Major Events of March 1920: 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 1920 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1920 Greece Transitions from Julian to Gregorian Calendar: On March 4th, 1920, Greece officially concludes its use of the Julian civil calendar, marking a significant administrative and cultural shift towards standardizing timekeeping with the Gregorian calendar.
02 Mar 1920 Chinese Prime Minister Resigns Over Shantung Negotiations: China's Prime Minister Chin Yun-p'eng resigned after political tensions arose from his party's stance on negotiating with Japan regarding rights to the Shantung (Shandong) peninsula, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics of post-World War I China.
03 Mar 1920 President Wilson's First Public Appearance in 1920: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson emerged in public for the first time since his severe stroke, accompanied by First Lady Edith Wilson, his physician Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson, a chauffeur, and Secret Service agents. The presidential motorcade drove through Washington, D.C. for approximately one hour, marking a significant moment in Wilson's recovery.
04 Mar 1920 Ottoman Empire Dissolution Negotiations: In a pivotal diplomatic meeting in London, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and France convened to strategize and formalize plans for the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. This meeting was a critical moment in the post-World War I geopolitical restructuring of the Middle East.
05 Mar 1920 Leontine Kelly Becomes First Black Female Methodist Bishop: Leontine Kelly made history by becoming the first African American woman to be elected as a bishop in the Methodist Church, breaking significant racial and gender barriers in religious leadership during the early 20th century.
06 Mar 1920 Anti-Saloon League's Whiskey Proposal: During the Prohibition era, the Anti-Saloon League made a notable proposal to the federal government, suggesting the purchase of over 60 million gallons of already-distilled whiskey. This strategic recommendation aimed to prevent potential illegal distribution and consumption of alcohol, reflecting the complex challenges of enforcing the nationwide alcohol ban.
07 Mar 1920 Willie Watson: Multi-Sport Athlete: Willie Watson was a remarkable English sportsman who distinguished himself in both cricket and soccer during the early 20th century. As a cricket batsman for England and a soccer international player, he represented a rare breed of versatile athletes who excelled in multiple sports during an era of emerging professional athletics.
08 Mar 1920 Arab Kingdom of Syria Established: On March 8, 1920, the Arab Kingdom of Syria was proclaimed, marking the first modern Arab state to emerge in the post-Ottoman era. This significant moment represented an important step in Arab national self-determination following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
09 Mar 1920 1920 New Hampshire Presidential Primary: The New Hampshire primary was held, marking the official start of the 1920 U.S. presidential election campaign. Former U.S. Army Chief of Staff Leonard Wood emerged as the top vote recipient among registered Republicans, while Herbert Hoover was the most favored candidate among registered Democrats. This primary was significant in setting early momentum and testing candidate popularity during a pivotal period in American political history.
10 Mar 1920 West Virginia Ratifies Women's Suffrage Amendment: West Virginia made a pivotal democratic advancement by ratifying the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. The amendment passed by a narrow margin of 16 to 13, representing a significant milestone in the women's rights movement.
11 Mar 1920 Birth of Nobel Laureate Nicolaas Bloembergen: On March 11, 1920, Nicolaas Bloembergen was born, a distinguished Dutch physicist who would later make groundbreaking contributions to science and be awarded the Nobel Prize. Bloembergen's work significantly advanced our understanding of quantum mechanics and laser technology.
12 Mar 1920 Kapp Putsch Begins in Germany: The Marinebrigade Ehrhardt, a right-wing paramilitary unit, initiated a military coup attempt by marching on Berlin, challenging the newly established Weimar Republic. This attempted putsch represented a significant challenge to the democratic government in post-World War I Germany.
13 Mar 1920 Kapp Putsch: Failed Coup Attempt in Berlin: Wolfgang Kapp led a right-wing nationalist coup attempt against the Weimar Republic government in Berlin. The putsch was ultimately unsuccessful due to widespread public resistance and a general strike by workers, which effectively paralyzed the coup's momentum and prevented the overthrow of the democratic government.
14 Mar 1920 Schleswig Plebiscite of 1920: In the second of the 1920 Schleswig plebiscites, approximately 80% of the population in Zone II voted to remain part of Weimar Germany, demonstrating a strong regional preference for continued German governance following the aftermath of World War I.
15 Mar 1920 E. Donnall Thomas: Pioneer of Bone Marrow Transplantation: E. Donnall Thomas, an American physician, made groundbreaking contributions to medical science by developing bone marrow transplantation techniques. His revolutionary work would later earn him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, fundamentally transforming treatment for leukemia and other blood disorders.
16 Mar 1920 Percy Mansell: South African Cricket Player: Percy Mansell was a notable leg-spin all-rounder who represented South Africa in international cricket, playing 13 Test matches for the national team. As a versatile player capable of both bowling leg-spin and contributing with the bat, Mansell was an important figure in South African cricket during the early 20th century.
