Royal Albert Hall opens in 1871 in London

 

On 29 March 1871, Queen Victoria officially opened the concert hall in London which was named after her late husband Prince Albert. The hall had been initially planned by Albert after the success of the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace in 1851. The building was designed by Captain Francis Fowke and Major-General Henry Scott and built by the Lucas Brothers. Work began on the Royal Albert Hall in 1867, six years after Albert’s death and was completed in 1871.

At the official opening on 29 March 1871, the Queen was s overcome with emotion at the thought of her beloved late husband, she was unable to speak. It was Edward, Prince of Wales who had to announce: “The Queen declares this Hall is now open”. The Royal Albert Hall remains a London landmark and a popular concert venue.

Ice Jam on the Niagara

 

An enormous ice jam formed at the source of the Niagara River on the eastern shore of Lake Erie on March 29, 1848. Just after midnight, the thunderous sound of water surging over the great falls at Niagara came to a halt as the flow of water became severely restricted due to the ice jam. The eerie silence persisted throughout the day and into the next evening until the waters of Lake Erie broke through the blockage and resumed their course down the river and over the falls.

World Piano Day 2025

 

World Piano Day is celebrated annually on the 88th day of the year (March 29th in 2025) and is a global celebration of the piano. In 2025, it is the 10th anniversary of World Piano Day, which holds symbolic significance, representing the 88 keys found on a standard piano. This special day serves as a tribute to the piano's rich history and its enduring impact on music across cultures and genres.

The primary goal of World Piano Day is to promote music and foster a deeper appreciation for the piano. It encourages individuals of all ages and skill levels to engage with the instrument, whether through playing, listening, or attending piano-related events. The day also aims to inspire creativity and collaboration among musicians, composers, and piano enthusiasts worldwide.

What is the History of World Piano Day?

World Piano Day, started by Nils Frahm back in 2015, is all about giving the piano some love. It's a day to appreciate everyone involved—players, songwriters, the folks who build pianos, and of course, the listeners. Frahm just thought the piano needed its own special day, and it really took off. Now, musicians and music fans from all over come together to celebrate this awesome instrument.

Pianos evolved from early string instruments like the hammered dulcimer. Innovations in the 1600s led to the clavichord and harpsichord. From 1790 to 1860, the piano as we know it really took shape, getting louder, richer sound, and a wider range. These improvements were done by the composer's pianist, who is more expressive toward the piano instruments.

1700s: The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy

1821: Sébastien Érard, who developed the double escapement action, allowing for rapid note repetition

2015: In 2025, on World Piano Day, the Klavins M450, a vertical grand piano, was announced

2018: Christian Henson, who launched pianobook.co.uk, a free platform for sharing instrument samples.

World Piano Day: Significance

“Why does the world need a Piano Day? For many reasons. But mostly, because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers, and most important, the listener.” - Nils Frahm

World Piano Day honours the piano and all that is associated with it. The day celebrated the history of music and encouraged its development. Also, it is a chance to recognize the contributions that composers have made to the field of music as well as the producers of the instrument, who have played a role in the instrument's development.