March 4

Scott Winters March 4, 2026 0 Comments

Discover what happened on March 4 in history, along with notable celebrity birthdays and fun Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1634 – Samuel Cole opened the first tavern in Boston, MA.

1681 – England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn for an area that would become the state of Pennsylvania.

1789 – The first Congress of the United States met in New York and declared that the U.S. Constitution was in effect.

1791 – Vermont was admitted as the 14th U.S. state. It was the first addition to the original 13 American colonies.

1794 – The 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by Congress. The Amendment limits the jurisdiction of the federal courts to automatically hear cases brought against a state by the citizens of another state. It was later expanded to also include citizens of the state being sued.

1826 – The first railroad in the U.S. was chartered. It was the Granite Railway in Quincy, MA.

1837 – The state of Illinois granted a city charter to Chicago.

1861 – The Confederate States of America adopted the “Stars and Bars” flag.

1877 – Emile Berliner invented the microphone.

1877 – Grand Haven, MI’s U.S. Senator Thomas White Ferry (who was acting Vice President) after the V.P.’s death believed he was acting President of the United States for this one day. All set off by the very controversial election of 1876 which was finally decided after 4 months of dispute. Rutherford B. Hayes was actually sworn in on March 3rd, but Ferry didn’t know that at the time.

1880 – The process of halftone engraving was used for the first time when the “Daily Graphic” was published in New York, NY.

1861 – Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President.

1881 – Eliza Ballou Garfield became the first mother of a President to live in the executive mansion.

1902 – The American Automobile Association was founded in Chicago, IL.

1908 – The New York Board of Education banned the act of whipping students in school.

1912 – A very cold stretch of weather settled into lower Michigan. Muskegon set a record with a low of -2 degrees. There were five straight days of below zero temperatures.

1913 – The Department of Labor was formed.

1914 – Siamese twins were successfully separated by Doctor Fillatre of Paris, France.

1917 – Jeanette Rankin of Montana took her seat as the first woman elected to the House of Representatives.

1918 – The first cases of the “Spanish flu” were reported among soldiers at Fort Riley, Kansas. By 1920, nearly one-in-four Americans had suffered from this strain of the flu. It killed about 675,000 people in the United States. Worldwide, estimates put the death toll at 50 million or more.

1918 – The USS Cyclops departed from Barbados and is never seen again, presumably lost with its crew in the Bermuda Triangle.

1925 – Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office in Washington, DC. It was the first Presidential inauguration to be broadcast on the radio.

1930 – Emma Fahning became the first woman bowler to bowl a perfect game in competition run by the Women’s International Bowling Congress in Buffalo, NY.

1933 – In his inauguration speech, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”

1933 – Labor Secretary Frances Perkins became the first woman to serve in a Presidential administrative cabinet.

1947 – WDIV TV, Channel 4 in Detroit, became Michigan’s first television station.

1950 – Walt Disney’s animated film “Cinderella” opened in theaters.

1952 – Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis were married.

1954 – In Boston, MA, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital reported the first successful kidney transplant.

1955 – The white pine became Michigan’s official state tree.

1966 – The Beatles stirred up a worldwide controversy after John Lennon told Maureen Cleave of the “London Evening Standard” that, “The Beatles are more popular than Jesus now.” The remark spurred a huge backlash against the group as many took the comment to be blasphemous,

1970 – Janis Joplin was fined $200 for using obscene language onstage in Tampa, FL.

1974 – “People” magazine was published for the first time as “People Weekly”.

1975 – Queen Elizabeth knighted Charlie Chaplin

1980 – The film of Loretta Lynn’s autobiography, “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, starring Sissy Spacek, had its world premiere in Nashville, TN.

1982 – The TV show “Police Squad!” premiered on ABC. The police show parody was created by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. It starred Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin. The show was cancelled after six episodes, but it successfully spawned “The Naked Gun” film series from 1988 to 1994. In 2013, TV Guide ranked “Police Squad!” #7 on its list of 60 shows that were “Cancelled Too Soon”.

