Major Events of March 1913: 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 1913 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 1913: Key Historical Moments from the Month


  • 01 Mar 1913 US Federal Income Tax Amendment Takes Effect: The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution officially went into effect, establishing the federal government's legal authority to collect income taxes directly from citizens, marking a significant transformation in the nation's fiscal policy.
  • 02 Mar 1913 Uneventful Day in History: On March 2, 1913, no significant historical events were documented. While this might appear unremarkable, such days are a reminder that not every moment in history is marked by dramatic occurrences. Daily life continued its steady pace across the world, with people going about their usual routines.
  • 03 Mar 1913 The Great Suffrage Parade of 1913: Thousands of suffragists, led by Grand Marshal Jane Burleson and lawyer Inez Milholland, marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., in a historic demonstration supporting women's right to vote. This landmark event was a pivotal moment in the women's suffrage movement, drawing unprecedented national attention and highlighting the growing demand for women's political equality.
  • 04 Mar 1913 Woodrow Wilson Becomes 28th US President: Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated as the 28th President of the United States, marking a significant transition in American political leadership. His inauguration signaled the beginning of the Progressive Era and set the stage for major domestic and international reforms.
  • 05 Mar 1913 Establishment of First US Air Military Unit: The United States Army established the 1st Aero Squadron, which would later evolve into the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron of the United States Air Force, marking a pivotal moment in military aviation history.
  • 06 Mar 1913 Romanov Dynasty Tercentenary Celebration: The Russian Empire commemorated the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty's rule, marking three centuries since Michael Romanov was elected Tsar in 1613. Elaborate celebrations were held across the empire, highlighting the historical significance of the Romanov family's reign, which would ultimately end with the Russian Revolution just four years later.
  • 07 Mar 1913 Devastating Dynamite Explosion in Baltimore Harbor: On March 7, 1913, the British freighter Alum Chine experienced a catastrophic explosion while docked in Baltimore harbor. The vessel was carrying an enormous cargo of 343 tons of dynamite, which detonated with potentially massive destructive consequences for the surrounding port area. The incident likely caused significant damage to maritime infrastructure and posed serious risks to nearby personnel and vessels.
  • 08 Mar 1913 International Women's Day Global Observance: International Women's Day was commemorated across multiple European countries, with significant rallies and demonstrations advocating for women's fundamental rights, including workplace equality, voting rights, professional training, public office participation, and ending systemic discrimination.
  • 09 Mar 1913 Establishment of the 1st Aero Squadron: On March 9, 1913, the United States Army officially established its first dedicated air military unit, the 1st Aero Squadron. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of military aviation in the United States, signaling a transformative era in national defense strategy. The squadron was initially equipped with fragile, primitive aircraft that would soon evolve into sophisticated military aerospace technology.
  • 10 Mar 1913 Death of Harriet Tubman, Legendary Abolitionist: Harriet Tubman, a remarkable African American abolitionist, social activist, Civil War scout and spy, passed away at approximately 90-91 years old. Known for her extraordinary courage, Tubman was a former slave who became a pivotal conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping to rescue numerous enslaved African Americans and guiding them to freedom.
  • 11 Mar 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no significant historical events are recorded for March 11, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of importance occurred. Many historical moments go undocumented, especially for less prominent locations or during periods with limited record-keeping.
  • 12 Mar 1913 Canberra Named as Australia's Future Capital: On March 12, 1913, Canberra was officially named as the future capital of Australia. The naming ceremony marked the beginning of construction for the new national capital, with Melbourne serving as the temporary capital until 1927. This event was a significant milestone in Australia's nation-building process, symbolizing the country's transition from a collection of separate colonies to a unified Commonwealth.
  • 13 Mar 1913 Pancho Villa Returns to Mexico: Mexican Revolutionary leader Pancho Villa dramatically returns to Mexico from his self-imposed exile in the United States, marking a significant moment in the ongoing Mexican Revolution. His return signals potential renewed conflict and political instability in the region.
  • 14 Mar 1913 Discriminatory Marriage Ruling in South Africa: The South African Supreme Court issued a controversial ruling declaring marriages not celebrated according to Christian rites or not officially registered by the Registrar of Marriages as invalid. This decision effectively invalidated all Muslim and Hindu marriages, reflecting the systemic religious and racial discrimination prevalent during the early 20th century.
  • 15 Mar 1913 First Presidential Press Conference: President Woodrow Wilson inaugurated the tradition of regular presidential press conferences, fundamentally transforming media access and transparency in American government.
