This Day in History: March 31st

World Transgender Day of Visibility

Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). This day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender people and raising awareness of the discrimination they face. It was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, a transgender advocate from Michigan. The first TDOV was held on March 31, 2009. Since then, it has been championed by Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER), a US-based youth advocacy organization. The day is now celebrated worldwide.

Anandibai Joshi’s Birthday

Anandi Gopal Joshi (or Anandibai Joshi), the first Indian woman to graduate as a doctor abroad, was born in Pune, Maharashtra in 1865. She was also the first Hindu woman to receive a medical degree. It is believed she was the first Hindu woman to travel to America. In 2018, Google honored her birthday with a doodle.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 30

Birthday of Kapilavai Lingamurthy

Famous poet, writer, and literary researcher Kapilavai Lingamurthy was born in 1928 at Jinukunta, Mahbubnagar District, Telangana. He began his career writing poetry but gained recognition for his short stories and literary criticism. He extensively researched folklore and temples in the Palamuru region. Lingamurthy authored over 70 books and held the title “Kavi Kesari” (Lion Among Poets). Notably, he was the first person to receive a doctorate from Telugu University after the formation of Telangana state.

Koneru Hampi’s Birthday

Chess player Koneru Hampi was born in 1987 in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Ranked second in the world for women’s chess by FIDE, Hampi is the first Indian chess player to achieve this position. She also holds the record for youngest Grandmaster, not just among women but all Grandmasters. Hampi has received the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri from the Government of India.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 29

Steve Appleton’s Birthday

Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton was born in California, USA, in 1960. He joined Micron Technology in 1983, working his way up from junior manager to director, vice president, and eventually CEO. Appointed CEO and Chairman in 1994, Appleton is credited with pioneering new trends and innovations in semiconductor technology.

Death of Isaac Newton

Physicist, mathematician, and astronomer Sir Isaac Newton died in Kensington, London, in 1727. Born on January 4, 1643, in Lincolnshire, England, Newton is widely regarded as the “father of science.” His 1687 scientific treatise, Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, is considered a cornerstone of scientific history. It details the theory of gravity and Newton’s three laws of motion, demonstrating that the laws of motion apply universally to objects on Earth and other planets. This work reconciled Kepler’s laws with the theory of gravity.

Other Glimpses from World History on March 31

• The construction of the High Court building in Hyderabad was completed in 1919.
• The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, crossed the border into India in 1959.
• Actor, poet, and playwright Basha Hussain Syed was born in Markapuram, Andhra Pradesh, in 1939.
• Mexican-American singer and dancer Selena Quintanilla Perez died in 1995.
• South Indian actress Rakshitha was born in Maharashtra in 1984.
• The Indian financial year ends on March 31.