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Major Events of March 1938: 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 1938 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of March 1938: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 1938 Nazi March in Graz, Austria: 20,000 Nazis conducted a massive demonstration in Graz, Austria, deliberately defying government attempts to suppress their public gathering. This event signaled the growing boldness of Nazi sympathizers and the weakening resistance to Nazi expansion in Austria, just before the Anschluss.
  • 02 Mar 1938 Great Purge Trials in Soviet Union: The Soviet leadership initiated a series of political trials targeting high-ranking Soviet officials, marking a critical phase of Joseph Stalin's Great Purge. These trials were part of a systematic campaign to eliminate perceived political opponents and consolidate Stalin's absolute power within the Communist Party and Soviet government.
  • 03 Mar 1938 Oil Discovery in Saudi Arabia: A pivotal moment in Middle Eastern economic history occurred with the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia, which would fundamentally transform the region's geopolitical and economic landscape in the coming decades.
  • 04 Mar 1938 Supreme Court of Canada Strikes Down Alberta Act: The Supreme Court of Canada ruled the Accurate News and Information Act in Alberta unconstitutional, marking an important moment in Canadian legal and press freedom history. This decision upheld principles of free speech and challenged government attempts to control media reporting.
  • 05 Mar 1938 Birth of Fred Williamson: Football Player and Actor: Fred Williamson, a notable American football player who later transitioned to a successful acting career, was born on March 5, 1938, in Gary, Indiana. Known for his versatility, Williamson played professional football in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1960s before becoming a prominent actor in action films during the 1970s, particularly in the blaxploitation genre.
  • 07 Mar 1938 Aragon Offensive: The Nationalists launched the Aragon Offensive during the Spanish Civil War, a significant military campaign that played a crucial role in the conflict between Republican and Nationalist forces.
  • 08 Mar 1938 Herbert Hoover's Meeting with Adolf Hitler in Berlin: Former U.S. President Herbert Hoover visited Adolf Hitler at the Chancellery in Berlin, engaging in a diplomatic encounter during the tense pre-World War II period. This meeting occurred at a critical time when Nazi Germany was expanding its territorial ambitions and international tensions were escalating.
  • 09 Mar 1938 Austrian Chancellor's Last Stand for Independence: On March 9, 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg made a bold and desperate attempt to preserve Austria's sovereignty by announcing a national plebiscite scheduled for March 13. This referendum was intended to demonstrate popular support for Austrian independence in the face of increasing pressure from Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler's expansionist ambitions. Schuschnigg hoped that a public vote would provide international legitimacy to Austria's resistance against potential annexation.
  • 10 Mar 1938 Spanish Civil War: Insurgent Offensive in Eastern Spain: During the Spanish Civil War, Nationalist insurgent forces launched a significant offensive on Spain's eastern front, successfully capturing the strategic town of Belchite in Aragon. This military operation was part of the broader conflict between Republican and Nationalist forces that would ultimately lead to Francisco Franco's victory.
  • 11 Mar 1938 Nazi Germany Annexes Austria (Anschluss): On March 11, 1938, Artur Seyss-Inquart, a Nazi sympathizer, replaced Kurt von Schuschnigg as Chancellor of Austria, marking a critical moment in the lead-up to Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria. German troops simultaneously entered the country, effectively initiating the Anschluss (union) without significant military resistance.
  • 12 Mar 1938 Anschluss: Nazi Germany Annexes Austria: On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, initiating the forceful annexation of the country. This event, known as the Anschluss, marked a significant territorial expansion of Nazi Germany and a critical moment in the lead-up to World War II. German forces crossed the Austrian border at 8:00 a.m., encountering no military resistance.
  • 13 Mar 1938 Anschluss: Austria Unified with Nazi Germany: The Union of Austria and Germany was officially proclaimed in Vienna, marking a significant territorial expansion of the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, represented Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria, effectively ending Austrian independence and integrating the country into the German Reich.
  • 14 Mar 1938 Nazi Annexation of Austria: Adolf Hitler rode triumphantly into Vienna on March 14, 1938, marking the end of Austria's independence and its forceful annexation into Nazi Germany, a critical moment in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 15 Mar 1938 Hitler's Symbolic Vienna Speech: Adolf Hitler delivered a significant speech from the balcony of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, overlooking the Heldenplatz. By choosing this historic location, Hitler symbolically positioned himself as a successor to the Habsburg imperial legacy, using the site's deep historical significance to legitimize his annexation of Austria and present his regime as a continuation of historical leadership dating back to the Holy Roman Empire.
  • 16 Mar 1938 Temple Wins First National Invitation Tournament: Temple University's basketball team defeated the University of Colorado to claim victory in the inaugural National Invitation Tournament (NIT), marking a significant milestone in college basketball history.
