What happened in March 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in March 1991, 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🏅 Morceli Sets Record – Noureddine Morceli of Algeria set a 1,500-meter indoor world record with a time of 3:34.16 at the Placido Fernandez Viagas track meet.
- Mar 2🕊️ Colombia Rebel Group Quits – A group of Colombian rebels formally laid down their arms after 23 years of conflict, marking a significant step towards peace.
- Mar 3🔬 Blood Pigment Slows AIDS – Researchers found that heme, a pigment in red blood cells, slows the growth of the AIDS virus and enhances the action of AZT.
- Mar 4✈️ Jetliner Crash Kills 25 – A United Airlines 737 jet crashed nose-first into a park in Colorado Springs, killing all 25 people aboard.
- Mar 5🔬 Biologists Re-engineer Antibodies – Advances in molecular biology are revitalizing research on monoclonal antibodies, enhancing immune system defenses.
- Mar 6🌌 NASA's Space Station Plan – NASA has refined its ambitious program to build a permanently manned space station, aiming for scientific and exploratory advancements.
- Mar 7🚀 Discovery's Launching On – The space shuttle Atlantis will carry an astronomical observatory into orbit next month despite minor cracks.
- Mar 8👗 Armani and Versace Show – Gianni Versace's bold styles and Giorgio Armani's tailored looks highlighted the fall ready-to-wear fashion shows in a dramatic finale.
- Mar 9📰 Iraq Frees Journalists – Forty Western journalists held by Iraq were handed over to Red Cross officials in Baghdad and were to arrive in Jordan today.
- Mar 10🔬 Computer Defies Einstein – A supercomputer at Cornell University produced unexpected results in simulating gravitational collapse, challenging Einstein's theory.
- Mar 11🗳️ High Voter Turnout – Voter turnout was high in Benin for the nation's first free presidential elections in nearly three decades, with citizens lining up before dawn.
- Mar 12💻 IBM Unveils Workstations – IBM announces new models of its RS/6000 workstations, enhancing performance for scientists and engineers.
- Mar 13🦖 Dinosaur Bones Discovered – Scientists found dinosaur bones near the South Pole, confirming that these prehistoric creatures were globally widespread.
- Mar 14🎓 Academic All-America Team Announced – A team of 30 college basketball players recognized for their academic achievements receives honors from sports information directors.
- Mar 15💉 Europe Approves Centoxin – Centocor's Centoxin drug for septic shock receives approval recommendation in Europe, aiding millions affected annually.
- Mar 16🏅 Soviet Pole-Vaulter Soars – Sergei Bubka becomes the first person to pole-vault over 20 feet, marking a significant achievement in track and field.
- Mar 17🗳️ Soviet Referendum Vote – Soviet voters will cast ballots on President Gorbachev's referendum regarding the nation's political and economic future amid ongoing turmoil.
- Mar 18🗳️ Soviets Vote on Unity – Soviet citizens voted on President Gorbachev's proposal to maintain the union amid political and economic struggles.
- Mar 19🕊️ Gorbachev's Unity Vote – President Mikhail S. Gorbachev appears to have won a bittersweet victory in his fight for national unity amid mixed referendum results.
- Mar 20🌳 Accord on Redwood Forests – Environmentalists and California's lumber industry agree on legislation to protect redwood forests from logging.
- Mar 21🔬 Chemical Shields Cells – Scientists discovered a brain chemical that protects nerve cells affected by Parkinson's disease, marking a significant advance in brain research.
- Mar 22🌍 Flooding in Hawaii – Heavy rains caused extensive flooding on Oahu, affecting over 400 homes and cutting off thousands from Honolulu.
- Mar 23🏒 Goalie Saves 70 Shots – Quebec goalie Ron Tugnutt made 70 saves, matching the second-highest total in NHL history, leading the Nordiques to a 3-3 tie against the Bruins.
- Mar 24🔬 Bubka Breaks Record – Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union broke his own world record for the pole vault today by clearing 20 feet 1 inch.
- Mar 25🏎️ Senna Wins Brazilian GP – Ayrton Senna won the Brazilian Grand Prix, his first victory at home, overcoming rain and mechanical issues to delight fans.
- Mar 26🌍 Germany Leads Exports – Germany overtakes the U.S. as the world's leading exporter, marking a significant shift in global trade dynamics.
- Mar 27🏛️ Harvard Leadership Change – Neil L. Rudenstine becomes Harvard's new president, planning a major reorganization to enhance academic oversight.
- Mar 28🌍 New Theory on Antarctica – Geologists propose that Antarctica was once connected to North America's western coast about 500 million years ago.
- Mar 29🏛️ U.N. Sees Kuwaiti Recovery – The U.N. reported Kuwait is recovering well from Iraqi occupation, with most basic services expected to be restored within six months.
- Mar 30📹 Police Brutality Awareness – The infamous police beating in Los Angeles highlights the need for civilian oversight of police departments.
- Mar 31🏛️ Kuwait Power Struggle – Kuwait's efforts to form a new government post-liberation are stalled due to a power struggle between the ruling Sabah family and opposition groups.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →
Born in March? Pick the day
Every birthday in March has its own On This Day in Headlines book: