Major Events of March 1936: 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 1936 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1936: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1936 First B-17 Bomber Delivered: The US Army Air Corps received the first of its order of 13 B-17 bombers, a pivotal moment in military aviation technology. The B-17 Flying Fortress would later become a legendary aircraft during World War II, playing a crucial role in strategic bombing campaigns in the European theater.
02 Mar 1936 Hitler Remilitarizes Rhineland: Adolf Hitler issued final orders for German troops to re-occupy former garrison posts in Rhineland towns, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. The orders included a strategic contingency: if French forces intervened, German troops were instructed to withdraw immediately, testing international resolve.
03 Mar 1936 Italian Government Nationalizes Major Banks: The Italian government officially declared the country's four largest banks as public banks, marking a significant intervention in the national financial system. This move represented a strategic economic policy during the pre-World War II period, reflecting the government's increasing control over key economic institutions.
04 Mar 1936 Italian Warplane Attacks Red Cross Ambulance in Ethiopia: During the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, an Italian warplane bombed a British Red Cross ambulance on the Korem plain, killing seven patients. This incident highlighted the brutal nature of the conflict and violations of international humanitarian law.
05 Mar 1936 Spitfire's First Flight: The legendary Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft made its maiden flight at Eastleigh Aerodrome in Southampton, marking a pivotal moment in British aviation history. This aircraft would become iconic during World War II, playing a crucial role in the Royal Air Force's defense during the Battle of Britain.
06 Mar 1936 Hitler Summons Reichstag, Raising International Tensions: Adolf Hitler called an extraordinary session of the Reichstag for Saturday at noon, creating widespread international speculation. The only announced agenda item was 'acceptance of a declaration of the German government,' which heightened diplomatic uncertainty and anxiety about Nazi Germany's potential intentions.
07 Mar 1936 Hitler Denounces Versailles Treaty, Reoccupies Rhineland: Adolf Hitler publicly denounced the Rhineland provisions of the Treaty of Versailles and Locarno Treaty. In a bold military move, 14,500 German troops, supported by 22,000 local police, marched into and reoccupied the Rhineland, directly challenging post-World War I territorial restrictions.
08 Mar 1936 Spanish Military Coup Planning: Spanish army officers, including key figures Emilio Mola and Francisco Franco, convened a secret meeting in Madrid to strategize a potential coup against the existing government. This meeting was a critical precursor to the Spanish Civil War.
09 Mar 1936 Japanese Political Leadership Change: Pro-democratic militarist Keisuke Okada steps down as Prime Minister of Japan and is replaced by radical militarist Koki Hirota, marking a significant shift in Japan's political landscape during the pre-World War II era.
10 Mar 1936 France Reinforces Maginot Line: France increased its military presence along the strategically important Maginot Line, a complex system of fortifications designed to deter potential German invasion in the lead-up to World War II.
11 Mar 1936 Five Nations Protest Germany's Rhineland Remilitarization: On March 11, 1936, five nations united to support France in a formal protest to the League of Nations regarding Germany's unauthorized remilitarization of the Rhineland, a significant violation of the Treaty of Versailles and an early sign of Nazi Germany's aggressive expansionist policies.
12 Mar 1936 Soviet-Mongolian Mutual Assistance Pact: The Soviet Union and the Mongolian People's Republic signed a strategic mutual assistance pact, which granted the Soviet Union the right to station troops at critical strategic locations. This agreement was primarily aimed at providing collective defense for Mongolia against potential external aggression, particularly in the context of rising tensions with Imperial Japan in the region.
13 Mar 1936 Church and Newspaper Burning in Madrid: During a period of significant political tension in pre-Civil War Spain, leftist rioters set fire to churches and a newspaper plant in Madrid, reflecting the deep ideological divisions and social unrest prevalent in the country at that time.
14 Mar 1936 First Federal Register Published: The Federal Register, the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, publishes its inaugural issue. This landmark publication would become a critical resource for understanding and tracking government regulations and official communications.
15 Mar 1936 Hitler Demands Equal Rights in Rhineland Conference: On March 15, 1936, Adolf Hitler articulated specific diplomatic conditions for Germany's potential participation in the Rhineland conference. He insisted on two key prerequisites: first, that Germany be granted equal diplomatic standing with other participating powers, and second, that immediate negotiations commence for comprehensive peace agreements involving Germany. This move was part of Hitler's broader strategy to challenge the post-World War I international order and reassert German sovereignty.
16 Mar 1936 Death of Marguerite Durand, French Feminist Pioneer: Marguerite Durand, a prominent French journalist and influential feminist leader who played a significant role in advancing women's rights in early 20th century France, passed away. Known for her groundbreaking work in journalism and women's suffrage movements, Durand was a key figure in challenging gender norms of her time.
