Major Events of March 1928: 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 1928 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1928: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1928 Birth of Dr. Seymour Papert: Dr. Seymour Papert, a pioneering South African mathematician and artificial intelligence researcher, was born. He would later become renowned for his groundbreaking work in educational technology and computational learning theory, particularly his contributions to the development of the Logo programming language and constructionist learning approaches.
02 Mar 1928 Mussolini's Territorial Assertion in South Tyrol: Benito Mussolini, the fascist leader of Italy, submitted a provocative bill to the Chamber of Deputies, delivering a stern warning to Austria regarding the ongoing Italianization process in South Tyrol. His message emphasized that future responses to international criticism would be characterized by decisive actions rather than diplomatic rhetoric.
03 Mar 1928 Mussolini's Aggressive Rhetoric Towards Austria: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini delivered a provocative speech to the Chamber of Deputies, warning Austria about potential consequences related to the Italianization of South Tyrol. This speech highlighted the rising tensions in European geopolitics and Mussolini's expansionist ambitions.
04 Mar 1928 The First Trans-American Footrace (Bunion Derby): The inaugural 'Trans-American Footrace', popularly known as the 'Bunion Derby', commenced in Los Angeles with an extraordinary challenge: 199 determined runners embarking on a grueling 3,523.5-mile (5,670.5 km) cross-country journey on foot to New York City. The race offered a substantial prize of $25,000 to the ultimate victor, attracting athletes willing to test their physical and mental endurance across diverse American landscapes.
05 Mar 1928 French Chamber of Deputies Reforms Military Justice System: The French Chamber of Deputies enacted significant military justice reforms by abolishing the drumhead court-martial system. Simultaneously, they introduced a new provision in the military code that established strict penalties for soldiers who commit offenses against the national flag or army, with potential punishments ranging from six months to five years imprisonment or loss of military rank.
06 Mar 1928 Birth of Gabriel García Márquez: Gabriel García Márquez, a renowned Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter, and journalist, was born in Aracataca, Colombia. He is best known for his landmark novel 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982 for his magical realist works that profoundly influenced 20th-century literature.
07 Mar 1928 Sonja Henie Triumphs at World Figure Skating Championships: Norwegian figure skating legend Sonja Henie secured a remarkable victory in the ladies' competition at the World Figure Skating Championships held in London. Her performance not only demonstrated exceptional technical skill but also helped establish her as a pioneering athlete who would later revolutionize figure skating and transition into a successful Hollywood movie star.
08 Mar 1928 Student Protests in Tanta, Egypt: Students in Tanta, Egypt, staged a significant public demonstration in the public square, protesting against a proposed treaty between Egypt and Great Britain. The riots highlighted the growing anti-colonial sentiment and political tensions of the era.
09 Mar 1928 Steamboat Robert E. Lee Runs Aground in Massachusetts: On March 9, 1928, the steamboat *Robert E. Lee* encountered treacherous maritime conditions and ran aground on the Mary Ann Rocks near Manomet Point in Plymouth, Massachusetts, during a severe storm. The incident highlights the dangerous navigational challenges faced by maritime vessels in the early 20th century, particularly when confronting unpredictable coastal weather patterns.
10 Mar 1928 Mysterious Disappearance of Walter Collins: Walter Collins, the young son of Christine Collins, vanished in Los Angeles, sparking a complex and tragic investigation that would later become known as the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, a notorious criminal case that shocked California in the late 1920s.
11 Mar 1928 Mussolini's Marriage Loan Program: As part of his fascist regime's social welfare and population growth strategy, Benito Mussolini introduced a national bank program designed to financially support young married couples. The initiative provided loans to newlyweds, allowing them to establish their households with state assistance, with the expectation of full repayment within two to three years.
12 Mar 1928 St. Francis Dam Catastrophic Failure: On March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam, located in San Francisquito Canyon near Los Angeles, California, catastrophically collapsed, unleashing a massive wall of water that devastated the surrounding communities. The dam's sudden failure resulted in a devastating flood that killed over 600 people and caused extensive property damage across multiple counties. The disaster, engineered by William Mulholland of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, became one of the worst civil engineering failures in United States history.
13 Mar 1928 St. Francis Dam Disaster: A catastrophic failure of the St. Francis Dam in the Santa Clarita Valley, California, resulted in a massive flood that killed approximately 450 people. The dam's collapse unleashed a devastating wall of water that swept through the San Francisquito Canyon, destroying everything in its path and becoming one of the worst civil engineering disasters in United States history.
15 Mar 1928 Mussolini Eliminates Electoral Freedom in Italy: Benito Mussolini fundamentally altered Italy's electoral system by abolishing citizens' right to freely choose their representatives, marking a significant step towards totalitarian control and suppressing democratic processes.