  • 17 Mar 1938 Austrian Anschluss Referendum: In a historic and controversial national referendum, the Austrian electorate overwhelmingly approved the annexation by Nazi Germany (Anschluss) with an astonishing 99.73% vote, signaling the end of Austria's independence and a critical moment in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 18 Mar 1938 Mexico Nationalizes Oil Industry - Creation of Pemex: On March 18, 1938, President Lázaro Cárdenas expropriated all foreign-owned oil reserves and facilities, creating the state-owned petroleum company Pemex (Petróleos Mexicanos). This bold move nationalized the assets of 17 American and British oil companies, marking a significant moment in Mexico's economic sovereignty and challenging foreign corporate control.
  • 19 Mar 1938 Scotland Triumphs in Rugby Championship: In a thrilling rugby match at Twickenham, London, Scotland defeated England 21-16, securing not only the victory against their traditional rivals but also winning the prestigious Home Nations Rugby Championship, the Triple Crown, and the historic Calcutta Cup. This significant sporting achievement highlighted Scotland's rugby prowess during the late 1930s.
  • 20 Mar 1938 Czechoslovakia Prepares for Potential German Invasion: In response to growing tensions with Nazi Germany, Czechoslovakia initiated a partial military mobilization along its border with Germany. This strategic move was a defensive measure aimed at preparing the country's armed forces in anticipation of potential German aggression, reflecting the increasing geopolitical instability in Europe during the late 1930s.
  • 21 Mar 1938 Swiss Neutrality Declaration: The Swiss Federal Assembly made a powerful declaration of national defense, stating that any violation of Swiss neutrality would be met with 'an unshakeable, unanimous determination to defend independence to the last drop of blood.' This statement came at a critical time in European history, just before World War II.
  • 22 Mar 1938 Uneventful Day in 1938: While no specific major historical events were recorded on March 22, 1938, this period was part of the tumultuous pre-World War II era. In the months surrounding this date, significant global tensions were building, particularly in Europe, with Nazi Germany's expansionist policies and the growing threat of conflict.
  • 23 Mar 1938 Chamberlain Seeks Union Support for War Preparation: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain appeals to the Trades Union Congress to accelerate arms production in preparation for potential conflict. His strategic plan includes implementing day and night shifts in munitions factories and recruiting 100,000 additional semi-skilled workers to boost industrial capacity.
  • 24 Mar 1938 French Diplomatic Support for Czechoslovakia: French Premier Léon Blum reaffirmed France's commitment to its treaty obligations with Czechoslovakia, promising military support in the event of a potential German invasion. This diplomatic assurance was crucial in the tense pre-World War II European political landscape, though France would ultimately fail to prevent the Munich Agreement and subsequent German annexation.
  • 25 Mar 1938 Birth of Hoyt Axton: Hoyt Axton, a multifaceted American artist known for his contributions to country music as a singer, songwriter, and actor, was born on March 25, 1938. He would later become famous for his songwriting and musical performances, influencing the country and folk music scenes.
  • 26 Mar 1938 Japanese National Mobilization Bill: The Japanese government passed the National Mobilization Bill, granting the state extensive dictatorial powers over the economy. This legislation was a critical step in Japan's preparation for potential military conflict and marked a significant expansion of state control during the pre-World War II era.
  • 27 Mar 1938 Battle of Taierzhuang: A pivotal military engagement during the Second Sino-Japanese War, where Chinese forces successfully defended against Japanese invasion in Shandong Province. This battle marked a significant turning point, representing the first major Chinese victory over Japanese forces and boosting national morale during the conflict.
  • 28 Mar 1938 Hitler's Strategic Manipulation of Sudetenland Tensions: On March 28, 1938, Adolf Hitler met with Konrad Henlein in Berlin and provided calculated instructions regarding the Sudetenland, a predominantly ethnic German region in Czechoslovakia. Hitler strategically directed Henlein to escalate demands about the region's status while deliberately avoiding any meaningful compromise with Czechoslovak authorities. This deliberate strategy was part of Hitler's broader plan to create political instability and justify potential territorial expansion, ultimately setting the stage for the Munich Agreement and the subsequent dismemberment of Czechoslovakia.
  • 29 Mar 1938 Disappearance of Ettore Majorana: Italian mathematician Ettore Majorana mysteriously vanished while traveling by ship from Palermo to Naples, sparking decades of speculation about his fate. A brilliant quantum physicist and theoretical physicist known for his groundbreaking work in nuclear physics, Majorana's sudden disappearance remains one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in scientific history. Some theories suggest he might have deliberately chosen to disappear, while others propose more sinister explanations.
  • 30 Mar 1938 Mussolini Granted Equal Military Power in Italy: On March 30, 1938, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was officially granted equal military power to King Victor Emmanuel III, being named First Marshal of the Empire. This significant political move further consolidated Mussolini's authoritarian control over Italy's military and state apparatus, marking a critical moment in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 31 Mar 1938 Sheila Dikshit Birth: Sheila Dikshit, a prominent Indian politician who later became the Chief Minister of Delhi, was born on this date. She would go on to play a significant role in Delhi's political landscape.