Major Events of March 1929: 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 1929 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1929: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1929 French Parliament Ratifies Kellogg-Briand Pact: The French Parliament ratified the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an international agreement aimed at outlawing war as an instrument of national policy. Signed in 1928 by fifteen nations, the pact was a significant diplomatic effort to prevent future global conflicts in the aftermath of World War I.
02 Mar 1929 San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge Opens: The San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, measuring 12 miles (19 km), was inaugurated as the longest bridge in the world at the time, representing a significant engineering achievement of the era.
03 Mar 1929 Herbert Hoover Inaugurated as US President: Herbert Hoover was sworn in as the 31st President of the United States, succeeding Calvin Coolidge. A historic moment was marked by Vice President Charles Curtis becoming the first person with non-European ancestry to reach such a high national office.
04 Mar 1929 Inauguration of Herbert Hoover as 31st US President: Herbert Hoover was sworn in as the 31st President of the United States by Chief Justice William Howard Taft during a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. This marked a significant transition in American political leadership at the start of the Great Depression era.
05 Mar 1929 Gillis Grafström Wins World Figure Skating Championship: Swedish figure skater Gillis Grafström secured victory in the Men's Competition of the World Figure Skating Championships, held in London. Grafström, a renowned athlete, demonstrated exceptional skill and technique to claim the prestigious title, further solidifying Sweden's reputation in international figure skating during the early 20th century.
06 Mar 1929 Turkey-Bulgaria Friendship Treaty Signed: On March 6, 1929, Turkey and Bulgaria signed a bilateral friendship treaty, marking a diplomatic milestone in their bilateral relations during the interwar period. This agreement aimed to normalize relations and promote peaceful cooperation between the two nations following the tumultuous aftermath of World War I.
07 Mar 1929 Hoover Calls Special Congressional Session for Farm Relief: U.S. President Herbert Hoover issued a presidential proclamation calling a special session of the United States Congress for April 15, 1929, with the primary objective of passing comprehensive farm relief legislation. This action reflected the economic challenges facing agricultural communities during the late 1920s and Hoover's commitment to addressing rural economic distress.
08 Mar 1929 Cristero War Escalation in Mexico: Mexican rebel forces intensified their military campaign during the Cristero War, successfully capturing strategic cities including Juárez, Nogales, and Veracruz. These territorial gains marked a significant moment of conflict between rebel forces and the Mexican government.
09 Mar 1929 Birth of Zillur Rahman, Bangladeshi President: Zillur Rahman was born in Bhairab Upazila, then part of British India, who would later become the 15th President of Bangladesh. His birth marked the beginning of a life that would significantly contribute to the political development of Bangladesh in the post-independence era.
10 Mar 1929 Egypt Introduces Limited Divorce Rights for Women: On March 10, 1929, the Egyptian government made a significant legal reform by granting women limited rights to divorce. This progressive legislative change marked an important milestone in women's legal rights in Egypt during the early 20th century, challenging traditional social norms and providing women with increased personal autonomy.
11 Mar 1929 Henry Segrave Sets Land Speed Record: British racing driver Henry Segrave achieved a remarkable milestone in automotive history by setting a new land speed record of 231 miles per hour at Daytona Beach, Florida. Driving the iconic Golden Arrow racer, Segrave pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering and human speed capabilities, demonstrating the rapid technological advancements of the early 20th century.
12 Mar 1929 Mexican Revolution Suppression: President Emilio Portes Gil officially declared the defeat of a rebel uprising near Saltillo, marking a significant moment in the stabilization of post-revolutionary Mexico. The government's successful suppression of the rebellion demonstrated the consolidation of political power following the Mexican Revolution.
13 Mar 1929 Donald Bradman's Second Test Century: On March 13, 1929, cricket legend Donald Bradman achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring 123 runs against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marking his second Test century. This performance was an early indication of Bradman's extraordinary batting prowess, which would later earn him recognition as one of the greatest cricketers in history. His consistent and powerful batting style would revolutionize the sport and set unprecedented standards for future generations of cricketers.
14 Mar 1929 Albert Einstein's Birth: Albert Einstein, one of the most influential physicists in human history, was born in Ulm, Germany. His groundbreaking work on the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics would revolutionize scientific understanding of space, time, and the fundamental nature of the universe. Einstein's intellectual contributions not only transformed theoretical physics but also had profound implications for technology, philosophy, and humanity's comprehension of the cosmos.
15 Mar 1929 Mexican Government Forces Capture Durango: During the tumultuous period of post-revolutionary Mexico, government forces successfully captured the city of Durango, a strategic location in northern Mexico. This military action was part of the ongoing efforts to consolidate federal control and suppress regional resistance following the Mexican Revolution.