1985 – The Food and Drug Administration approved a blood test for the AIDS infection, used since then for screening all blood donations in the U.S.

1989 – Time, Inc. and Warner Communications Inc. announced a plan to merge.

1993 – Patti LaBelle received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1994 – Four Islamic militants were convicted in the World Trade Center bombing.

1996 – A derailed train in Weyauwega, WI, caused the emergency evacuation of 2,300 people for 16 days.

1997 – President Bill Clinton barred federal spending on human cloning.

1998 – Microsoft repaired software that apparently allowed hackers to shut down computers in government and university offices nationwide.

1998 – The Supreme Court said that federal law banned on-the-job sexual harassment even when both parties are the same sex.

1999 – Monica Lewinsky’s book, “Monica’s Story”, about her affair with President Bill Clinton, went on sale.

2005 – Martha Stewart was released from federal prison in West Virginia and began five months of home confinement. She served five months in jail for lying about a stock sale.

2006 – A TLC television series called “Little People, Big World”, starring the Roloffs family, debuted on TV.

2012 – Vladimir Putin won re-election in Russia’s Presidential election.

2020 – Former Daredevil Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk over the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua

BIRTHDAYS:

Russell Freeburg – 103 years old (1923) – Journalist and author

Samuel Adler – 98 years old (1928) – German-American composer and conductor

Paula Prentiss – 88 years old (1938) – Actress

Jack Fisher – 87 years old (1939) – Baseball player

Robert Shaye – 87 years old (1939) – Film producer

David Plante – 86 years old (1940) – Novelist

Gloria Gaither – 84 years old (1942) – Singer-songwriter

Charles C. Krulak – 84 years old (1942) – General

David Matthews – 84 years old (1942) – Keyboard player and composer

Lynn Sherr – 84 years old (1942) – Journalist and author

James Gustave Speth – 84 years old (1942) – Lawyer and politician

Anthony Ichiro Sanda – 82 years old (1944) – Japanese-American physicist and academic

Gary Williams – 81 years old (1945) – Basketball player and coach

David Franzoni – 79 years old (1947) – Screenwriter and film producer

Bob Lewis – 79 years old (1947) – Guitarist

James Ellroy – 78 years old (1948) – Writer

Tom Grieve – 78 years old (1948) – Baseball player, manager, and sportscaster

Rick Perry – 76 years old (1950) – Captain and politician, 47th Governor of Texas

Sam Perlozzo – 75 years old (1951) – Baseball player and manager

Ronn Moss – 74 years old (1952) – Singer-songwriter and actor

Svend Robinson – 74 years old (1952) – American-Canadian lawyer and politician

Emilio Estefan – 73 years old (1953) – Cuban-American musician and producer

Kay Lenz – 73 years old (1953) – Actress

Chris Smith – 73 years old (1953) – Lawyer and politician

Peter Jacobsen – 72 years old (1954) – Golfer and sportscaster

Mykelti Williamson – 69 years old (1957) – Actor and director

Patricia Heaton – 68 years old (1958) – Actress

Tina Smith – 68 years old (1958) – Politician

Chonda Pierce – 66 years old (1960) – Comedian

Ray Mancini – 65 years old (1961) – Boxer

Steven Weber – 65 years old (1961) – Actor and comedian

Jason Newsted – 63 years old (1963) – Musician and songwriter

Stacy Edwards – 61 years old (1965) – Actress

Khaled Hosseini – 61 years old (1965) – Afghan-American novelist

Kevin Johnson – 60 years old (1966) – Basketball player and politician, 55th Mayor of Sacramento

Fiona Ma – 60 years old (1966) – Accountant and politician

Dav Pilkey – 60 years old (1966) – Author and illustrator

Grand Puba – 60 years old (1966) – Rapper

Mike Small – 60 years old (1966) – Golfer and coach

Evan Dando – 59 years old (1967) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Chaz Bono – 57 years old (1969) – Writer, musician, and actor

