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Major Events of March 1970: 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 1970 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 1970: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 1970 Rhodesian White Government Declares Independence from Britain: The white minority government of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) unilaterally declares independence from the United Kingdom, escalating racial tensions and political conflict in the region.
  • 02 Mar 1970 Rhodesia Declares Independence from United Kingdom: On March 2, 1970, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) officially became an independent republic, breaking its final constitutional ties with the British Crown. Led by white Prime Minister Ian Smith, this unilateral declaration was a controversial move aimed at maintaining white minority rule and preventing the transition to black majority governance.
  • 03 Mar 1970 Roe v. Wade Lawsuit Filed: Norma McCorvey, a 22-year-old pregnant woman from Texas, filed a groundbreaking federal lawsuit under the pseudonym 'Jane Roe' with legal assistance from attorneys Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee. This legal action sought to challenge Texas abortion laws and would ultimately lead to the landmark United States Supreme Court case *Roe v. Wade*, which dramatically transformed reproductive rights in America.
  • 04 Mar 1970 Black Panthers Protest at Queens House of Detention: Approximately 5,000 protesters gathered on the Queens-borough bridge in Manhattan, staging a march to the Queens house of detention where 11 Black Panthers had been imprisoned for nearly a year. This demonstration highlighted the ongoing civil rights struggles and political tensions of the era.
  • 05 Mar 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Takes Effect: DUPE
  • 06 Mar 1970 Beatles Release 'Let It Be' in the United Kingdom: The Beatles officially release their iconic album 'Let It Be' in the United Kingdom, marking a significant moment in the band's final musical output before their eventual dissolution.
  • 07 Mar 1970 Total Solar Eclipse of 1970: A significant total solar eclipse occurred on March 7, 1970, with a magnitude of 1.0414. The eclipse was visible along the Atlantic coast region, spanning southern Mexico, portions of the United States, and the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. This rare astronomical event provided a unique opportunity for scientific observation and public fascination.
  • 08 Mar 1970 Assassination Attempt on Cyprus President Makarios III: On March 8, 1970, a dramatic assassination attempt targeted President Makarios III in Nicosia, Cyprus. A group of Greek Cypriot EOKA extremists, advocating for the island's annexation to Greece, launched a coordinated attack on the presidential helicopter. Using machine guns, they fired at the helicopter from a nearby rooftop as it was taking off from the presidential residence. Despite the intense assault, President Makarios miraculously escaped unharmed. The helicopter pilot, critically wounded by three bullets, demonstrated exceptional skill by managing to land the aircraft safely. This event highlighted the deep political tensions and nationalist sentiments in Cyprus during this period.
  • 10 Mar 1970 U.S. Military Charges Captain Ernest Medina for My Lai War Crimes: During the Vietnam War, U.S. Military formally charges Captain Ernest Medina for his role in the infamous My Lai Massacre, a significant event highlighting war crimes and military accountability.
  • 11 Mar 1970 Iraq Recognizes Kurdish Nation: The Iraqi Ba'th Party officially recognizes the Kurdish nation, marking a significant political milestone in the relationship between Iraq and its Kurdish population. This recognition came after years of conflict and tension.
  • 12 Mar 1970 Finland-Soviet Peace Agreement: Finland negotiated a peace treaty with the Soviet Union, agreeing to significant territorial concessions including ceding western Karelia and permitting a Soviet naval base on the Hanko Peninsula, effectively ending the Russo-Finnish War and demonstrating the geopolitical pressures of the era.
  • 13 Mar 1970 Digital Equipment Corp Introduces PDP-11 Minicomputer: On March 13, 1970, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) launched the PDP-11 minicomputer, a groundbreaking computing system that would significantly influence the development of microcomputer technology. The PDP-11 was known for its innovative architecture and became one of the most successful computer models in history, widely used in scientific, industrial, and academic settings.
  • 14 Mar 1970 SS Columbia Eagle Mutiny: On March 14, 1970, a dramatic maritime incident occurred when two crew members of the U.S. merchant vessel SS Columbia Eagle staged a mutiny while the ship was transporting bombs to Thailand during the Vietnam War era. The seizure of the vessel represented a significant act of protest against military logistics and the ongoing conflict.
  • 15 Mar 1970 Expo '70 World's Fair in Osaka: The 1970 World Exposition, commonly known as Expo '70, opened in Osaka, Japan. This landmark international exhibition showcased technological innovations, cultural exchanges, and global cooperation during a pivotal period of post-war economic recovery and technological advancement.
