Major Events of March 1940: 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 1940 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1940: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1940 Nazi Germany Plans Invasion of Denmark and Norway: Adolf Hitler issues Directive for 'Case Weser' (Operation Weserübung), ordering strategic preparations for the occupation of Denmark and Norway. The primary objectives include securing critical Swedish iron ore supplies and establishing strategic naval and air bases to support potential operations against England. General Nickolaus von Falkenhorst is appointed as Commander of Group XXI to lead this military operation, which was ostensibly designed to appear as a protective measure while maintaining a facade of neutrality.
02 Mar 1940 Soviet Conquest of Tuppura Island during Winter War: During the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland, Soviet armies successfully conquered Tuppura Island, representing another strategic military advancement in their ongoing conflict.
03 Mar 1940 Soviet Offensive on Viipuri during Winter War: As part of the ongoing Winter War, Soviet forces launched attacks on Viipuri, Finland's second-largest city, escalating the military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland.
04 Mar 1940 British Labor Regulations for Women and Youth: The British Home Office implemented significant labor protections by announcing work hour restrictions. Women would be limited to a maximum of 60 hours per week in factories, while individuals under 16 years old would not be required to work more than 48 hours, marking an important step in labor rights and worker protection.
05 Mar 1940 Katyn Massacre Order Signed: In a dark moment of World War II history, six high-ranking Soviet Politburo members, including Joseph Stalin, signed an order authorizing the execution of 25,700 Polish intellectuals and prisoners of war. This systematic killing of Polish elite would later become known as the Katyn massacre, a significant war crime that would have long-lasting diplomatic and historical repercussions.
06 Mar 1940 Winter War Armistice: The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union concludes with a significant armistice, marking the end of a brutal conflict that began in November 1939. The treaty forced Finland to cede substantial territory to the Soviet Union, fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape of Northern Europe.
07 Mar 1940 Diplomatic Mission: Sumner Welles in Paris: U.S. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles conducted a critical diplomatic visit to Paris, meeting with French President Albert François Lebrun and Prime Minister Édouard Daladier during the early stages of World War II. During discussions, Daladier emphasized the importance of restoring independence to Poland and Czechoslovakia, while expressing deep distrust of Hitler but remaining open to potential negotiations.
08 Mar 1940 Nazi Reprisal Killings in the Netherlands: In a brutal response to a resistance attack at Woeste Hoeve on March 6, Nazi forces executed 262 Dutch prisoners and civilians as a punitive measure. This event exemplifies the Nazi regime's systematic use of terror and collective punishment against civilian populations during World War II.
09 Mar 1940 Raúl Juliá Birth: Raúl Juliá, a renowned Puerto Rican actor known for his dynamic performances in film, theater, and television, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He would go on to become a celebrated international actor, recognized for his roles in movies like 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' and 'The Addams Family', and for his significant contributions to Hispanic representation in Hollywood.
10 Mar 1940 Ribbentrop's Diplomatic Mission to Rome: Nazi Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop arrived in Rome for critical two-day meetings with Benito Mussolini. The discussions centered on Italy's potential entry into World War II, with plans for a forthcoming face-to-face meeting between Mussolini and Hitler.
11 Mar 1940 Finland Cedes Territory to Soviet Union in Moscow Treaty: Following the Winter War, Finland signs the Treaty of Moscow with the Soviet Union, agreeing to cede approximately 10% of its territory. This significant territorial concession dramatically altered Finland's geopolitical landscape and demonstrated the Soviet Union's military pressure during the early stages of World War II.
12 Mar 1940 Finland and Soviet Union Sign Moscow Peace Treaty: Finland and the Soviet Union concluded the Moscow Peace Treaty, ending the Winter War. Under the treaty, Finland maintained its independence but was forced to cede significant territories, including the Karelian Isthmus, Viipuri, and land north of Lake Ladoga. The Soviets were granted a 30-year naval base lease in Hanko and a right-of-way to Sweden, dramatically reshaping Finland's territorial integrity and geopolitical position.
13 Mar 1940 The Russo-Finnish Winter War ends.
14 Mar 1940 Mass Displacement of Finnish Karelia: Following the Moscow Peace Treaty, over 450,000 Finnish citizens began the complex process of relocating across Finland's newly established border. This massive population movement was a direct consequence of territorial changes resulting from the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union.
15 Mar 1940 Battle of Wuyuan Begins: The Battle of Wuyuan commenced on March 15, 1940, as a precursor to a larger military engagement that would fully unfold on March 16, 1940, likely part of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
16 Mar 1940 First British Civilian Casualty in World War II Air Raid: On March 16, 1940, during a German bombing raid on Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, James Isbister became the first British civilian killed in a German air attack during World War II. The strategic naval base of Scapa Flow was a critical location for the British Royal Navy, making it a prime target for German aerial bombardment.