16 Mar 1929 Estonia Ratifies Litvinov's Pact: Estonia formally ratified the Litvinov's Pact, a diplomatic agreement aimed at renouncing war as an instrument of national policy and promoting peaceful resolution of international disputes.
17 Mar 1929 First Mickey Mouse Cartoon Released: Walt Disney's *Plane Crazy*, the first Mickey Mouse cartoon ever made, was released. Although it was the first film created, it was the fourth to be shown in theaters, marking a pivotal moment in animation history.
18 Mar 1929 Mexican Rebel Negotiations Begin: Mexican President Emilio Portes Gil announced that rebel factions had initiated peace negotiations, signaling a potential end to ongoing political tensions in Mexico. This diplomatic effort represented a critical moment in Mexico's post-revolutionary period, aiming to reduce internal conflict and stabilize the national political landscape.
19 Mar 1929 Birth of Miquel Martí i Pol: Miquel Martí i Pol, a renowned Catalan poet, was born in Catalonia. He would later become one of the most important poets of the 20th century in Catalonia, known for his powerful and socially engaged poetry that often reflected the political and cultural struggles of his time.
20 Mar 1929 Uneventful Day in 1929: While no specific major historical events were recorded for March 20, 1929, this day represents a typical moment in the interwar period between World War I and World War II. The world was experiencing relative peace and economic recovery following the tumultuous 1920s, with global powers gradually rebuilding and reshaping international relations.
21 Mar 1929 Kinloch Coal Mine Disaster: A devastating explosion occurred at the Kinloch coal mine in Parnassus, Pennsylvania, resulting in the tragic loss of 46 miners' lives. This catastrophic incident highlighted the dangerous working conditions in early 20th-century coal mining and the significant human cost of industrial labor during that era.
22 Mar 1929 The Divine Lady Film Premiere: A groundbreaking historical film, The Divine Lady, premiered at Warner's Theatre in New York. The movie featured innovative music and sound effects, though it lacked audible dialogue, representing an important transition in early cinema.
23 Mar 1929 Southern Cross Aircraft Goes Missing: The airplane *Southern Cross* and its crew temporarily disappeared over northwest Australia during the first leg of an ambitious Sydney to England flight attempt, creating significant drama and uncertainty in early aviation exploration.
24 Mar 1929 Italian Fascist Party Consolidates Power: The National Fascist Party won general elections in Italy with over 98% of the vote, effectively eliminating political opposition. The election was a sham, with voters only allowed to vote 'yes' or 'no' to a single list of candidates, marking a significant moment in the rise of fascism under Mussolini.
25 Mar 1929 Birth of Jazz Innovator Cecil Taylor: Cecil Taylor, a groundbreaking jazz pianist and poet, was born in New York City. Known for his avant-garde and free jazz approach, Taylor would become one of the most influential and experimental musicians of the 20th century, pushing the boundaries of musical expression until his death in 2018.
26 Mar 1929 Stock Market Decline in March 1929: The stock market experienced a significant sell-off, with most stocks losing between 20 to 30 points. Trading volume reached a record high of 8,239,000 shares, indicating substantial market volatility and investor uncertainty. This event occurred just months before the infamous Wall Street Crash of October 1929, potentially signaling early signs of the impending economic downturn.
27 Mar 1929 US Ladies Figure Skating Championship: Maribel Vinson secured the United States Ladies Figure Skating Championship, demonstrating her exceptional skill and artistry on the ice. Vinson was a prominent figure skater who would go on to become a nine-time national champion and an Olympic competitor.
28 Mar 1929 Mickey Mouse Cartoon 'The Opry House' Released: Walt Disney released the Mickey Mouse cartoon short 'The Opry House', a notable animation milestone that introduced Mickey wearing gloves for the first time, further developing the character's iconic visual design.
29 Mar 1929 Birth of Lennart Meri: Lennart Meri, a prominent Estonian intellectual, filmmaker, and statesman, was born. He later became the first President of Estonia after its restoration of independence, serving from 1992 to 2001 and playing a crucial role in Estonia's post-Soviet transition.
30 Mar 1929 Imperial Airways Launches London-Karachi Route: Imperial Airways inaugurated its groundbreaking commercial air service connecting London and Karachi, marking a significant milestone in international aviation. This route represented a critical link between the British Empire's metropolitan center and its strategic colonial territories in the Indian subcontinent. The service dramatically reduced travel time and enhanced communication capabilities, symbolizing the technological advancements of the early 20th century.
31 Mar 1929 Southern Cross Aircraft Goes Missing Over Australia: The historic aircraft 'Southern Cross' and its crew temporarily disappeared over northwest Australia during the initial stage of an ambitious transcontinental flight attempt from Sydney to England, highlighting the dangerous and unpredictable nature of early long-distance aviation.