1. On March 31, 1915, the town of Natchez experienced a devastating fire that destroyed many historic buildings. The fire is believed to have started in a mattress factory and quickly spread due to high winds.

2. In 1966, civil rights activist James Meredith began his March Against Fear in Memphis, Tennessee, on this day. The march aimed to encourage African Americans to register to vote and challenge segregation in the South. Meredith was shot while marching through Mississippi, but the march continued with the help of other civil rights leaders.

3. On March 31, 1972, blues musician Willie Dixon performed in Jackson, Mississippi. Dixon was a prolific songwriter and producer, and he played a key role in shaping the Chicago blues scene in the 1950s and 60s.

4. In 2000, the Mississippi Legislature passed the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) on March 31. The program aimed to provide equitable funding for public schools statewide, and it has since been a key issue in Mississippi education policy.

5. On March 31, 2019, Mississippi State University's women's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the third time in school history. The Bulldogs defeated the University of Oregon in the Elite Eight to secure their place in the Final Four.