A closer look at the key events on March 31 in history:

In 1999, The film The Matrix is released

The movie centers around computer programmer and hacker Neo, who discovers that the world he lives in is a simulated reality created by sentient machines. With the help of rebels, Neo learns to harness his newfound powers to overthrow the oppressive machine overlords and free humanity from their control. and The science fiction film was a an immense success producing three sequel movies and becoming a cult classic.

In 1964, a military dictatorship takes charge in Brazil

The military dictatorship came after a coup d’etat by the Brazilian Armed Forces against president João Goulart. The dictatorship under Humberto Castelo Branco lasted for 21 years, until 15 March 1985.

In 1918, Daylight Savings Time goes into effect for the first time in the US

It was introduced as a way to make better use of daylight during the longer days of summer, to save energy and promote efficiency.

In 1889, the Eiffel Tower is inaugurated
The 300 meter wrought iron structure was created by Gustave Eiffel to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, was officially inaugurated in Paris on March 31 in 1889.
In 1870, the first African American votes in the US

Thomas Peterson-Mundy of Perth, born in 1824 in New Jersey made history on March 31 by becoming the first African American to vote under the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted African American men the right to vote. He cast his historic vote in a local election in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

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