations.
- Mar 19🐼 Panda Romance Blooms – Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling, giant pandas at the National Zoo, successfully mated for the first time in eight years.
- Mar 20🌍 Swallows Return – The swallows returned to their nesting sites in Capistrano, greeted by about 1,000 people, marking the annual migration event.
- Mar 21🌪️ Twister Hits Southern Town – A tornado swept through Leakesville, damaging or destroying 30 to 35 homes. No injuries were reported after the storm.
- Mar 22🎨 Raphael Tapestries Return – Raphael's eight great tapestries returned to the Sistine Chapel today, marking a historic homecoming after 456 years.
- Mar 23🌊 Floods Kill 260 – Floods and mudslides in northern Peru and Bolivia have killed at least 260 people and left hundreds missing, officials reported.
- Mar 24⚖️ Injustice Righted in Moscow – Moscow's Minister of the Interior publicly apologized to a merchant marine mechanic wronged by police over five years.
- Mar 25👶 First Test-Tube Twins – The first 'test-tube' twins in the U.S. were born in Long Island, marking a significant milestone in reproductive technology.
- Mar 26🐼 Panda's Tale Unveiled – Ling-Ling, the famous panda at Washington's National Zoo, captivates with her story, highlighting the charm of these beloved animals.
- Mar 27🏗️ Sistine Chapel Treasures – Treasures designed by Raphael return to the Sistine Chapel after 400 years, marking a significant cultural event.
- Mar 28🏗️ China Steel Plant Proceed – China will continue construction of the second stage of the Baoshan steel complex near Shanghai, as reported by the New China News Agency.
- Mar 29🛰 Satellite Launched – A $53 million satellite was launched to locate downed planes and sinking ships, part of an international experiment.
- Mar 30🌍 New Video Recorder Format – Over 120 companies agree on a common standard for the next generation of video cassette recorders, enhancing global compatibility.
- Mar 31🚀 Challenger Countdown Begins – NASA begins the countdown for the Challenger's maiden flight, set to launch on April 4, carrying four astronauts and a large satellite.
Happy Birthday! 1983 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1983 in real headlines. See the 1983 book →
Born in March? Pick the day
Every birthday in March has its own On This Day in Headlines book: