Major Events of March 1911: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from March 1911 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1911: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1911 Death of Jacobus H. van 't Hoff, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry: Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, a pioneering Dutch chemist and physicist who was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1901, passed away at the age of 58. Van 't Hoff was renowned for his groundbreaking work in chemical kinetics, stereochemistry, and physical chemistry, which fundamentally transformed our understanding of chemical reactions and molecular structures.
02 Mar 1911 British Veto Bill Second Reading Passes: In a significant legislative moment, the British House of Commons voted 368 to 243 to pass the second reading of the 'Veto Bill', which would grant the Commons the power to override actions taken by the House of Lords. This vote represented a crucial step in reforming the British parliamentary system and reducing the traditional power of the aristocratic upper chamber.
03 Mar 1911 First Congressional Funding for US Military Aviation: The U.S. Congress allocated $125,000 to the Army Signal Corps for purchasing airplanes, representing a pivotal moment in the early development of U.S. military aviation capabilities.
04 Mar 1911 First Socialist Congressman Elected in the United States: Victor Berger from Wisconsin made history by becoming the first socialist congressman elected to the United States Congress, marking a significant moment in American political representation and the growing influence of socialist ideologies in early 20th-century American politics.
05 Mar 1911 Deadly Movie Theater Stampede in Bologoye, Russia: On March 5, 1911, a tragic stampede occurred in a movie theater in Bologoye, a small city in Russia, resulting in the deaths of 120 people, with the majority being children. The incident began during a film screening when panic suddenly erupted, causing a fatal crush as people desperately tried to escape. The exact trigger for the stampede remains unclear, but such incidents were not uncommon in early 20th-century public venues with limited safety measures.
06 Mar 1911 Samuel J. Battle Breaks Racial Barrier in NYPD: Samuel J. Battle, a former train porter, made history by becoming the first African-American police officer in the New York Police Department. His achievement came after successfully passing the NYPD's rigorous civil service examination, marking a significant milestone in breaking racial barriers in law enforcement during the early 20th century.
07 Mar 1911 Mexican Revolution Escalates: The Mexican Revolution, a significant political and social upheaval, continues to intensify, marking a critical period of transformation in Mexico's political landscape. The revolution sought to end the decades-long dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz and address deep-rooted social inequalities.
08 Mar 1911 International Women's Day Launched in Copenhagen: International Women's Day was officially launched in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Clara Zetkin, a prominent leader of the Women's Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a global movement advocating for women's rights, equality, and social justice.
09 Mar 1911 Uneventful Day in 1911: While no specific major historical events were documented for March 9, 1911, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many days in history pass without dramatic global events, yet local and personal histories continue to unfold.
10 Mar 1911 First Blue Sky Law in the United States: On March 10, 1911, Kansas made legislative history by enacting House Bill Number 906, the first 'blue sky law' in the United States. This pioneering legislation was designed to protect investors by subjecting securities and investment offerings to state regulatory oversight, marking a significant moment in financial consumer protection and securities regulation.
11 Mar 1911 Discovery of Polio's Causative Agent: Dr. Simon Flexner, a prominent medical researcher at the Rockefeller Institute, made a groundbreaking announcement regarding the identification of the causative agent of infantile paralysis (poliomyelitis). This discovery was a critical milestone in understanding the disease that had been causing widespread fear and devastating health consequences, particularly among children. Flexner's research provided crucial insights into the viral nature of polio, which would later pave the way for vaccine development and eventual global eradication efforts.
12 Mar 1911 Birth of Gustavo Díaz Ordaz: Gustavo Díaz Ordaz was born in San Andres, Puebla. He would later become the 29th President of Mexico, serving from 1964 to 1970, a period marked by significant political and social challenges.
13 Mar 1911 U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Corporate Income Tax: In a landmark legal decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the federal tax on corporate income as constitutional, establishing a significant precedent for future taxation policies and government revenue collection.
14 Mar 1911 Progressive Era Political Reform in California: California Governor Hiram Johnson signed into law a groundbreaking bill that established direct democracy mechanisms, including referendums, initiatives, and recall elections. This legislation was a key part of the Progressive Era reforms aimed at giving citizens more direct control over political processes and reducing the influence of special interests.
15 Mar 1911 U.S. Army Selects Colt .45 Pistol in Rigorous Firearms Trial: On March 15, 1911, a pivotal moment in U.S. military firearms history occurred at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. The U.S. Army conducted a comprehensive 6,000-round endurance test to determine the standard-issue sidearm for its soldiers. Competing manufacturers Savage Arms Company and Colt's Manufacturing Company submitted their respective pistol models for evaluation. The Colt Special Army Model 1910 demonstrated superior reliability, experiencing fewer malfunctions compared to the Savage Model H. As a result, the Colt pistol was officially accepted as the Army's standard sidearm, a decision that would significantly impact military equipment and personal defense strategies for decades to come.
16 Mar 1911 Las Vegas City Incorporation: Las Vegas, Nevada was officially incorporated as a city, marking a significant milestone in its urban development. With an initial population of over 800 residents, the city was established in the arid Nevada desert, setting the stage for its future growth and transformation into a major metropolitan area.
