Year 1818
Samachar Darpan, the first vernacular newspaper, was published in Bengali language by Carey and Marshman from Serampore.
MAY 31
Daily Historical Chronicle
UPSC CSE • State PSC • SSC CGL Matrix
31 May: What Happened On This Day in History
Curated historical timeline of momentous political pacts, freedom struggle uprisings, constitutional developments, scientific breakthroughs, and prominent birthdays recorded on 31 May.
Observances & Special Days
World No Tobacco Day (International)
World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year to highlight the risk associated with the use of tobacco.
Year 1891
Buddhagaya Mahabodhi Society, an organization to encourage Buddhist studies in India and abroad, was established by a Buddhist monk Anagarika Dharmapala.
Year 1910
South African independence.
Year 1929
For the first time Mickey Mouse’s speaking cartoon Carnival Kid was released.
Year 1947
Gandhiji declares that peace must precede partition, and he would not be party to India's vivisection.
Year 1952
Establishment of Sangeet Natak Academy in India.
Year 1961
South Africa became a republic.
Year 1970
Indira Gandhi called for international help as the civil war in Bangladesh, or East Pakistan, had turned two million people into refugees. Many of them were suffering from cholera and smallpox. The authorities of West Pakistan refused to care for them, and India couldn't afford to.
Year 1977
Major Premchand and Naik Nima Dorji Sherpa, in the team on Indian Army Treckers, reached the peak of Kanchenjunga. They were amongst the first Indians to reach this peak.
Year 1981
First developmental launch of SLV-3, Rohini (RS-D1) placed in orbit. It was used for conducting some remote sensing technology studies using a landmark sensor payload.
Year 1987
Daman and Diu to remain as union territories after Goa becomes the 25th state of India.
Year 1990
Lenin International Peace Prize awarded to Nelson Mandela.
Year 1995
Statute Bill, a constitutional amendment bill, introduced in Lok Sabha to extend reservation in jobs and in promotion for SCs and STs.
Born 1683
Jean-Pierre Christin, a French physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and musician.
Born 1725
Ahilyabai Holkar, the hereditary noble Sardar of the Maratha Empire.
Born 1756
Jose Cusodio Faria was born in Candolim of Goa. He was a revolutionary scientist and also known as Abbe Faria.
Born 1921
Suresh Hariprasad Joshi, an Indian novelist, short-story writer, literary critic, poet, translator, editor, and academic in the Gujarati language.
Born 1928
Pankaj Khirod Roy, cricketer (Indian opener, 413 partnership w/Vinoo Mankad), was born in Calcutta. He was the recipient of Padmashree (1975).
Born 1979
Vir Das is an Indian comedian, actor, and comedy musician.
Died 455
Roman Emperor Petronius Maximus was stoned to death by an angry mob.
Died 1874
Bhau Daji Lad (Ramachandra Vitthal Lad
Died 1910
Elizabeth Blackwell, a British physician, notable as the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.
Died 1921
Suresh Hariprasad Joshi, modern Gujarati poet, story writer, and critic, was born.
Died 1973
Mohan Kumaramangalam, Central Minister, died in an air crash near Delhi.
Died 1987
John Abraham, Indian director, and screenwriter (b. 1937)
Died 1988
Dwarika Prasad Mishra, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, passed away.
Died 1994
Pandit Samtaprasad, a famous Tabla player, passed away.
Died 2002
Subhash Gupte, Indian cricketer (b. 1929)
Died 2003
Anil Biswas, an Indian film music director, and playback singer.
Died 2014
Brajanath Ratha, Indian poet and author (b. 1936)