17 Mar 1920 Discovery of Meket-Re's Tomb in Egypt: Archaeologists uncovered the remarkably preserved tomb of Meket-Re, a high-ranking chief minister who served under Pharaoh Mentuhotep II during the Middle Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. The discovery, made on a Wednesday, provided significant insights into the administrative and cultural practices of the 11th Dynasty, approximately 3,900 years after Meket-Re's original burial. The tomb's preservation offered researchers a rare, detailed glimpse into the life and administrative roles of senior officials during this pivotal period of Egyptian history.
18 Mar 1920 Birth of Pope John Paul II: Karol Wojtyła, who would later become Pope John Paul II, was born in Poland. He served as the head of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005 and was one of the most influential and globally recognized popes in modern history, known for his significant role in international diplomacy and his impact on global Catholicism.
19 Mar 1920 US Senate Rejects Treaty of Versailles: The United States Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles for the second time, effectively maintaining the country's isolationist foreign policy stance. This decision prevented the United States from joining the League of Nations, a significant diplomatic setback for international cooperation in the aftermath of World War I.
20 Mar 1920 Aftermath of Kapp Putsch: German President Friedrich Ebert returned to Berlin from Stuttgart following the failure of Wolfgang Kapp's attempted coup, a significant moment in the turbulent political landscape of post-World War I Germany.
22 Mar 1920 Washington Ratifies Women's Suffrage Amendment: On March 22, 1920, Washington state became the 35th state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a pivotal moment in the women's suffrage movement. This ratification was crucial in securing women's right to vote nationwide, marking a significant milestone in American civil rights history.
23 Mar 1920 Shusha Massacre: Azerbaijani troops conducted a brutal attack on the Armenian half of Shusha, burning the area and massacring its population, marking a tragic moment in the ongoing Armenian-Azerbaijani regional conflict.
24 Mar 1920 First US Coast Guard Air Station Established: On March 24, 1920, the United States Coast Guard established its first air station in Morehead City, North Carolina. This milestone marked a significant expansion of the Coast Guard's capabilities, enabling aerial surveillance, maritime patrol, and search and rescue operations along the coastal regions. The establishment of this air station represented an innovative approach to maritime safety and national defense, leveraging emerging aviation technology to enhance coastal security and emergency response.
25 Mar 1920 Black and Tans Arrive in Ireland: The British paramilitary force known as the Black and Tans arrived in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence, marking a brutal period of conflict. These auxiliary police units were notorious for their harsh tactics and indiscriminate violence against Irish civilians. Their arrival escalated tensions, with significant incidents including the murders of 14 civilians at Croke Park, the assassination of republican mayor Tómas Mac Curtain, and the execution of 18-year-old IRA volunteer Kevin Barry, which became powerful symbols of British oppression in Ireland.
26 Mar 1920 Publication of 'This Side of Paradise' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: F. Scott Fitzgerald's debut novel 'This Side of Paradise' was published by Scribner's on March 26, 1920. The novel was a critical and commercial success that launched Fitzgerald's literary career and established him as a prominent voice of the Jazz Age. The book explores themes of youth, social class, and romantic disillusionment, capturing the spirit of post-World War I American society.
27 Mar 1920 Germany Violates Treaty of Versailles: An official investigation revealed that Germany had exceeded the military limitations specified in the Treaty of Versailles, which restricted its army to a maximum of 100,000 soldiers. This violation highlighted ongoing tensions in post-World War I Europe and the challenges of enforcing international agreements.
28 Mar 1920 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak of 1920: A devastating tornado outbreak struck the Great Lakes region and Deep South states on Palm Sunday, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. This natural disaster was one of the most severe meteorological events of the early 20th century, highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme weather.
29 Mar 1920 First British Army Field Marshal from Private Ranks: Sir William Robertson achieved a remarkable milestone in British military history by becoming the first soldier to rise from private to field marshal. Having enlisted in 1877, Robertson's extraordinary career trajectory demonstrated exceptional leadership, skill, and dedication, breaking traditional class barriers in the British Army's officer corps.
30 Mar 1920 Herbert Hoover's Political Emergence in 1920 Election: Herbert Hoover, a prominent war relief administrator, gained significant political momentum as supporters from both the Democratic and Republican parties placed him on their respective election ballots. This unusual cross-party endorsement highlighted Hoover's national reputation and potential as a presidential candidate, reflecting his respected status following his humanitarian work during World War I.
31 Mar 1920 Government of Ireland Act 1920: The British Parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act 1920, a significant legislative measure that proposed to establish separate home rule parliaments for Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. This act was a pivotal moment in Irish political history, attempting to address the complex political tensions between Ireland and the United Kingdom during a period of significant nationalist sentiment.