16 Mar 1928 Mustafa el-Nahhas Becomes Prime Minister of Egypt: Mustafa el-Nahhas became the Prime Minister of Egypt, marking the first of his five terms in office between 1928 and 1952. As a prominent political figure in Egyptian history, el-Nahhas played a significant role in the country's nationalist movement and political landscape during the early to mid-20th century.
17 Mar 1928 Uneventful Day in 1928: While no specific major historical events were recorded for March 17, 1928, this period was part of the interwar years between World War I and World War II. The world was experiencing significant economic and social transitions, with the aftermath of the 1929 Great Depression looming on the horizon.
18 Mar 1928 Birth of Fidel V. Ramos: Fidel V. Ramos was born on this date, who would later become a significant political figure and President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He was a key leader in the People Power Revolution and played a crucial role in the country's democratic transition.
19 Mar 1928 Amos and Andy Radio Debut: The popular radio comedy show 'Amos and Andy' premiered on the NBC Blue Network, specifically on WMAQ Chicago, marking a significant moment in early American radio entertainment. The show, featuring comedic portrayals of African American characters by white actors, would become a landmark program in radio broadcasting history.
20 Mar 1928 Fred Rogers Birth: Fred Rogers, the beloved Presbyterian minister and iconic television host of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood', was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Rogers would go on to become a transformative figure in children's television, known for his gentle demeanor and profound educational approach that helped millions of children understand complex emotions and social interactions.
21 Mar 1928 Charles Lindbergh Receives Congressional Medal of Honor: Charles Lindbergh was honored with the US Congressional Medal of Honor for his historic first trans-Atlantic solo flight, a groundbreaking achievement in aviation history that captured global imagination and demonstrated the potential of long-distance air travel.
22 Mar 1928 Noël Coward's 'This Year of Grace' Premiere: The Noël Coward revue 'This Year of Grace' premiered at the prestigious London Pavilion, marking an important moment in early 20th-century British theatrical entertainment.
23 Mar 1928 The Road to Ruin - Silent Film Release: On March 23, 1928, the silent film 'The Road to Ruin' was released, marking an important moment in early cinema history. This film was part of the vibrant silent film era, which was characterized by visual storytelling and dramatic performances without synchronized dialogue.
24 Mar 1928 Italia Airship Polar Disaster: The Italian airship *Italia*, led by General Umberto Nobile, crashes dramatically at the North Pole during an ambitious Arctic expedition. The catastrophic incident highlights the dangerous early era of polar exploration, with a complex rescue mission launched on May 30 to save survivors.
25 Mar 1928 Birth of Politician Aubrey Dunn Sr. and Astronaut Jim Lovell: On March 25, 1928, two notable Americans were born: Aubrey Dunn Sr., a prominent politician from New Mexico, and Jim Lovell, a legendary NASA astronaut famous for his critical role in the Apollo 13 mission. Dunn Sr. would go on to serve in various political roles in New Mexico, while Lovell would become one of the most celebrated astronauts in American history, piloting missions including Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13.
26 Mar 1928 Oxford English Dictionary Completion: The final section of the original Oxford English Dictionary (OED) was completed and prepared for publication. This milestone represented a monumental achievement in linguistic documentation and scholarly reference work.
27 Mar 1928 KGB-AM Radio Station Launch: KGB-AM radio station begins its first radio transmissions in San Diego, California, marking an important moment in local media broadcasting history.
28 Mar 1928 Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident: On March 28, 1979 (not 1928), a partial nuclear meltdown occurred at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. This incident is considered the most significant accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history. A combination of equipment malfunctions, design-related problems, and human errors led to a reactor core partial meltdown, causing significant public concern about nuclear energy safety and leading to major reforms in nuclear power plant operations and emergency response protocols.
29 Mar 1928 Yeshiva College Established in New York City: Yeshiva College was officially chartered on March 29, 1928, marking a significant milestone in Jewish higher education in New York City. The institution would go on to become a prominent center of Jewish learning and academic excellence, providing comprehensive undergraduate and graduate education rooted in both secular and religious traditions.
30 Mar 1928 Mario de Bernardi Sets Groundbreaking Air Speed Record: Italian aviation pioneer Mario de Bernardi achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new world air speed record of 336.6 miles per hour, dramatically surpassing his own previous record. This achievement represented a significant milestone in early aviation technology and demonstrated the rapid advancements in aircraft design and engineering during the interwar period.
31 Mar 1928 Birth of Hockey Legend Gordie Howe: Gordon 'Gordie' Howe was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada. He would go on to become one of the most iconic right wings in NHL history, playing primarily for the Detroit Red Wings and earning the nickname 'Mr. Hockey' for his extraordinary skills and longevity in the sport.