Andrea Bendewald – 56 years old (1970) – Actress

Katherine Center – 54 years old (1972) – Journalist and author

Robert Smith – 54 years old (1972) – Football player and sportscaster

Phillip Daniels – 53 years old (1973) – Football player and coach

Linus of Hollywood – 53 years old (1973) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Len Wiseman – 53 years old (1973) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Crowbar – 52 years old (1974) – Wrestler

Tommy Phelps – 52 years old (1974) – South Korean-American baseball player and coach

David Wagner – 52 years old (1974) – Tennis player and educator

Traver Rains – 49 years old (1977) – Fashion designer and photographer

Jean-Marc Pelletier – 48 years old (1978) – Ice hockey player

Trenton Hassell – 47 years old (1979) – Basketball player

Suzanna Choffel – 46 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter

Jack Hannahan – 46 years old (1980) – Baseball player

Michael Henrich – 46 years old (1980) – Ice hockey player

Aja Volkman – 46 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter

Landon Donovan – 44 years old (1982) – Soccer player and coach

Cate Edwards – 44 years old (1982) – Lawyer and author

K. Michelle – 44 years old (1982) – Singer

Drew Houston – 43 years old (1983) – Entrepreneur

Sergio Romo – 43 years old (1983) – Baseball player

Spencer Larsen – 42 years old (1984) – Football player

Raven Quinn – 42 years old (1984) – Singer-songwriter

Zak Whitbread – 42 years old (1984) – American-English footballer

Scott Michael Foster – 41 years old (1985) – Actor

Whitney Port – 41 years old (1985) – Fashion designer and author

Margo Harshman – 40 years old (1986) – Actress

Mike Krieger – 40 years old (1986) – Brazilian-American computer programmer and businessman, co-founded Instagram

Andrea Bowen – 36 years old (1990) – Actress

Draymond Green – 36 years old (1990) – Basketball player

Nick Castellanos – 34 years old (1992) – Baseball player

Jared Sullinger – 34 years old (1992) – Basketball player

Jenna Boyd – 33 years old (1993) – Actress

Michael Gallup – 30 years old (1996) – Football player

Matisse Thybulle – 29 years old (1997) – Australian-American basketball player

Obi Toppin – 28 years old (1998) – Basketball player

George Pickens – 25 years old (2001) – Football player

Jacob Hopkins – 24 years old (2002) – Actor

Miya Cech – 19 years old (2007) – Actress

TODAY IS:

World Obesity Day: Maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge, but a balanced diet and regular exercise can improve physical health and mental wellbeing.
National Snack Day: National Snack Day is a festive occasion celebrating the joy of snacking. It highlights the diverse range of treats people enjoy, from salty to sweet and healthy to indulgent. Whether it’s the crunch of chips, the sweetness of chocolate, or the freshness of fruit, this day is dedicated to those...
National Dance The Waltz Day: National Dance The Waltz Day is a unique celebration that honors one of the most elegant and historically rich dances: the waltz. This special day falls on March 4th every year, providing a perfect opportunity for dance enthusiasts and novices alike to delve into the waltz's charm and grace. The...
National Pound Cake Day: Soft and buttery, this classic baked treat, with its dense texture and subtle sweetness, is the perfect companion for a cozy moment.
National Sons Day: They may be mischievous at times, but their infectious laughter and boundless energy make every day an adventure.
HPV Awareness Day: HPV Awareness Day focuses on a virus that many people carry without knowing it. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, spreads easily through close contact. It doesn’t always cause symptoms, so it often stays hidden. But even when it’s quiet, it can lead to serious problems. This day encourages people to learn what...
National Hug a G.I. Day: Offering warm embraces and solidarity to service members, conveying unwavering backing to those in uniform.
International Game Master (GM) Day: Some people build entire worlds for fun—and then invite their friends to explore them. That’s what Game Masters do. They write quests, create strange creatures, and juggle rules while keeping the game fun for everyone. International Game Master Day exists to thank these people who do all the hard work behind...
International Scrapbooking Industry Day: Capturing life's best moments with a creative twist, it's like a DIY time capsule, filled with memories you can flip through.
Benjamin Harrison Day: Benjamin Harrison Day offers a spirited reason to revisit a president who often gets overshadowed by louder personalities of his era. As the only U.S. president elected from Indiana, Benjamin Harrison has long been a point of pride for history fans who enjoy a story with a strong sense of...
Toy Soldier Day: Stepping into the shoes of medical saviors, adventure seekers, and brave defenders — it's all about dressing up and living the fantasy!
Marching Band Day: Groups of musicians, drums thumping and brass blaring, creating an infectious rhythm that lifts spirits and infuses energy into any gathering.
Holy Experiment Day: Holy Experiment Day celebrates the bold, hopeful spirit of building a community where freedom of belief can thrive. At its heart is a simple but surprisingly challenging idea: people with different convictions can live side by side, disagree strongly, and still treat one another with dignity. That is not a...
Stop Bad Service Day: Stop Bad Service Day is observed on the first Wednesday of March, and it has one simple mission: make customer service less painful for everyone involved. It spotlights the kind of interactions that leave people muttering to themselves in parking lots, refreshing chat windows for the fifth time, or wondering...
National Grammar Day: Crafting sentences with precision, nailing the art of clear communication, ensuring words flow seamlessly for a confident and impactful message.
National Backcountry Ski Day: Snow blankets the ground, untouched and inviting. Skiers gather at dawn, their breath visible in the crisp air. They check their gear: shovels, beacons, and bindings are all secure. A guide leads the way, breaking a path into the wilderness. National Backcountry Ski Day, celebrated on March 4th, is a...
Courageous Follower Day: Courageous Follower Day highlights the vital role of followers in any team or organization. While leadership often grabs the spotlight, this day recognizes the power of committed and engaged followers who contribute to success through their actions and decisions. It celebrates the importance of standing up for the right principles...
World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation: World Day of Fight against Sexual Exploitation brings urgent attention to a global crisis. It highlights the abuse that targets those least able to defend themselves. People of all ages, especially women and children, are forced into terrible situations. The day pushes communities to speak clearly and act bravely. Survivors often...
Do Something Day: When things get tough, it's important to remember that setbacks are temporary. Stay positive and keep pushing towards your goals.
No More Week: Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects countless individuals and families. It's crucial to provide support for those impacted.
Learn What Your Name Means Day: Learn What Your Name Means Day is a special day that encourages us to explore the meanings and origins of our names. On March 6th, embark on a name journey and surprise yourself with some name facts. It's a day filled with discovery and celebration of our identities through...
Old Inauguration Day: Old Inauguration Day recalls a time when presidential inaugurations followed a different rhythm. For over 140 years, leaders took office later in the year, creating a lengthy period between the election and the swearing-in ceremony. This delay gave a new administration time to prepare, but it also meant that the...
School Breakfast Week: Starting the day with a healthy breakfast boosts a child's brainpower, improves mood, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development: Have you ever considered how engineering shapes our daily lives? World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development celebrates the crucial role engineers play in creating a better world. From designing clean water systems to developing renewable energy solutions, engineers tackle global challenges head-on. Their innovations not only improve our quality of...
Teen Tech Week: Libraries evolve with technology, offering digital tools and resources for research, learning, and exploration beyond books.
Peace Corps Week: Every year, hundreds of volunteers embark on a journey to serve in communities around the world, bringing help and hope to those in need.
Termite Awareness Week: Termite Awareness Week focuses on the importance of protecting homes from termite damage, which often goes unnoticed until it’s extensive. This event urges homeowners to understand the risk termites pose, particularly in warmer months but also throughout the year. Throughout the week, homeowners also learn practical ways to prevent termites. Recommendations...
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
National Professional Pet Sitters Week: Looking for someone to pamper your furry friends while you're away? Professional pet sitters have got you covered!
Women in Aviation Week: Women in Aviation Week celebrates the achievements of women in the aviation industry. This event highlights the vital role women play in aviation, both historically and in modern times. By showcasing the accomplishments of female pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals, it aims to inspire future generations of girls to...
Read an E-Book Week: With an eBook, your entire library fits in your pocket! Plus, they're eco-friendly, cost-effective, and perfect for on-the-go reading.
Women in Construction Week: Women in Construction Week is a holiday dedicated to changing the stereotypes that women face when it comes to careers by giving them new opportunities to look at; the construction industry has many places where women can advance and built a career for themselves. How to Celebrate Women in Construction...
British Pie Week: A culinary tradition cherished across the British Isles, these savory delights encase rich fillings, embodying a heritage of comfort and satisfaction.
National Consumer Protection Week: In a world of endless choices, consumer protection serves to safeguard and empower, ensuring fairness and accountability for all.
Dental Assistant Recognition Week: Brightening smiles and helping patients achieve healthy teeth, dental assistants make dental visits fun, comfortable, and stress-free!
National Invest in Veterans Week: Extending a helping hand to those who've served, ensuring a smooth transition to civilian life with care and respect.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Week: Chocolate Chip Cookie Week is a week-long occasion—and it is just as sweet as its name hints. It’s all about celebrating the beloved chocolate chip cookies. This delectable cookie is loved by bakers everywhere. This American cookie classic is a snack time fave in the United States. But it’s even...
Newspaper in Education Week: Newspaper in Education Week is a special event that highlights the importance of newspapers as educational tools. This week, schools and teachers will use newspapers to teach various subjects. Newspapers help make lessons more engaging and relevant and get kids engaged in a variety of ways! How to Celebrate Newspaper in...
Will Eisner Week: The godfather of graphic novels, Will Eisner revolutionized the comics industry with his iconic characters and stunning artwork.
National Ghostwriters Week: National Ghostwriters Week is an exciting time to spotlight the talented individuals who write in the shadows. This week celebrates the often overlooked yet crucial role ghostwriters play in creating many of the books, speeches, articles, and songs we enjoy! How to Celebrate National Ghostwriters Week Host a Ghostwriter Appreciation...
Hearing Awareness Week: Hearing Awareness Week is a lively event designed to draw attention to the importance of hearing health. This special week encourages everyone to understand the challenges faced by those with hearing loss and promotes actions to support them. It aims to bring communities together, fostering a sense of inclusion and...
National Aplastic Anemia & MDS Awareness Week: National Aplastic Anemia & MDS Awareness Week is a crucial event that raises awareness about aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). These conditions involve the bone marrow failing to produce enough blood cells, leading to serious health issues. Among the most common conditions are frequent infections, easy bruising, and fatigue...
Celebrate Your Name Week: Celebrate Your Name Week is an exciting opportunity for people to embrace and explore the stories behind their names. This event highlights the significance of names, allowing everyone to celebrate what makes their name unique. This celebration also encourages people to take pride in their names, no matter how common...
Cheerleading Week: With infectious energy and unbeatable spirit, they fill the stands with enthusiasm and encourage their teams to victory.
Words Matter Week: Clear expression connects people, conveys ideas, and shapes understanding, making writing and communication indispensable skills for life.
National School Social Work Week: With compassion and expertise, school social workers provide invaluable support in navigating academic, personal, and social challenges.
Telecommuter Appreciation Week: From saving time and money, to being more productive, with remote work, more and more are enjoying the flexibility of working from home.
Write a Letter Appreciation Week: With technology so handy, the joy of sending and receiving hand-written letters grows increasingly rare. Make a point to write a beautiful cursive letter.
Universal Human Beings Week: With empathy and compassion, our collective power to create, innovate, and inspire is what makes us unique.
National Procrastination Week: Procrastination is something everyone does at some point in their lives. Whether it be that important work deadline, attempting to get up early in the morning for the first day of workout, or avoiding speaking with someone super important until the last minute, it is something that everyone can relate...
Return Borrowed Books Week: Few things are as satisfying as returning a stack of library books you've read cover to cover, ready to exchange for new adventures.
Ramadan: During this holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, focusing on spiritual reflection and community. Ramadan is a time for self-improvement and bringing people together in celebration of faith.