Major Events of March 1912: 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 1912 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1912: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1912 First Parachute Jump from an Airplane: U.S. Army Captain Albert Berry made aviation history by performing the first documented parachute jump from an airplane. He leaped from a Benoist plane piloted by Tony Jannus over Jefferson Barracks Army Base in St. Louis, demonstrating a groundbreaking moment in aviation safety and technology.
02 Mar 1912 Suffragettes Arrested in London Protest: Emmeline Pankhurst led 148 suffragettes in a dramatic protest in London, deliberately breaking windows to draw public attention to their campaign for women's voting rights. This act of civil disobedience was part of the increasingly militant tactics employed by the Women's Social and Political Union to demand political representation.
03 Mar 1912 The Star-Spangled Banner Becomes US National Anthem: On March 3, 1912, the United States officially adopted 'The Star-Spangled Banner' as its national anthem. The song, originally a poem written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812, commemorates the American flag's resilience during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The poem was later set to the tune of a popular British drinking song and gradually gained popularity as a patriotic hymn. It would take until 1931 for Congress to formally designate it as the national anthem, making this early recognition a significant moment in American cultural history.
04 Mar 1912 Brooklyn Dodgers Stadium Groundbreaking and Duncan's Incorporation: A pivotal day in sports and municipal history: Charles Ebbets broke ground on a new baseball stadium for the Brooklyn Dodgers, which would become an iconic venue in baseball history. Simultaneously, the city of Duncan in British Columbia, Canada, was officially incorporated, marking its establishment as a municipal entity.
05 Mar 1912 Amundsen Announces South Pole Expedition Success: Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen arrived in Hobart, Tasmania, and officially announced his groundbreaking achievement of reaching the South Pole in December 1911. This historic expedition marked a pivotal moment in polar exploration, cementing Amundsen's place in the annals of geographical discovery.
06 Mar 1912 First Aerial Bombing in Military History: During the Italo-Turkish War, Italian forces made aviation history by becoming the first military to use airships for combat operations. Two dirigibles dropped bombs on Turkish troops encamped at Janzur, Libya, from an impressive altitude of 1,800 meters, marking a significant technological milestone in warfare.
07 Mar 1912 Bulgaria and Serbia Sign Mutual Defense Pact: Bulgaria and Serbia formalized a critical mutual defense agreement, committing to military support if either nation were attacked by Austria-Hungary or the Ottoman Empire. This treaty was a significant diplomatic maneuver in the complex geopolitical landscape leading up to World War I, demonstrating the intricate alliance system of the Balkan region.
08 Mar 1912 German Naval Expansion Bill Approved: The Reichstag approved a significant naval expansion bill aimed at making the Imperial German Navy the world's most powerful by 1920. The legislation authorized the construction of 60 large battleships and 40 cruisers, a move that dramatically escalated naval tensions in pre-World War I Europe. One historian critically noted that this law effectively destroyed any remaining diplomatic goodwill between Britain and Germany, signaling a critical moment in the lead-up to World War I.
09 Mar 1912 First Successful Flight of Avro 500 Aircraft: Pilot Wilfred Parke completed the first successful flight of the Avro 500 aircraft, a critical milestone in aviation technology that would serve as the predecessor to the Avro 504, which would later be extensively used by the Royal Flying Corps during World War I.
10 Mar 1912 Yuan Shikai Becomes Provisional President of Republic of China: Yuan Shikai was sworn in as the second Provisional President of the Republic of China, marking a significant moment in the early political transition of the newly established republic. This event represented a critical phase in China's transformation from imperial rule to a republican system of governance.
11 Mar 1912 Stanley Cup Game Period Length Change: The first Stanley Cup game was played with a new format of three 20-minute periods, replacing the previous 30-minute halves. In this historic match, Quebec decisively defeated Moncton 9-3, ultimately sweeping the series and marking a significant change in hockey game structure.
12 Mar 1912 First Airplane Parachute Jump: Captain Albert Berry makes history by performing the first successful parachute jump from an airplane, marking a significant milestone in aviation and aerial safety technology.
13 Mar 1912 Bulgaria and Serbia Form Strategic Alliance: Bulgaria and Serbia signed a significant bilateral alliance pact, which was ostensibly directed against Austria but contained secret provisions potentially targeting the Ottoman Empire. This diplomatic agreement was part of the complex geopolitical maneuvering in the Balkan region preceding World War I.
14 Mar 1912 Theodore Roosevelt Enters Presidential Race: Theodore Roosevelt dramatically announced his candidacy for President, challenging incumbent President Taft for the Republican nomination. This marked a significant moment of political division within the Republican Party.
15 Mar 1912 Antitrust Action Against Railroad Merger: The United States Justice Department initiates legal proceedings to prevent the merger of Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, signaling a strong stance against potential monopolistic practices in the transportation industry. This action reflects the growing federal government's commitment to maintaining fair competition and preventing excessive corporate consolidation.
16 Mar 1912 Lawrence Oates' Heroic Sacrifice in Antarctic Expedition: During Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole, Lawrence Oates, weakened and slowing down the team's progress, made the ultimate sacrifice by walking out of the tent into the harsh Antarctic wilderness, famously saying, "I am just going outside and may be some time." His selfless act was intended to improve his companions' chances of survival.
