Major Events of March 1922: 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 1922 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1922: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1922 Yitzhak Rabin Birth: Yitzhak Rabin was born, who would later become a prominent Israeli military leader and politician, serving as Prime Minister of Israel and ultimately receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He was tragically assassinated in 1995, marking a significant moment in Israeli political history.
02 Mar 1922 Warren G. Harding's First Year as U.S. President: Warren G. Harding, a former newspaper publisher from Ohio, was completing his first year in office as President of the United States. Having been inaugurated on March 2, 1921, Harding was marking a significant milestone in his presidential tenure.
03 Mar 1922 Fascist Occupation of Fiume and Rijeka: Italian fascists, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, occupied the cities of Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia), expanding their territorial control and demonstrating the aggressive expansionist policies of the fascist regime.
04 Mar 1922 Death of Bert Williams, Pioneering African American Entertainer: Bert Williams (born Egbert Austin Williams), a groundbreaking African American vaudeville performer, comedian, and recording artist, passed away. Known for breaking racial barriers in entertainment, Williams was one of the most popular comedians of the early 20th century and a significant figure in the development of African American performance arts.
05 Mar 1922 Nosferatu Film Premiere in Berlin: The iconic German Expressionist horror film 'Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror' (Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens) directed by F.W. Murnau premiered in Berlin. This unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' would become a landmark in cinema history, significantly influencing the horror genre despite legal challenges from Stoker's estate.
06 Mar 1922 Babe Ruth Signs Historic Yankees Contract: Baseball legend Babe Ruth signed a groundbreaking three-year contract with the New York Yankees, securing an unprecedented annual salary of $52,000, which was an extraordinary sum for an athlete in 1922. This contract solidified Ruth's status as the highest-paid baseball player of his era and marked a significant moment in professional sports history.
07 Mar 1922 Sigurður Eggerz Returns as Iceland's Prime Minister: Sigurður Eggerz was re-elected as Prime Minister of Iceland, marking his second term in this leadership role and continuing his political influence in the young Nordic nation.
08 Mar 1922 Death of Elizabeth Cotton, Lady Hope: Elizabeth Cotton, Lady Hope, a British evangelist, passed away at the age of 79. She was notably known for her controversial claim that Charles Darwin had a religious conversion on his deathbed in 1915, stating that he had renounced his scientific theories and found God. This claim has been widely disputed by historians and Darwin's family, who argue that no such conversation took place and that it was likely a fabricated narrative.
09 Mar 1922 Eugene O'Neill's "Hairy Ape" Premieres in New York: Eugene O'Neill's groundbreaking expressionist play "The Hairy Ape" debuts at the Provincetown Playhouse in New York City. The play explores themes of social class, industrialization, and human identity through the story of Yank, a brutish stoker struggling to find his place in society. This work is considered a significant contribution to modern American theater, showcasing O'Neill's innovative dramatic techniques.
10 Mar 1922 Mahatma Gandhi Arrested and Sentenced: Mahatma Gandhi was arrested in India, tried for sedition, and sentenced to six years in prison. However, he was released after nearly two years due to an appendicitis operation. This event was part of his ongoing struggle against British colonial rule and his commitment to non-violent resistance.
11 Mar 1922 International Reparations Agreement: Major world powers (Great Britain, Belgium, France, Italy, and Japan) signed a diplomatic agreement in Paris regarding the distribution of German reparation payments following World War I. This treaty was a crucial part of post-war economic negotiations and international diplomacy.
12 Mar 1922 Birth of Jack Kerouac: On March 12, 1922, Jack Kerouac was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. A pivotal figure in the Beat Generation literary movement, Kerouac would later become renowned for his groundbreaking novel 'On the Road', which profoundly influenced American counterculture and modern literature. His spontaneous prose style and exploration of personal freedom would inspire generations of writers and artists.
13 Mar 1922 Prince of Wales Inaugurates Royal Indian Military College: Prince Edward inaugurated the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College in Dehradun, India. This significant event symbolized the British Empire's acknowledgment of growing Indian nationalist sentiments and the need for Indianization within the military officer corps.
14 Mar 1922 WGR-AM Starts Broadcasting in Buffalo: WGR-AM began its radio transmissions in Buffalo, New York, expanding the radio broadcasting landscape in the northeastern United States and providing a new medium for communication and entertainment.
15 Mar 1922 France Accepts German Reparations in Raw Materials: In a post-World War I economic arrangement, France agreed to accept raw materials from Germany as reparation payments on March 15, 1922, reflecting the complex economic negotiations following the war.
16 Mar 1922 Gandhi Sentenced to Prison: Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years of imprisonment for his continued civil disobedience against British colonial rule in India. This event was a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement, highlighting Gandhi's commitment to non-violent resistance and challenging the British colonial system.
17 Mar 1922 New York St. Patrick's Day Parade Highlights Irish-American Political Sentiment: On March 17, 1922, over 50,000 people participated in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City, transforming the cultural celebration into a powerful political statement. The parade's Grand Marshal, Edward J. Gavegan, used the event as a platform to express dissatisfaction with the Anglo-Irish Treaty recently negotiated with the British government. In a notable telegram sent to Michael Collins, the head of the Provisional Government of Ireland, Gavegan articulated the American Irish community's disappointment with the treaty's terms, which fell short of their expectations for full Irish independence.
18 Mar 1922 Gandhi Sentenced for Civil Disobedience: British magistrates in India sentence Mohandas K. Gandhi to six years in prison for civil disobedience, a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence.
19 Mar 1922 Lenin's Secret Anti-Church Resolution: In a clandestine meeting on March 19, 1922, Vladimir Lenin convened a critical gathering with top political leaders, GPU (State Political Directorate) officials, and heads of the People's Commissariat of Justice. During this secretive session, Lenin proposed and pushed for a radical resolution targeting the Russian Orthodox Church. The resolution called for the complete dispossession and systematic suppression of church properties and institutions, to be executed with 'ruthless resolution' and implemented with extreme speed and efficiency. This directive was part of the broader Soviet campaign to weaken religious institutions and consolidate state power.
20 Mar 1922 USS Langley Commissioned as First US Aircraft Carrier: The USS Langley (CV-1) was commissioned by the United States Navy, becoming the nation's first aircraft carrier. This historic moment revolutionized naval warfare and marked the beginning of carrier-based military aviation.
21 Mar 1922 Egypt Gains Sovereignty: Egypt is officially declared a sovereign state, marking a crucial moment in the country's journey towards independence and self-governance, signaling the end of British colonial influence.
22 Mar 1922 Mahatma Gandhi Sentenced to Prison: British colonial authorities sentenced Mahatma Gandhi to six years in prison for his continued civil disobedience and non-violent resistance against British imperial rule in India. This imprisonment was part of the ongoing struggle for Indian independence and highlighted the tensions between the British colonial government and Indian nationalist movements.
23 Mar 1922 First Airplane Landing at US Capitol: On March 23, 1922, a historic aviation milestone occurred when the first airplane successfully landed on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. This event symbolized the rapid technological advancement and growing integration of aviation into American political and public life during the early 20th century.
24 Mar 1922 Challenging Grand National Race at Aintree: The 1922 Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse was exceptionally difficult, with only three horses completing the grueling course out of 32 starters. This rare occurrence highlights the extreme challenge and unpredictability of the famous steeplechase, known for its demanding jumps and rigorous course.
25 Mar 1922 Founding of Ford Modeling Agency: Eileen Ford co-founded the Ford Modeling Agency, a pioneering talent management organization that would revolutionize the fashion and modeling industry in the United States. Her agency became renowned for discovering and representing top models, setting professional standards, and transforming modeling from a marginal profession to a respected career path.
26 Mar 1922 German Social Democratic Party Established in Poland: On March 26, 1922, the German Social Democratic Party was officially founded in Poland, marking a significant moment in the political landscape of the region. This establishment represented the consolidation of various socialist political movements and reflected the complex political dynamics of post-World War I Eastern Europe.
27 Mar 1922 Russian Civil War: Yakut People's Army Resistance: During the tumultuous Russian Civil War, troops led by General Mikhail Korobeinikov of the anti-Bolshevik Yakut People's Army continued their determined resistance against Bolshevik forces in the remote Yakutia region. This ongoing conflict represented the complex and fragmented nature of the Russian Civil War, where multiple factions fought for control of the vast Russian territories. The Yakut People's Army, representing local resistance to Bolshevik control, demonstrated the significant regional opposition to the emerging Soviet regime.
28 Mar 1922 Assassination Attempt on Japanese Official in Shanghai: Two Korean nationals attempted to assassinate Tanaka Giichi, the former Japanese Minister of War, as he was disembarking from a ship in Shanghai. This incident highlighted the complex political tensions between Korea, Japan, and China during the early 20th century.
29 Mar 1922 Tex Rickard Legal Controversy Resolved: Prominent boxing promoter George Lewis 'Tex' Rickard was acquitted by a jury of assault and abduction charges involving a minor. The trial, which attracted significant media attention, concluded with a not guilty verdict, effectively clearing Rickard's professional reputation during a pivotal period in early 20th-century sports entertainment.
30 Mar 1922 KGY-AM Radio Station Launch in Olympia, Washington: KGY-AM, a pioneering radio station, began its first radio transmissions in Olympia, Washington, marking an important milestone in the early days of broadcast media in the Pacific Northwest.
31 Mar 1922 Infamous Hinterkaifeck Murders Shock Bavaria: A horrific mass murder occurs at the Hinterkaifeck farm north of Munich, where six people are brutally killed in one of the most mysterious and chilling criminal cases in early 20th-century German history. The perpetrator was never identified, making this a notorious unsolved crime.