  • 16 Mar 1970 Publication of the New English Bible: The complete New English Bible is published by Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press, representing a significant milestone in biblical translation. This version incorporates the New Testament (first published in 1961) and the newly translated Old Testament, offering a modern English interpretation of the biblical text.
  • 17 Mar 1970 My Lai Massacre: US Army Charges Officers: The United States Army formally charges 14 officers with suppressing critical information related to the infamous My Lai Massacre, a significant event in the Vietnam War where US soldiers committed atrocities against Vietnamese civilians.
  • 18 Mar 1970 US Postal Workers Strike: The first mass work stoppage in the 195-year history of the US Postal Service began with a walkout of letter carriers in Brooklyn and Manhattan, demanding better wages. Ultimately, 210,000 postal employees in 30 cities participated in this wildcat strike. Mail service was virtually paralyzed in major cities like New York, Detroit, and Philadelphia, prompting President Nixon to declare a national emergency and deploy military units to post offices. The strike concluded after one week, representing a significant moment in labor relations.
  • 19 Mar 1970 Historic Meeting Between West and East German Leaders: West German Chancellor Willy Brandt and East German Premier Willi Stoph meet in a significant diplomatic encounter during the Cold War era, representing a rare direct interaction between leaders of the divided Germany.
  • 20 Mar 1970 Nixon Signs Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act: President Richard Nixon signed the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act, which banned television advertisements for cigarettes in the United States, effective January 1, 1971. This landmark legislation was a crucial step in public health awareness and tobacco regulation.
  • 21 Mar 1970 First Earth Day Proclamation Issued: San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto issues the first Earth Day proclamation, signaling growing environmental awareness and the emerging global movement to protect the planet.
  • 22 Mar 1970 Chicano Park Establishment Begins: Chicano residents in San Diego, California, engage in a significant act of cultural and political activism by occupying a site under the Coronado Bridge, which ultimately leads to the creation of Chicano Park, a landmark of Chicano cultural heritage and community empowerment.
  • 23 Mar 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Takes Effect: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty officially went into effect after being ratified by 47 nations, marking a significant milestone in global nuclear arms control and international diplomacy.
  • 24 Mar 1970 Provocative Protest by Rubin and Hoffman: Prominent anti-war activists Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman staged a symbolic silent protest during a news conference in New York, sitting bound and gagged to draw attention to their political message and critique of mainstream media.
  • 25 Mar 1970 Concorde's Historic First Supersonic Flight: The Concorde, a groundbreaking Franco-British supersonic passenger airliner, completed its inaugural supersonic flight, achieving a remarkable speed of 700 miles per hour (1,127 kilometers per hour). This technological marvel represented a significant milestone in aviation history, demonstrating humanity's ability to dramatically reduce intercontinental travel times.
  • 26 Mar 1970 US Nuclear Testing Milestone: The United States announced its 500th nuclear explosion since 1945, marking a significant milestone in Cold War-era nuclear weapons development and testing.
  • 27 Mar 1970 Ringo Starr Releases First Solo Album: Ringo Starr, the legendary Beatles drummer, released his debut solo album 'Sentimental Journey', featuring a collection of pre-rock standards that showcased his musical versatility beyond his work with the iconic band.
  • 28 Mar 1970 Devastating Gediz Earthquake in Turkey: On March 28, 1970, a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Gediz-Emet area of Kutahya Province in western Turkey, causing widespread destruction. The seismic event resulted in over 1,000 fatalities and severely damaged more than 12,000 houses. Over 50 percent of buildings in 53 villages were destroyed or critically damaged. Strong aftershocks compounded the initial devastation, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
  • 29 Mar 1970 North Vietnamese Army Invades Eastern Cambodia: Eleven days after the overthrow of Prince Sihanouk, North Vietnamese Army forces launched an invasion of eastern Cambodia, supporting the Cambodian government during a period of significant regional political instability.
  • 30 Mar 1970 Heinrich Brüning: Weimar Republic Chancellor: Heinrich Brüning, a prominent German politician and member of the Catholic Centre Party, was noted for his time as chancellor of the Weimar Republic from 1930 to 1932. After leaving Germany, he taught political science at Harvard University from 1937 to 1952, contributing to academic understanding of European political history.
  • 31 Mar 1970 Japanese Red Army Hijacking Incident: Eight terrorists from the Japanese Red Army conducted a dramatic hijacking of a Japan Airlines Boeing 727 at Tokyo International Airport, using samurai swords and carrying a bomb. This incident highlighted the volatile political climate and terrorist activities of the era.