17 Mar 1912 Alice Paul Leads Suffrage Delegation: Prominent women's rights activist Alice Paul led a significant suffrage delegation to meet with President Woodrow Wilson, advocating for women's right to vote and marking a crucial moment in the American women's suffrage movement.
18 Mar 1912 No Significant Historical Record: After thorough review, no notable historical events were found to be definitively associated with March 18, 1912. This could indicate a relatively quiet day in global history or gaps in available historical documentation.
19 Mar 1912 First Military Aerial Bombing in History: During the Italo-Turkish War, Italian military forces made aviation history by deploying airships to conduct the first aerial bombing mission. Two dirigible airships successfully dropped bombs on Turkish troops positioned at Janzur, Libya, from an impressive altitude of 6,000 feet, marking a significant milestone in military aviation and warfare technology.
20 Mar 1912 Tragic Sinking of SS Koombana in Cyclone off Western Australia: On March 20, 1912, the SS Koombana, a passenger steamer operating in Western Australian waters, was caught in a devastating cyclone and ultimately sank, resulting in the tragic loss of all 150 souls on board. The ship, which was traveling between Port Hedland and Broome, was overwhelmed by extreme weather conditions, highlighting the perilous nature of maritime travel in the early 20th century. This maritime disaster underscored the significant risks faced by seafarers in remote and unpredictable oceanic regions during that era.
21 Mar 1912 Henry Morton Stanley's African Expedition: Renowned British-American journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley embarked on a significant expedition to Africa, continuing his legendary career of geographical exploration and documentation. Stanley was famous for his earlier expeditions, including his historic search for Dr. David Livingstone in 1871. This particular expedition aimed to map uncharted territories, study indigenous cultures, and contribute to the geographical knowledge of the African continent during the late 19th and early 20th-century era of European exploration.
22 Mar 1912 Deadly Cyclone in Western Australia: A catastrophic cyclone struck the coastal regions of Western Australia, specifically impacting the towns of Balla Balla and Port Hedland. The natural disaster resulted in a tragic loss of over 150 human lives, making it one of the most devastating weather events in the region's early 20th-century history.
23 Mar 1912 USS Maine Remains Recovery: On March 23, 1912, the remains of 67 officers and men from the USS Maine were officially identified. The USS Maine's sinking in Havana Harbor in 1898 was a pivotal event that precipitated the Spanish-American War, and this recovery represented a significant moment of closure for the families of those lost.
24 Mar 1912 Beijing Riots and Martial Law During Fall of Manchu Dynasty: In a tumultuous period of Chinese history, widespread rioting erupted in Beijing following the collapse of the centuries-old Manchu (Qing) dynasty. The political instability led city authorities to declare martial law to maintain order. Recognizing the potential danger to foreign nationals, international troops were quickly deployed the subsequent day to protect their respective citizens during this volatile transition of power.
25 Mar 1912 Birth of Jean Vilar: Jean Vilar, a prominent French stage actor, director, and theatrical innovator, was born on March 25, 1912, in Sète, France. He would go on to become a pivotal figure in 20th-century French theater, known for his commitment to making theater accessible to broader audiences and for his influential work at the Avignon Festival.
26 Mar 1912 Uneventful Day in 1912: While no major historical events were documented for March 26, 1912, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Daily life continued across the world, with people engaging in their usual activities during the early 20th century. This period was characterized by significant global transitions, including technological advancements, colonial expansions, and social transformations.
27 Mar 1912 National Cherry Blossom Festival Origin: First Lady Helen Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, plant two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., symbolizing the diplomatic friendship between the United States and Japan. This ceremonial planting marks the beginning of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, a tradition that would become a significant cultural exchange and celebration.
28 Mar 1912 Oxford and Cambridge Boats Sink in Dramatic Boat Race: In a highly unusual incident during the annual Varsity Boat Race, both the Oxford and Cambridge boats sank on the River Thames. This unprecedented event occurred on March 28, 1912, creating a shocking moment in the prestigious rowing competition's history. The sinking of both boats likely resulted from challenging river conditions, potentially rough waters, or navigational errors, though specific details of the incident remain limited.
29 Mar 1912 Tragic End of Scott's Antarctic Expedition: The remaining members of Robert Falcon Scott's South Pole expedition perish in the harsh Antarctic wilderness, marking one of the most tragic exploration missions in history. Scott and his team succumbed to extreme cold, starvation, and exhaustion after failing to be the first to reach the South Pole.
30 Mar 1912 Treaty of Fez Establishes French Protectorate in Morocco: Sultan Abd al-Hafid signed the Treaty of Fez, formally establishing Morocco as a French protectorate. This significant diplomatic event marked the end of Morocco's independence and the expansion of French colonial influence in North Africa.
31 Mar 1912 Death of Robert Love Taylor, Tennessee Political Leader: Robert Love Taylor, a prominent American politician from Tennessee, passed away on March 31, 1912. Known for his significant political career, Taylor served in multiple high-profile roles including congressman, state senator, and Governor of Tennessee. His death marked the end of an era for Tennessee state politics during the early 20th century.