Major Events of March 1919: 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 1919 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1919: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1919 March First Movement: Korean Independence Demonstrations: A significant series of demonstrations for Korean national independence from Japanese colonial rule began in Seoul. Approximately 2,000,000 Koreans participated in over 1,500 peaceful protests across the country. The Japanese response was brutal: around 7,000 Koreans were killed, 16,000 wounded, and 46,000 arrested, with about 10,000 ultimately tried and convicted. This movement became a pivotal moment in Korea's struggle against Japanese imperialism.
02 Mar 1919 Founding of the Communist International (Comintern): The Founding Congress of the Comintern opened in Moscow with over 50 representatives from two dozen countries. This historic assembly led to the establishment of the Communist International, a global organization aimed at promoting world communist revolution and coordinating communist parties internationally.
03 Mar 1919 Supreme Court Upholds Schenck Conviction: The United States Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Charles Schenck, a landmark decision related to free speech during wartime, which established important legal precedents about First Amendment rights.
04 Mar 1919 Founding of the Communist International (Comintern): The Communist International, also known as the Comintern or Third International, was established in Moscow on March 4, 1919. This revolutionary organization was founded by Vladimir Lenin and other prominent communist leaders to coordinate and support communist movements worldwide. The Comintern aimed to promote global communist revolution and serve as a centralized leadership for communist parties across different countries.
05 Mar 1919 A. Mitchell Palmer Appointed as U.S. Attorney General: A. Mitchell Palmer was appointed Attorney General of the United States through a recess appointment, marking a significant moment in the U.S. Department of Justice leadership during the post-World War I era. Palmer would become known for his aggressive actions against suspected radical and communist elements during the First Red Scare.
06 Mar 1919 Establishment of Reichswehr in Post-World War I Germany: Following World War I, Germany established the Reichswehr as its new armed forces, with President Friedrich Ebert serving as commander-in-chief. This marked a significant reorganization of Germany's military structure in the aftermath of the war and the fall of the German Empire.
07 Mar 1919 Birth of M. N. Nambiar, Pioneering Tamil Cinema Actor: M. N. Nambiar was born on March 7, 1919, in Tamil Nadu, India. He would go on to become a legendary actor in the Tamil film industry, known for his versatile acting skills and memorable character portrayals. Nambiar was particularly renowned for his powerful villain roles and significant contributions to the golden era of Tamil cinema during the mid-20th century.
08 Mar 1919 Rowlatt Act Implemented in British India: The Imperial Legislative Council in London passed the Rowlatt Act, which indefinitely extended emergency provisions originally established under the Defence of India Act. This controversial legislation significantly expanded British colonial powers to suppress Indian independence movements by allowing indefinite detention without trial.
09 Mar 1919 Egyptian Revolution of 1919: The Egyptian Revolution of 1919 was a significant nationalist uprising against British colonial rule in Egypt. Led by prominent Egyptian nationalists, the revolution sought to end British occupation and establish national independence. Widespread protests, civil disobedience, and political mobilization characterized this pivotal moment in Egypt's struggle for self-determination.
10 Mar 1919 Cossack Rebellion Against Bolsheviks in Vyoshenskaya: In a significant moment during the Russian Civil War, Cossacks in the Vyoshenskaya region of Russia launched a rebellion against Bolshevik forces. This uprising strategically supported the Russian White Army, enabling them to capture substantial territories along the Don River. The rebellion represented the complex internal conflicts that characterized the post-Russian Revolution period, highlighting the Cossacks' resistance to the new communist regime.
11 Mar 1919 Cossack Rebellion Against Bolsheviks: In the Vyoshenskaya region of Russia, Cossacks initiated a rebellion against the Bolshevik regime after the Red Army executed 300 Cossack soldiers who refused to surrender their weapons. This event highlighted the deep resistance to Bolshevik control among traditional Cossack communities.
12 Mar 1919 Austrian National Meeting Supports Anschluss: The Austrian National Meeting voted to affirm the Anschluss, expressing a desire to incorporate Austria into Germany, a politically significant moment that would later have profound implications for European geopolitics.
13 Mar 1919 The Axeman of New Orleans Sends Threatening Letter: On March 13, 1919, a chilling letter was distributed to newspapers in New Orleans, following a brutal attack on Charles Cortimiglia and his family. The letter, sent by the infamous serial killer known as the Axeman, added a psychological terror dimension to the already horrifying series of axe murders that had been terrorizing the city. This communication was part of a larger, mysterious crime spree that would become one of the most notorious unsolved criminal cases in early 20th-century American history.
14 Mar 1919 Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic Adopts National Emblem: The Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic officially adopted its national emblem, incorporating the iconic hammer and sickle design that symbolized Soviet communist ideology. This visual representation marked an important moment in Ukraine's political transformation following the Russian Revolution, signaling the republic's alignment with Soviet governance and communist principles.