17 Mar 1911 First Woman in Norwegian Parliament: Anna Rogstad made history by becoming the first woman to serve in the Storting, Norway's national parliament, marking a significant milestone for women's political representation in early 20th century Scandinavia.
18 Mar 1911 Irving Berlin's First Hit Song Published: Irving Berlin's groundbreaking song 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' was published, marking a significant milestone in the young composer's career. This composition would become a pivotal moment in American popular music, launching Berlin's trajectory as one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century.
19 Mar 1911 First International Women's Day Celebration: On March 19, 1911, the first International Women's Day was celebrated across multiple European countries, marking a significant milestone in the global women's rights movement. This historic event represented a pivotal moment for women's suffrage, labor rights, and gender equality, with thousands of women participating in demonstrations and rallies to demand political and social rights.
20 Mar 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City was a devastating industrial disaster where 146 garment workers, mostly young immigrant women, died due to locked exit doors and inadequate fire safety measures. This tragic event became a pivotal moment in labor rights and workplace safety reform in the United States.
21 Mar 1911 300th Anniversary of King James Bible: On March 21, 1911, the 300th anniversary of the introduction of the King James Version of the Bible was commemorated. This landmark English translation, commissioned by King James I of England in 1611, became one of the most influential and widely read biblical texts in the English-speaking world. The translation, completed by 47 scholars, was renowned for its poetic language and significant impact on literature and religious practice.
22 Mar 1911 Launch of SMS Kaiser Battleship: Germany launched the SMS Kaiser, a groundbreaking turbine-powered battleship that represented a significant technological advancement in naval engineering. This vessel was part of the German Imperial Navy's modernization efforts, showcasing the country's growing maritime capabilities and naval technological prowess in the early 20th century.
23 Mar 1911 SS Yongala Maritime Disaster: The SS Yongala, a passenger and freight steamship, tragically sank during a catastrophic cyclone off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Departing from Mackay at 1:30 pm on March 23, 1911, the vessel was overwhelmed by severe storm conditions, resulting in the loss of all 122 passengers and crew members. This maritime tragedy remains one of Australia's most significant shipwrecks, with the vessel's wreckage not discovered until 1958, making it a poignant reminder of the maritime perils of early 20th-century sea travel.
24 Mar 1911 First Mass Flight with Over 10 Passengers: In a groundbreaking aviation milestone, Roger Sommer successfully conducted the first mass flight in history, carrying 13 passengers alongside himself in an airplane. This event marked a significant leap forward in early aviation technology, demonstrating the potential for passenger air travel and challenging contemporary perceptions about the feasibility of human flight.
25 Mar 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: A devastating fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in New York City resulted in the tragic deaths of 146 workers, predominantly young immigrant women. The fire exposed severe workplace safety failures, with locked exit doors and inadequate fire escape routes. Many workers were forced to jump from upper floors to their deaths, as firefighters' ladders could not reach them. This catastrophic event became a pivotal moment in labor rights history, sparking significant reforms in workplace safety regulations and labor protections.
26 Mar 1911 Establishment of United States Postal Savings System: The United States government launched the Postal Savings System by establishing the first 19 banks across major cities. This innovative financial initiative was designed to provide a safe and accessible savings option for Americans, particularly those who were unbanked or distrustful of traditional banking institutions. The system aimed to encourage savings among working-class and immigrant populations by leveraging the trusted postal network.
27 Mar 1911 Incorporation of Fort Lauderdale, Florida: The small village of Fort Lauderdale, with just 143 inhabitants at the time, officially incorporated as a city through a voter referendum. This marked a pivotal moment in the urban development of South Florida, setting the stage for what would become a major metropolitan area and popular tourist destination.
28 Mar 1911 Marie Curie Receives Second Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Marie Sklodowska Curie was awarded her second Nobel Prize on March 28, 1911, becoming the first person and the only woman to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. Her groundbreaking work in radioactivity and the discovery of the elements polonium and radium revolutionized scientific understanding of atomic structure and radiation. This remarkable achievement highlighted her extraordinary contributions to science during an era when women were significantly underrepresented in scientific research.
29 Mar 1911 M1911 Handgun Adopted by US Army: The M1911 semi-automatic pistol, designed by legendary firearms engineer John Browning, was officially adopted as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Army. This robust and reliable .45 caliber handgun would go on to become one of the most iconic military firearms in history, serving extensively during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Its design was revolutionary for its time, offering improved reliability, accuracy, and stopping power compared to previous military handguns.
30 Mar 1911 Swiss Civil Code Amendment: The Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation passed a landmark Federal Act amending the Swiss Civil Code, with specific focus on refining the Code of Obligations. This legislative update represented an important development in Swiss legal framework, modernizing commercial and contractual regulations.
31 Mar 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: A devastating industrial fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City resulted in the tragic deaths of 146 garment workers, predominantly young immigrant women. The catastrophic event exposed severe workplace safety deficiencies and became a pivotal moment in labor rights history, ultimately catalyzing significant reforms in industrial safety standards and workers' protections.