On March 19

Flydubai Flight 981 crashed during an aborted landing at Rostov-on-Don Airport, Russia, resulting in the deaths of all 62 passengers and crew on board.

First Libyan Civil War: The French Air Force launched Opération Harmattan, beginning foreign military intervention in Libya.

The gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B was observed, setting a record for the farthest event from Earth observable with the naked eye.

The gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B, the farthest object from Earth that was observable by the naked eye, was observed.

American televangelist Jim Bakker resigned as the host of The PTL Club in the midst of a sex scandal.

The American cable television network C-SPAN, covering government proceedings and public-affairs programming, was launched.

Between 300,000 and 500,000 Brazilians attended the March of the Family with God for Liberty (pictured), in protest against the government of João Goulart and against communism.

Influential American musician Bob Dylan released his eponymous debut album, mainly comprising traditional folk, blues and gospel songs.

The secular oratorio A Child of Our Time by Michael Tippett premiered at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

The highly influential American radio comedy show Amos 'n' Andy made its debut.

Established by Clara Zetkin, Käte Duncker, and others, International Women's Day was first observed.

American Civil War: The last battle of the Carolinas Campaign, the Battle of Bentonville, began, which contributed to the ultimate Union victory in the war.

American explorer Benjamin Morrell departed Antarctica after a voyage later plagued by claims of fraud.

King Charles IV of Spain was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Ferdinand VII as a result of the Tumult of Aranjuez.

The Edict of Amboise was signed, ending the first war in the French Wars of Religion and inaugurating a period of official peace that lasted until 1567.

Mongol conquest of Song China: Zhao Bing (pictured), the last Song emperor, drowned at the end of the Battle of Yamen, bringing the Song dynasty to an end after three centuries.

The Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Venice signed a treaty that renegotiated and extended by two years a previous treaty between them.