Calendar icon showing March 25 for Today in History post

March 25 in History: Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, Concorde’s First Flight, and “The Bachelor” Debuts

Scott Winters March 25, 2026 1 Comment

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

MARCH 25 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1776 – The Continental Congress authorized a medal for General George Washington.

1813 – The frigate USS Essex flew the first U.S. flag in battle in the Pacific.

1857 – Frederick Laggenheim took the first photo of a solar eclipse.

1865 – The SS General Lyon at Cape Hatteras caught fire and sank. 400 people were killed.

1898 – The Intercollegiate Trapshooting Association was formed in New York, NY.

1900 – The U.S. Socialist Party was formed in Indianapolis, IN.

1902 – Irving W. Colburn patented the sheet glass drawing machine.

1911 – In New York, NY, 146 garment workers (123 women and 23 men) were killed in a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. The owners of the company were indicted on manslaughter charges because some of the employees had been behind locked doors in the factory. They were later acquitted. In 1914 they were ordered to pay damages to each of the 23 families that had sued.

1915 – 21 people died when a U.S. F-4 submarine sank off the Hawaiian coast.

1934 – The very first Masters Tournament was held at Augusta National Golf Club. Horton Smith took home the top prize of $1,500.

1936 – The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Maroons in the longest hockey game to date. Overtime play lasted for 116 minutes, 30 seconds. The Red Wings won 1-0 in the sixth overtime.

1940 – The U.S. agreed to give Britain and France access to all American warplanes.

1947 – John D. Rockefeller III presented a check for $8.5 million to the United Nations for the purchase of land for the site of the U.N. center.

1954 – RCA manufactured its first color television sets and began mass production. It sold for $1,000, which is equivalent to about $8,000 today.

1960 – A guided missile was launched from a nuclear powered submarine for the first time.

1965 – Martin Luther King Jr. led a group of 25,000 on a 4 day, 50 mile civil rights protest march to the state capital in Montgomery, AL.

1966 – The Supreme Court ruled that the “poll tax” was unconstitutional.

1968 – The 58th and final episode of “The Monkees” television show was aired.

1968 – CBS aired the 249th and final original episode of TV’s “The Andy Griffith Show”.

1970 – The Concorde made its first supersonic flight.

1971 – The Boston Patriots, soon to move into a stadium in suburban Foxboro, MA, became the New England Patriots.

1972 – Bobby Hull joined Gordie Howe to become only the second National Hockey League player to score 600 career goals.

1979 – The first fully functional Space Shuttle orbiter, Columbia, was delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center to be prepared for its first launch.

1982 – The TV show “Cagney and Lacey” debuted.

1982 – Wayne Gretzky became the first player in the NHL to score 200 points in a season.

1983 – Congress passed legislation to rescue the U.S. Social Security system from bankruptcy.

1988 – Robert E. Chambers Jr. pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of 18 year old Jennifer Levin. The case was known as New York City’s “preppie murder case.”

1995 – Boxer Mike Tyson was released from jail after serving 3 years for rape.

1996 – The European Union’s Veterinarian Committee baned the export of British beef and its by-products as a result of mad cow disease.

1996 – An 81-day standoff by the anti-government Freemen began at a ranch near Jordan, MT.

1996 – The movie “Twister” became the first feature film to be released on DVD.

1996 – The U.S. issued a newly redesigned $100 bill for circulation.

1997 – Former President George Bush parachuted from a plane over the Arizona desert.

1998 – A cancer patient was the first known to die under Oregon’s doctor-assisted suicide law.

1998 – The FCC netted $578.6 million at auction for licenses for new wireless technology.

1998 – Quinn Pletcher was found guilty on charges of extortion. He had threatened to kill Bill Gates unless he was paid $5 million.

2001 – Björk wore a swan dress to the Grammy Awards.

2002 – The TV show “The Bachelor” debuted on ABC.

2020 – It was announced that Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II’s son and the heir to the British throne, had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and was self-isolating in Scotland.

2020 – The Tony Awards and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were postponed due to COVID-19.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MARCH 25:

Gene Shalit – 100 years old (1926) – Journalist and critic

Gloria Steinem – 92 years old (1934) – Feminist activist, co-founded the Women's Media Center

Tom Monaghan – 89 years old (1937) – Businessman, founded Domino's Pizza

Robert J. Birgeneau – 84 years old (1942) – Canadian-American physicist

Paul Michael Glaser – 83 years old (1943) – Actor and director

Stephen Hunter – 80 years old (1946) – Author and critic

Bonnie Bedelia – 78 years old (1948) – Actress

Sue Klebold – 77 years old (1949) – Activist

Ronnie McDowell – 76 years old (1950) – Singer-songwriter

David Paquette – 76 years old (1950) – American-New Zealander pianist

Thom Loverro – 72 years old (1954) – Journalist and author

Lee Mazzilli – 71 years old (1955) – Baseball player, coach, and manager

Jim Uhls – 69 years old (1957) – Screenwriter and producer

Susie Bright – 68 years old (1958) – Journalist, author, and critic

John Ensign – 68 years old (1958) – Physician and politician

Ray Tanner – 68 years old (1958) – Baseball player and coach

Mike Aulby – 66 years old (1960) – Bowler

Brenda Strong – 66 years old (1960) – Actress

Mark Brooks – 65 years old (1961) – Golfer

Marcia Cross – 64 years old (1962) – Actress

Norm Duke – 62 years old (1964) – Bowler

Buzz Osborne – 62 years old (1964) – Musician

Avery Johnson – 61 years old (1965) – Basketball player and coach

Sarah Jessica Parker – 61 years old (1965) – Actress, producer, and designer

Tom Glavine – 60 years old (1966) – Baseball player

Matthew Barney – 59 years old (1967) – Sculptor and photographer

Doug Stanhope – 59 years old (1967) – Comedian and actor

Debi Thomas – 59 years old (1967) – Figure skater and physician

Dale Davis – 57 years old (1969) – Basketball player

Stacy Dragila – 55 years old (1971) – Pole vaulter and coach

Cammi Granato – 55 years old (1971) – Ice hockey player and sportscaster

Sheryl Swoopes – 55 years old (1971) – Basketball player and coach

Bob Sura – 53 years old (1973) – Basketball player

Lark Voorhies – 52 years old (1974) – Actress and singer

Nate Bargatze – 47 years old (1979) – Stand-up comedian and actor

Casey Neistat – 45 years old (1981) – YouTube personality

Danica Patrick – 44 years old (1982) – Race car driver

Jenny Slate – 44 years old (1982) – Comedian, actress and author

Katharine McPhee – 42 years old (1984) – Singer-songwriter and actress

Carmen Rasmusen – 41 years old (1985) – Canadian-American singer-songwriter and actress

Megan Gibson – 40 years old (1986) – Softball player

Kyle Lowry – 40 years old (1986) – Basketball player

Big Sean – 38 years old (1988) – Rapper, singer and songwriter

Ryan Lewis – 38 years old (1988) – Music producer

Aly Michalka – 37 years old (1989) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Mikey Madison – 27 years old (1999) – Actress

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MARCH 25:

International Waffle Day: Start your day off right with a warm and crispy breakfast treat topped with your favorite fruits, syrups, and whipped cream.
American Red Cross Giving Day: The American Red Cross has given healthcare to those in need for generations, from volunteer blood drives to mobile vaccination sites. Volunteer to help!
Tolkien Reading Day: Take a journey through a magical world filled with brave heroes, fierce battles, and unforgettable adventures in a beloved classic series.
Maryland Day: Did you know that Maryland Day is a special day celebrated every year in the springtime? This day is set aside to honor Maryland's history and heritage! How to Celebrate Maryland Day Today, Maryland Day is observed with various activities and events that highlight the state's rich heritage. Schools play a...
Bed-in for Peace Day: Bed-in for Peace Day honors a uniquely gentle form of protest popularized by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who turned staying in bed into a headline-making plea for nonviolence. Instead of marching through streets or shouting into megaphones, they leaned into stillness. They used the world’s curiosity about celebrity life...
Manatee Appreciation Day: Gentle giants of the sea, these lovable creatures spend their days munching on seagrass and swimming in crystal clear waters.
National Governance Professionals Day: National Governance Professionals Day spotlights the people who keep organizations from veering into chaos, controversy, or “Wait, are we allowed to do that?” territory. Governance professionals work behind the scenes to make sure decision-making is structured, ethical, and properly documented, whether the setting is a corporation, nonprofit, association, or public...
International Day of the Unborn Child: The International Day of the Unborn Child is a significant observance held every year on March 25. This day highlights the value and dignity of unborn children and aims to foster a culture that respects all human life from conception. This date aligns with the Feast of the Annunciation, making it...
National Lobster Newburg Day: National Lobster Newburg Day is a celebration of culinary indulgence, honoring the iconic seafood dish Lobster Newburg. At its best, this classic is the kind of restaurant-worthy comfort food that somehow manages to be both glamorous and cozy. Tender chunks of lobster are warmed in butter and tucked into a velvety...
Little Red Wagon Day: Did you know Little Red Wagon Day zooms into our calendars every year? This day is all about celebrating a simple toy that has captured the hearts of children for generations. It's a perfect mid-week break to relive the joys of childhood, whether you're young or just young at heart! How...
National OmazingYou Day: National OmazingYou Day spotlights something that sounds simple but can be surprisingly tricky in real life: treating oneself with the same respect, patience, and warmth that people often reserve for others. It encourages self-acceptance and self-love, not as fluffy buzzwords, but as everyday practices that support emotional steadiness, healthier choices...
World Retrospective Day: People work fast. Tasks pile up. Projects race forward. In the middle of all that, something often gets lost—reflection. World Retrospective Day invites teams to pause and look back. Not to dwell, but to learn. Groups meet, talk honestly, and figure out what worked and what didn’t. These moments spark...
Whole Grain Sampling Day: Whole grains pack a punch with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support heart health, steady energy, and better digestion. They’re also rich in antioxidants, which many people are eager to include in their diets. Whole Grain Sampling Day invites everyone to experience these benefits firsthand, turning grains like quinoa, oats...
National Michelle Shafer Half-Moon Cookie Day: National Michelle Shafer Half-Moon Cookie Day is a heartfelt day of remembrance marked by enjoying the sweet treat that Michelle Shafer herself loved: the half-moon cookie. This day invites people to indulge in these iconic cookies, which feature a fluffy vanilla base topped with chocolate and vanilla split icing, symbolizing...
National Medal of Honor Day: National Medal of Honor Day celebrates real-life heroes. Celebrated annually, this special day honors those who received the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. It's a day full of respect and admiration for over 3,500 individuals who have shown incredible bravery and selflessness, and also to...
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade: The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade honors the millions of Africans who were kidnapped, sold, transported, and exploited, and it recognizes the families and communities that were fractured in the process. It invites people around the world to pause and think...
Feast of the Annunciation: The Feast of the Annunciation, celebrated each year on March 25, marks a vital moment in the Christian faith—the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ. This event, known as the Annunciation, signifies the moment God became man, intertwining...
Greek Independence Day: Embracing autonomy, Greece's journey echoes resilience, embodying a spirited quest for self-determination and the triumph of sovereignty.
Document Freedom Day: Document Freedom Day marks a global push for open standards in how we create and share files. It shows why we need formats everyone can use freely. When documents stay locked in one software, you might lose access later. Open formats flip that script. They let people work together, no matter...
International Day Of Solidarity With Detained And Missing Staff Members: International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members draws attention to aid and UN workers who’ve been taken, held, or disappeared while helping others. These are not distant figures—they are drivers, doctors, journalists, and translators working in dangerous places. Some were feeding children. Others were protecting refugees or reporting...
Waffle Day (Våffeldagen): Mmm, imagine biting into a warm, crispy waffle topped with sweet berries and whipped cream. In Sweden, such delights take center stage during International Waffle Day, known locally as Våffeldagen. This special day celebrates the nation's love for waffles, marking the arrival of spring with joy and indulgence. Families and...
March Madness: Get your game face on for March Madness! This high-energy tournament is a slam dunk of excitement, passion, and heart-pumping action. So grab your team colors, gear up for the showdown, and let the madness begin!
National Tsunami Awareness Week: National Tsunami Awareness Week sparks a wave of readiness during this time each year. This week is set aside to spread knowledge about the serious threat of tsunamis, especially in regions with high risk! How to Observe National Tsunami Awareness Week Host a Tsunami Trivia Night Gather friends or neighbors for a...
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...
Tick Bite Prevention Week: Tick Bite Prevention Week, celebrated annually, is a vital period dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of tick bites and how to prevent them! How to Celebrate Tick Bite Prevention Week Celebrating Tick Bite Prevention Week can be both educational and fun. Here are several suggestions to get involved...
Week of Solidarity with Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination: The Week of Solidarity with Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination brings communities together in support of a world free from racial hatred and inequality. This UN-led initiative highlights the voices and stories of those affected by racism worldwide, shining a light on the struggles and resilience of diverse...
National Cleaning Week: Sprucing up the living space can be quite the chore, but the end result is a refreshed and orderly home to be proud of.
National Physicians Week : Healing hands, medical marvels—physicians navigate the intricate realms of health, weaving stories of resilience and care.
UNESCO-ITI World Theater Week: UNESCO-ITI World Theater Week celebrates the magic of live performance across cultures. It highlights voices that rise from every stage. Artists, storytellers, and directors come together to share something real. These stories spark laughter, stir emotion, and open new ways of seeing the world. From packed auditoriums to outdoor street corners...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...