This day in history: 30 march

1856: Treaty of Paris Ends the Crimean War
The Crimean War, fought between Russia and a coalition of the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain, and Sardinia, officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. This treaty marked a significant moment in European diplomacy and military history.
1814: Allies Capture Paris
During the Napoleonic Wars, the coalition forces of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and others captured Paris, leading to Napoleon Bonaparte’s abdication shortly afterward.

1867: Alaska Purchase
The United States signed a treaty with Russia to purchase Alaska for $7.2 million, a deal often referred to as “Seward’s Folly” due to skepticism about its value. This acquisition later proved significant due to Alaska’s rich natural resources.
1870: Adoption of the 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was formally adopted, granting African American men the right to vote. This marked a major milestone in civil rights history.
1981: Assassination Attempt on Ronald Reagan
U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously wounded outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John Hinckley Jr., who claimed his motive was fame. Reagan survived, and the incident led to increased advocacy for gun control laws, including the Brady Bill.

1699: Establishment of the Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, India. This was a significant moment in Sikh history, marking the creation of a warrior community dedicated to protecting the oppressed and upholding justice.
1940: Nanking Declared Capital of Puppet Government
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japan declared Nanking (Nanjing) the capital of a new Chinese puppet government, nominally controlled by Wang Jingwei.
1959: Dalai Lama Flees Tibet
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled Tibet following the Chinese invasion and took refuge in India. This event remains a critical moment in Tibetan history and international relations.

1960: The Langa March in South Africa
Philip Kgosana, a leader of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), led a protest of 30,000–50,000 people from Langa and Nyanga to police headquarters in Cape Town. The march was a response to apartheid laws requiring Black South Africans to carry passbooks. Although Kgosana agreed to disperse the crowd after being promised a meeting with the Minister of Justice, he was later arrested. This event marked a turning point in South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, leading to a state of emergency, mass arrests, and the banning of the ANC and PAC.
1976: Palestinian Land Day Protests
Thousands of Palestinians protested against Israeli land expropriations. While this event primarily occurred in Israel and the occupied territories, it resonates strongly with African solidarity movements due to shared struggles against colonialism and oppression.