What happened in March 1984?
The top front-page story of each day in March 1984, 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👶 First Test-Tube Twins – Israel celebrates the birth of its first test-tube twins, a significant milestone in reproductive technology.
- Mar 2📈 Esmark Up Sharply – Esmark Inc. reported net income nearly tripled in Q1 1984, driven by an 81.4% sales increase after acquiring Norton Simon Inc.
- Mar 3✈️ New Airbus Jet Approved – Airbus Industrie announced the go-ahead for its A320 jet after securing financing, with 51 firm orders already placed.
- Mar 4🚄 1st Soviet High-Speed Train – The Soviet Union launched its first high-speed train, the ER-200 Express, reducing travel time between Moscow and Leningrad from eight to five hours.
- Mar 5🏛️ Soviet Union Votes – The Soviet Union held national elections today, marked by civic ceremony but lacking suspense or genuine competition.
- Mar 6🧠 Brain Cell Complexity – New insights into brain cell structure reveal complexities that could enhance understanding of the central nervous system and disorders.
- Mar 7🏭 G.M., Daewoo Partnership – General Motors and Daewoo Corporation sign an agreement to produce small Opel cars in South Korea starting in 1987.
- Mar 8🎼 Muti to Direct La Scala – Riccardo Muti will become the music director of La Scala opera house in Milan starting in 1986, while continuing his role in Philadelphia.
- Mar 9🏭 Korean Shipyard Lag – South Korea's shipbuilding industry failed to receive foreign orders in February, raising concerns about its future.
- Mar 10🎭 Met Opera Revives Opera – The Metropolitan Opera revived Riccardo Zandonai's 'Francesca da Rimini' after 66 years, showcasing its historical significance and artistic value.
- Mar 11🌍 Berlin Honors Owens – Berlin renamed a street to Jesse Owens Avenue, honoring his four Olympic gold medals won in 1936, symbolizing triumph over adversity.
- Mar 12🖼️ Pope Declares New Saint – Pope John Paul II canonized Sister Paola Frassinetti, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Dorothy, praising her contributions to women's value.
- Mar 13🌍 Brazilian Elected O.A.S. Chief – Joao Clemente Baena Soares of Brazil was elected Secretary General of the Organization of American States today.
- Mar 14🌍 Lebanon Cease-Fire Pact – Lebanon's factional leaders agreed on a cease-fire in Beirut after a unity conference, marking a significant step towards peace.
- Mar 15🚀 Canadian Astronaut Chosen – Marc Garneau has been selected as a payload specialist for the upcoming space shuttle mission, marking him as the first Canadian in space.
- Mar 16🌏 Swiss Join United Nations – The Swiss lower house voted 112-78 to support joining the United Nations, pending approval from the upper house and a national referendum.
- Mar 17🏛️ Mozambique-South Africa Accord – Mozambique and South Africa signed a nonaggression treaty, marking a historic first between a black-ruled African nation and its ideological adversary.
- Mar 18🎨 Brahms Celebrations Continue – Deutsche Grammophon expands its Brahms Edition with new recordings, celebrating the composer's 151st birthday and enriching the classical music market.
- Mar 19🏆 High School Records Set – Dennis Mitchell and Wenda Vereen set national 300-meter dash records at the Pathmark National Scholastic Classic in Princeton.
- Mar 20🏛️ Chinese Leader Visits Nepal – President Li Xiannian of China arrived in Nepal, marking the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the Himalayan kingdom.
- Mar 21🌍 Powerful Earthquake Strikes – A powerful earthquake rocked Soviet Central Asia near Bukhara, causing building damage and requiring assistance for residents.
- Mar 22🌍 Acid Rain Pact Signed – Ten nations, including Canada and nine European countries, signed an agreement to reduce sulfur emissions by 30% over the next decade to combat acid rain.
- Mar 23🌸 Spring Arrives Musically – Musicians celebrate the arrival of spring with performances of classical pieces like Beethoven's 'Spring' Sonata.
- Mar 24🌍 U.S.-China Data Link – ITT World Communications established a high-speed data link between China and the U.S., enhancing communication capabilities.
- Mar 25🏊 Swimmer's Olympic Goals – Ricardo Prado emphasizes the Brazilian Olympic Committee's expectations for him to win gold in swimming at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics.
- Mar 26🌋 Mauna Loa Erupts – Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, erupted today with its heaviest lava flow in nearly 35 years, but no immediate danger was reported.
- Mar 27🔬 Implant Brings Sound – A deaf patient responds to sound after receiving an implant, showcasing medical advancements in hearing restoration.
- Mar 28🏛️ House Votes Disability Bill – The House approved a bill easing the review process for disability benefits, ensuring payments during appeals, with a vote of 410 to 1.
- Mar 29🏛️ Nautilus Museum Groundbreaking – Ground-breaking ceremonies were held today for the Nautilus submarine museum and memorial.
- Mar 30🌪️ Tornadoes Kill 60 – At least 60 people died and hundreds were injured due to tornadoes that struck the Carolinas, causing widespread destruction.
- Mar 31🌋 Hawaii Volcanoes Erupt – Both Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawaii erupted simultaneously, marking a rare event not seen since 1868.
Happy Birthday! 1984 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1984 in real headlines. See the 1984 book →
Born in March? Pick the day
Every birthday in March has its own On This Day in Headlines book: