Day Of Action on Syringe Exchange
March 21st is recognized as the National Day of Action on Syringe Exchange. Syringe exchange programs, also known as syringe service programs (SSPs), are a vital component of harm reduction and are an important tool in combating the overdose epidemic.Syringe exchange programs (SEPs), also known as needle exchange programs or harm reduction programs, are public health initiatives designed to reduce the spread of bloodborne diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, among people who inject drugs. These programs provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to exchange used syringes for sterile ones. The overarching goal is to minimize the negative health consequences associated with drug use while promoting safer injection practices and connecting individuals to healthcare resources.
World Puppetry Day
World Puppetry Day is celebrated every year on March 21st, and it’s all about honoring the rich global tradition of puppetry as both an art form and a means of storytelling, education, and cultural expression. To celebrate and promote the art of puppetry worldwide, recognizing its cultural significance and power to educate, entertain, and inspire across all ages and communities.
Big Bang Day
Big Bang Day is observed on March 21st every year to mark the anniversary of the Planck Collaboration’s first all-sky map. The astute discovery presented a coherent selection of cosmic microwave background radiation and confirmed the standard model of cosmology. On March 21st, 2013, over 15 months of observation came to fruition when the European Space Agency released an all-sky map that traced the oldest existing light in the Universe. The news of the discovery sent waves of awe and inspiration across the world, and the first Big Bang Day was celebrated by enthusiasts of space discovery. The day marks the turning point in our study of the Big Bang Theory, forever changing the cosmic calendar and the realm of inter-terrestrial discovery.
Here’s a look at some notable events that happened on March 21st throughout history:
Historical Events:
1556 – Thomas Cranmer, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, was burned at the stake for heresy under Queen Mary I of England.
1804 – The Napoleonic Code (Code Civil), a fundamental reform of the French legal system, was adopted in France.
1960 – The Sharpeville Massacre occurred in South Africa: Police opened fire on a peaceful protest against pass laws, killing 69 people.
1963 – Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary officially closed as a prison. The last 27 inmates were transferred out.
1965 – Martin Luther King Jr. led more than 3,000 civil rights demonstrators in the Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama.
2006 – Twitter was founded by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams.
Famous Birthdays:
1685 – Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer and musician.
1768 – Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier, French mathematician and physicist.
1946 – Timothy Dalton, British actor (James Bond).
1958 – Gary Oldman, English actor and filmmaker.
1980 – Ronaldinho, Brazilian football legend.
Notable Deaths
1556 – Thomas Cranmer
Archbishop of Canterbury and a key figure in the English Reformation. He was executed by burning at the stake for heresy under Queen Mary I.
1617 – Pocahontas (born Matoaka)
Native American figure associated with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. She died in England at around age 21 or 22.
1915 – Frederick Winslow Taylor
American mechanical engineer and pioneer of scientific management (Taylorism), which revolutionized industrial efficiency.
1935 – Lajos Méhelÿ
Hungarian zoologist and one of the early evolutionary biologists in Hungary.
1953 – Heinrich Häberlin
Swiss politician and member of the Federal Council of Switzerland.
1991 – Leo Fender
American inventor and founder of Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company. He created some of the first mass-produced electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and Telecaster.
2006 – Pío Leyva
Cuban singer and a prominent figure in the Buena Vista Social Club ensemble.
2015 – Chuck Bednarik
American football player, considered one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
2021 – Adam Zagajewski
Renowned Polish poet, essayist, and novelist, often mentioned in Nobel Prize discussions.
