March 20 holds a distinguished place in the annals of astronomical history. A decade ago, on this date in 2015, observers in the path of totality witnessed an extraordinarily rare celestial phenomenon: a total solar eclipse that coincided with both the vernal equinox and a supermoon.
The convergence of these three astronomical events created a spectacle of exceptional rarity. During a supermoon, the moon reaches its nearest orbital point to Earth, known as perigee, appearing approximately fifteen percent larger than usual. When this enlarged lunar disk passes directly between Earth and the sun during a total eclipse, the dramatic effect intensifies proportionally.
The next occurrence of an eclipse coinciding with the vernal equinox will take place in 2034. While such alignments follow predictable cycles in cosmic terms, they remain sufficiently infrequent to generate substantial scientific and public interest. In 2018, observers in the South Pacific witnessed a similar convergence of a supermoon and total solar eclipse, though the viewing area remained considerably more limited.
Understanding the Mechanics
The moon follows an elliptical rather than circular orbit around Earth. This orbital characteristic produces varying distances between the two celestial bodies throughout each lunar cycle. When the moon reaches perigee during its new moon phase, and Earth, moon, and sun align precisely, the conditions exist for a supermoon total solar eclipse.
The additional alignment with the vernal equinox—the astronomical marker of spring's arrival in the Northern Hemisphere—adds another layer of significance to the event. This date represents one of two annual occasions when day and night achieve nearly equal duration across the planet.
Historical Milestones on March 20
Beyond astronomical phenomena, March 20 has witnessed numerous significant historical events. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published her influential anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, which profoundly impacted American attitudes toward slavery in the decade preceding the Civil War.
The date marks the 1928 birth of Fred Rogers in Pennsylvania. Rogers would later create and host Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, a groundbreaking children's television program that addressed complex emotional and social topics with unprecedented sensitivity and respect for young viewers.
In 1916, Albert Einstein published his General Theory of Relativity in a German scientific journal. This revolutionary work, which Einstein developed over nearly a decade, fundamentally transformed humanity's understanding of space, time, gravity, and the structure of the universe itself. Einstein's equations revealed that space and time form a unified continuum capable of warping under gravitational influence—a concept that departed radically from Newtonian physics.
The entertainment industry also celebrates notable March 20 births. Carl Reiner, born in 1922 in The Bronx, accumulated twelve Emmy Awards throughout his seven-decade career in show business. As creator and writer of The Dick Van Dyke Show and performer in the comedy routine 2000 Year Old Man, Reiner left an indelible mark on American comedy. He received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2000 and remained professionally active until his death in June 2020.
Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt was born on this date in 1950. Following Juilliard training, Hurt earned critical acclaim for performances in films including Kiss of the Spider Woman, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and received additional Oscar nominations for Children of a Lesser God and Broadcast News.
Architectural and Cultural Landmarks
In 1819, the Burlington Arcade opened in Piccadilly, London. Commissioned by George Cavendish, this covered shopping arcade represented one of Europe's earliest examples of the shopping gallery concept that would evolve into the modern shopping mall. The arcade was constructed on the former side garden of Burlington manor house, reportedly to prevent passersby from discarding oyster shells and refuse over the property wall.
The Burlington Arcade maintains its historical character through unique security personnel called beadles, who wear traditional uniforms featuring top hats and frock coats. The original beadles were former members of Lord George Cavendish's military regiment, the 10th Royal Hussars. The arcade continues to enforce Regency-era behavioral standards, prohibiting singing, humming, hurrying, and boisterous conduct.
Additional notable March 20 events include Tunisia's independence from France in 1956, John Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono in Gibraltar in 1969, and Libby Riddles becoming the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1985. In 2016, President Barack Obama became the first United States president to visit Cuba since 1928, marking a significant diplomatic milestone between the two nations.