15 Mar 1919 American Legion Founding: The American Legion was officially formed in Paris, France, as a veterans' organization aimed at supporting and representing military service members after World War I.
16 Mar 1919 White Army Captures Ufa During Russian Civil War: During the Russian Civil War, the Western Army of the White Movement successfully captured the strategically important city of Ufa from the Fifth Red Army, representing a significant military engagement in the ongoing conflict between the Bolsheviks and anti-communist forces.
17 Mar 1919 Birth of Nat King Cole: Nathaniel Adams Cole, better known as Nat 'King' Cole, was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He would become one of the most iconic jazz pianists and vocalists of the 20th century, known for legendary songs like 'Unforgettable' and 'Mona Lisa'. Cole was a pioneering African American artist who broke racial barriers in the entertainment industry.
18 Mar 1919 8th Congress of the Russian Communist Party: The 8th Congress of the Russian Communist Party convened in Moscow, with over 300 delegates representing more than 313,000 party members, marking a significant moment in the early years of the Soviet political landscape.
20 Mar 1919 Uneventful Day in 1919: While no specific major historical events were recorded on March 20, 1919, this period was part of the post-World War I era, characterized by significant global political and social transformations. The world was recovering from the devastating conflict, with the Paris Peace Conference ongoing and the Treaty of Versailles being negotiated, which would reshape international boundaries and geopolitical relationships.
21 Mar 1919 Establishment of the Hungarian Soviet Republic: On March 21, 1919, the Hungarian Soviet Republic was proclaimed, marking a significant moment in European political history. Led by Béla Kun, this became the first Communist government established in Europe following the Russian October Revolution. The republic represented a bold attempt to implement communist principles in the aftermath of World War I, challenging the existing political and social structures of the time.
22 Mar 1919 Uneventful Day in 1919: While no specific major historical events were documented for March 22, 1919, this period was part of the post-World War I era, characterized by significant global political and social transformations. The world was recovering from the devastating conflict, with the Paris Peace Conference still ongoing and the Treaty of Versailles being negotiated, which would reshape international boundaries and geopolitical relationships.
23 Mar 1919 Formation of Moscow's Politburo and Central Committee: The Bolshevik leadership establishes the Politburo and Central Committee in Moscow, a pivotal moment in consolidating communist political power in Russia after the 1917 Revolution.
24 Mar 1919 Last Habsburg Emperor Goes into Exile: Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria-Hungary, was forced to leave his country and go into exile in Switzerland. Despite leaving, he publicly maintained that he was still the rightful ruler, reflecting the tumultuous political transition following World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
25 Mar 1919 Tetiev Pogrom of 1919: On March 25, 1919, the Tetiev pogrom took place in Ukraine, representing a horrific early example of antisemitic violence that would later become a precursor to the systematic mass murders during the Holocaust. Local Ukrainian militia and nationalist groups attacked the Jewish population of Tetiev, resulting in widespread killing, property destruction, and traumatization of the Jewish community.
26 Mar 1919 Lusk Committee Investigates Subversive Activities: New York State Senator Clayton R. Lusk was appointed to chair an investigative committee focused on identifying and examining individuals and organizations suspected of engaging in potentially seditious or revolutionary activities during the post-World War I era. This committee, known as the Lusk Committee, was part of a broader national effort to suppress radical political movements and communist sympathizers in the United States.
28 Mar 1919 Missouri Women Gain Voting Rights in Electoral College: On March 28, 1919, women in Missouri were granted the right to vote in the United States Electoral College, marking a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement. This development was part of the broader national effort to expand voting rights and political representation for women in the early 20th century.
29 Mar 1919 1919 Stanley Cup Series Cancelled Due to Spanish Flu: The Stanley Cup championship series between Montreal (NHL) and Seattle (PCHA) was dramatically halted due to the devastating Spanish Flu epidemic. After two games were played with each team winning two games and one tie, the series was ultimately not awarded as players from both teams became severely ill, making it impossible to complete the competition.
30 Mar 1919 Gandhi Launches Resistance Against Rowlatt Act: Mahatma Gandhi formally announced a nationwide civil disobedience campaign against the controversial Rowlatt Act, which allowed the British colonial government to imprison Indians without trial. This marked a significant moment in India's struggle for independence, demonstrating Gandhi's commitment to non-violent resistance against oppressive colonial legislation.
31 Mar 1919 Foch's Warning about Versailles Treaty: French Marshal Ferdinand Foch expressed grave concerns to leaders of Great Britain and the United States, arguing that without securing the Rhine frontier, the Treaty of Versailles would merely postpone future conflict, predicting another war within two decades.