17 Mar 1940 Saint Patrick's Day Celebration: Saint Patrick's Day, observed annually on March 17th, is a cultural and religious holiday commemorating Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Originally a Christian feast day, it has evolved into a global celebration of Irish heritage and culture, marked by parades, wearing green clothing, and festive gatherings. Saint Patrick, a 5th-century missionary, is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and legendarily known for driving snakes out of the island.
18 Mar 1940 Alan Turing's Bombe Machine Becomes Operational: A pivotal moment in World War II cryptography, Alan Turing's Bombe electromechanical decryption machine became operational at Bletchley Park, England. This groundbreaking device was designed to decrypt complex German Enigma messages, providing crucial intelligence for the Allied war effort.
19 Mar 1940 First British Bombing of German Territory: The Royal Air Force successfully bombed a seaplane base at Hörnum on Sylt Island, marking the first time bombs were dropped on German soil during World War II. This strategic mission represented an escalation of aerial warfare between Britain and Germany.
20 Mar 1940 Paul Reynaud Becomes French Premier: Paul Reynaud was appointed as the Prime Minister of France, succeeding Édouard Daladier during a critical period of World War II. This leadership change occurred amidst significant political turbulence and the growing threat of Nazi Germany's expansion.
21 Mar 1940 Paul Reynaud Becomes Prime Minister of France: On March 21, 1940, during the early stages of World War II, Paul Reynaud succeeded Édouard Daladier as Prime Minister of France. This leadership transition occurred at a critical moment when France was facing imminent German invasion and preparing for potential military conflict.
22 Mar 1940 Soviet Military Deployment in Hanko, Finland: As a direct consequence of the Moscow Peace Treaty, Soviet military personnel began arriving in the Finnish port of Hanko, which had been leased to the Soviet Union for a 30-year period. This strategic deployment highlighted the complex geopolitical maneuvering between the Soviet Union and Finland in the early stages of World War II, demonstrating the Soviet Union's territorial ambitions and military positioning.
23 Mar 1940 Lahore Resolution Proposed: The Lahore Resolution (Qarardad-e-Pakistan) was formally presented at the Annual General Convention of the All-India Muslim League, a critical political declaration that outlined the demand for a separate Muslim state.
24 Mar 1940 French Destroyer La Railleuse Sunk by Accidental Torpedo Explosion: On March 24, 1940, during the early stages of World War II, the French destroyer La Railleuse suffered a catastrophic accident off the coast of Casablanca, Morocco. The vessel was unexpectedly destroyed by the accidental detonation of one of its own torpedoes, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The explosion claimed the lives of 28 crew members and left 24 others wounded, highlighting the inherent dangers of naval warfare and maritime operations during this tumultuous period.
25 Mar 1940 US Allows Military Aircraft Sales to Allies: In a significant diplomatic move during the early stages of World War II, the neutral United States permits the sale of military aircraft to Allied nations, signaling a potential shift in its non-interventionist stance. This decision marks an important moment in the lead-up to America's eventual direct involvement in the global conflict.
26 Mar 1940 Notable Births on March 26, 1940: Two significant individuals were born on this day: James Caan, a renowned actor known for his roles in 'The Godfather' and other classic films, was born in the Bronx, New York. Nancy Pelosi, who would later become the 52nd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
27 Mar 1940 Establishment of Auschwitz Concentration Camp: Heinrich Himmler, a leading Nazi official, orders the construction of the Auschwitz concentration camp near Katowice, Poland. This site would become one of the most notorious death camps of the Holocaust, where over 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, were systematically murdered during World War II.
28 Mar 1940 Anglo-French Supreme War Council Meeting in London: The Anglo-French Supreme War Council convened in London to discuss critical wartime strategies during World War II. The key decisions included a mutual commitment that neither Britain nor France would negotiate a separate peace with Nazi Germany, demonstrating their unified resistance. Additionally, they approved Operation Wilfred, a strategic plan to lay naval mines in Norwegian coastal waters. The operation was designed to provoke a German response, which would provide a diplomatic pretext for Allied military intervention in Norway.
29 Mar 1940 DUPE - Molotov's Speech to Soviet Supreme Soviet: Vyacheslav Molotov, the Soviet foreign minister, delivered a significant speech to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, providing a comprehensive review of the international political situation and discussing the ongoing Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland.
30 Mar 1940 Japan Establishes Puppet Government in Nanking: During the Sino-Japanese War, Japan declared Nanking as the capital of a new Chinese puppet government, nominally controlled by Wang Ching-wei. This strategic move was part of Japan's broader efforts to control and manipulate Chinese territories during World War II.
31 Mar 1940 World War II: Commerce Raiding: During World War II, commerce raiding was a significant naval strategy where maritime powers attempted to disrupt enemy supply lines and trade routes, causing economic and logistical challenges for opposing nations.