  • 16 Mar 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no significant historical events were documented for March 16, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of importance occurred. Historical records can be incomplete, and smaller local events or personal milestones might have transpired without widespread documentation.
  • 17 Mar 1913 Establishment of the Uruguayan Air Force: On March 17, 1913, Uruguay officially established its national air force, marking a significant milestone in the country's military aviation history. This event represented Uruguay's commitment to developing a modern military infrastructure and national defense capabilities during the early 20th century. The founding of the air force came at a time of global technological advancement in aviation, with many nations recognizing the strategic importance of aerial military capabilities.
  • 18 Mar 1913 Assassination of King George I of Greece: King George I of Greece, who had ruled since 1861, was assassinated at the age of 67 by Schinas in Thessaloniki. This tragic event marked the end of a long and significant reign in Greek royal history.
  • 19 Mar 1913 William Chatterton: English Cricket Player: William Chatterton was a notable English cricket player who represented England in a single Test match in 1892, scoring 48 runs. Despite his limited international appearance, he was part of the early era of professional cricket in England.
  • 20 Mar 1913 Carranza Launches Rebellion in Mexican Revolution: Venustiano Carranza, a key revolutionary leader, announced the Plan of Guadalupe and initiated a rebellion against Victoriano Huerta's government. Leading the 'Constitutionalists', Carranza's actions would prove pivotal in the ongoing Mexican Revolution, challenging the existing political regime.
  • 21 Mar 1913 Great Dayton Flood of 1913: A catastrophic flood struck Ohio, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. The disaster resulted in approximately 400 deaths and massive infrastructure damage across the region.
  • 22 Mar 1913 Phan Xích Long's Arrest in French Indochina: Mystic Phan Xích Long, a self-proclaimed Emperor of Vietnam, was arrested by French colonial authorities for organizing a revolt against French colonial rule in Indochina. Despite his arrest, his supporters continued the rebellion the following day, demonstrating the growing resistance against colonial oppression.
  • 23 Mar 1913 Massive Tornado and Flood Disaster: A catastrophic natural disaster struck the central United States, combining a severe tornado outbreak and extensive flooding in the Ohio River watershed. The combined events resulted in over 890 fatalities, with tornadoes killing more than 240 people and ongoing floods claiming an additional 650 lives. This multi-faceted disaster represented one of the deadliest weather events in early 20th-century American history.
  • 24 Mar 1913 Tallinn Power Plant Inaugurated: A new power plant began operations in Tallinn, Estonia, initially using coal for electricity generation. By 1924, the plant was modified to use oil, representing an early example of energy infrastructure development in the Baltic region.
  • 25 Mar 1913 Bulgaria Captures Adrianople: Bulgarian forces captured the strategic city of Adrianople (modern-day Edirne), effectively ending the First Balkan War and significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of the Balkan Peninsula.
  • 26 Mar 1913 Bulgarian Forces Capture Adrianople: During the First Balkan War, Bulgarian forces successfully captured Adrianople (modern-day Edirne), a strategically important city, marking a significant turning point in the conflict with the Ottoman Empire.
  • 28 Mar 1913 Guatemala Signs Buenos Aires Copyright Treaty: On March 28, 1913, Guatemala officially became a signatory to the Buenos Aires Copyright Treaty, a significant international agreement aimed at protecting intellectual property rights across participating Latin American nations. This treaty represented an important step in standardizing copyright protections and establishing mutual legal frameworks for creative works in the region.
  • 29 Mar 1913 German Reichstag Increases Taxes for Military Spending: The German Reichstag officially announced a tax increase to finance the expanding military budget, reflecting the growing militaristic tensions in pre-World War I Europe and the ongoing arms race between European powers.
  • 30 Mar 1913 Richard Helms Born: Richard Helms was born, who would later become a prominent director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1966 to 1973. He was a key intelligence figure during the Cold War era, known for his significant role in shaping American intelligence operations and strategies.
  • 31 Mar 1913 The Skandalkonzert in Vienna: On March 31, 1913, the Vienna Concert Society experienced a significant cultural disruption during a groundbreaking modernist music performance. Composers Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Alexander von Zemlinsky, and Anton von Webern were presenting their avant-garde musical works when audience members became so agitated by the unconventional compositions that they erupted into a violent riot. The intense audience reaction was so severe that it forced the concert to end prematurely, marking a pivotal moment in early 20th-century musical history and highlighting the radical departure from traditional musical aesthetics.