24 March, 1882: German scientist Robert Koch – the father of modern bacteriology – discovers the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.

25 March, 1975: King Faisal of Saudi Arabia is assassinated by his nephew.

26 March, 2000: Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia.

27 March, 1994: Silvio Berlusconi rises to power in Italy.

28 March, 1986: American singer-songwriter, producer and actress Lady Gaga is born.

29 March, 2004: Ireland becomes the first country to ban smoking in all workplaces.

30 March, 2002: Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon aka The Queen Mother dies.