17 Mar 1936 St. Patrick's Day Flood in Pittsburgh: On March 17, 1936, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania experienced its most devastating flood in recorded history. The St. Patrick's Day Flood caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure, with widespread flooding along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. At least 10 fatalities were reported in nearby Johnstown, highlighting the flood's destructive impact on the region. The disaster led to major changes in flood control and urban planning in southwestern Pennsylvania.
18 Mar 1936 Frederik Willem de Klerk's Nobel Peace Prize: Frederik Willem de Klerk, who would later become a pivotal figure in ending apartheid in South Africa, was recognized for his significant contributions to peace and reconciliation.
19 Mar 1936 League of Nations Condemns German Treaty Violations: The Council of the League of Nations officially censured Germany for breaching international treaties, signaling growing international tension in the lead-up to World War II. This diplomatic condemnation was a significant moment in the escalating geopolitical conflicts of the 1930s.
20 Mar 1936 Lee 'Scratch' Perry Born: Lee 'Scratch' Perry, a pioneering Jamaican musician and record producer, was born on March 20, 1936. He would go on to become a legendary figure in reggae and dub music, significantly influencing the development of these genres and Jamaican popular music.
21 Mar 1936 Roosevelt Provides Extensive Flood Relief Funding: In response to a significant flooding crisis, President Franklin D. Roosevelt demonstrated decisive leadership by allocating a substantial $25 million in federal funds for flood relief efforts. This allocation was in addition to the $18.4 million previously committed through emergency funds, bringing the total emergency relief package to $43.4 million. The funding was likely aimed at supporting affected communities, rebuilding infrastructure, and providing immediate assistance to displaced residents.
22 Mar 1936 Hitler's Rhineland Remilitarization Speech: Adolf Hitler delivered a significant speech regarding the re-occupation of the Rhineland, declaring it a pivotal moment in history, signaling Germany's growing military ambitions and challenging the Treaty of Versailles.
23 Mar 1936 Mussolini Establishes National Council of Guilds: On March 23, 1936, Benito Mussolini created the National Council of Guilds, a significant step in his corporatist economic policy. The council represented 23 professional corporations and marked a pivotal moment in the fascist regime's economic restructuring, with large private industries being nationalized.
24 Mar 1936 Eleanor Roosevelt Honors Helen Keller: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt addressed a special reception in Washington, D.C. commemorating the 25th anniversary of the National Library for the Blind. At this event, she honored Helen Keller, the renowned humanitarian who overcame being blind and deaf, highlighting her remarkable achievements and contributions to disability awareness.
25 Mar 1936 Second London Naval Treaty Signed: Britain, France, and the United States signed the Second London Naval Treaty, establishing significant international maritime regulations by limiting naval vessel tonnage and gun sizes across different ship categories.
26 Mar 1936 Longest NHL Hockey Game in History: In an epic hockey marathon, the Montreal Maroons and Detroit Red Wings played the longest game in National Hockey League history, remaining scoreless until 16.5 minutes into the sixth overtime period. Mud Bruneteau finally ended the grueling match at 2:25 AM, a record that would stand until May 4, 2000.
27 Mar 1936 Reynoldstown Wins Grand National Horse Race Again: Reynoldstown, a remarkable racehorse, achieved a significant sporting feat by winning the prestigious Grand National horse race for the second consecutive year. This rare accomplishment highlighted the horse's exceptional racing abilities and stamina, making it a notable figure in horse racing history.
28 Mar 1936 José Antonio Primo de Rivera Imprisoned for Police Insult: José Antonio Primo de Rivera, a prominent Spanish political figure and founder of the Falange Española (Spanish Fascist Party), was sentenced to two months in prison for publicly insulting the Spanish Chief of Police. This incident highlighted the tense political climate in Spain during the lead-up to the Spanish Civil War, demonstrating the volatile relationship between political dissidents and law enforcement authorities.
29 Mar 1936 Nazi Referendum on Rhineland Remilitarization: In a carefully orchestrated electoral event, Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime conducted a referendum to ratify Germany's illegal reoccupation of the Rhineland. The election, devoid of genuine democratic process, claimed an overwhelming 99% approval, with 44.5 million votes out of 45.5 million registered voters. This referendum occurred in the context of Nazi Germany's systematic elimination of political liberty, having abolished all political parties in 1933.
30 Mar 1936 Iran Closes U.S. Diplomatic Offices: In a diplomatic protest on March 30, 1936, Iran announced the closure of its diplomatic and consular offices in the United States, citing negative and unfair portrayal of Iranian subjects in the American press. This action highlighted the tensions and communication challenges between Iran and the United States during the mid-1930s.
31 Mar 1936 Uneventful Day in 1936: While no specific major historical events were recorded on March 31, 1936, this period was part of the interwar years between World War I and World War II. The global political landscape was tense, with rising fascism in Europe and increasing international uncertainties.