On this day

31 March in history.

5 moments from 1889 to 2016: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

1889

The Eiffel Tower opens. Gustave Eiffel climbed his new iron tower in Paris to raise the French flag at the top. Many people mocked it at first. Now it is a symbol of France.

Photo: Benh LIEU SONG / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

1951
UNIVAC I goes to work
The first UNIVAC I computer was handed over to the US Census Bureau, one of the first computers made for business use.
Wikipedia: UNIVAC I
Photo: U.S. Census Bureau employees / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1966
Orbiting the Moon
The Soviet Union launched Luna 10, which soon became the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon.
Wikipedia: Luna 10
Photo: Gregory H. Revera / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
2005
Makemake is found
A team led by astronomer Mike Brown discovered Makemake, a dwarf planet far beyond Neptune.
Wikipedia: Makemake
Photo: NASA, ESA, and A. Parker and M. Buie (Southwest Research Institute) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
2016
A year in space
Astronaut Scott Kelly returned to Earth after almost a year on the International Space Station. Scientists compared him with his twin brother on the ground.
Wikipedia: Scott Kelly (astronaut)Wikipedia: ISS year-long mission
Photo: NASA , Johnson Space Center , Bill Ingalls / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.