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Major Events of March 1971: 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 1971 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 1971: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 1971 Political Crisis in Pakistan: President Yahya Khan indefinitely postponed the national assembly session, a critical political action that triggered massive civil disobedience in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), which was a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the Bangladesh Liberation War.
  • 02 Mar 1971 First Flag Hoisting Day of Bangladesh: On March 2, 1971, the first flag of Bangladesh was officially hoisted by ASM Abdur Rob, the vice president of Dhaka University Students' Union. The flag, meticulously designed by Shib Narayan Das, featured a vibrant green background with a bold red circle symbolizing the rising sun of independence. This powerful moment represented a critical milestone in Bangladesh's liberation struggle, signaling the growing momentum of the independence movement against Pakistani rule.
  • 03 Mar 1971 India Enters Bangladesh Liberation War: India officially enters the Bangladesh Liberation War in support of Mukti Bahini, marking a significant geopolitical intervention to support East Pakistan's independence movement against West Pakistani forces.
  • 04 Mar 1971 Pierre Trudeau's Marriage: Pierre Elliott Trudeau marries Margaret Sinclair in St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church in Vancouver, becoming the first Canadian Prime Minister to marry while in office. Their marriage would last until their divorce in 1984, marking a notable personal milestone in Canadian political history.
  • 05 Mar 1971 Political Tensions Escalate in East Pakistan: A critical day in the lead-up to the Bangladesh Liberation War. Curfews were imposed in Rangpur, and security forces opened fire in multiple cities including Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Tongi, resulting in four laborers killed and 25 injured. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman denied rumors of power-sharing with Bhutto. Air Marshal Asghar Khan arrived in Dhaka for meetings, and Gen Tikka Khan was sworn in as Governor of East Pakistan.
  • 06 Mar 1971 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Historic Speech: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered a powerful and transformative speech at Racecourse Field in Dhaka, calling on the people of East Pakistan to prepare for their struggle for national independence, a pivotal moment in the creation of Bangladesh.
  • 07 Mar 1971 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Historic Speech: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the political leader of East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh), delivered a landmark speech at the Racecourse Field (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka. Speaking to a massive crowd of over one million people, he effectively laid the groundwork for Bangladesh's independence movement. His powerful words, 'The struggle this time, is a struggle for our liberty. The struggle this time, is a struggle for our independence,' became a rallying cry for the Bangali people, calling for civil disobedience and transforming 'every house into a fortress'.
  • 08 Mar 1971 Citizens' Commission Exposes FBI Surveillance Program: A group known as the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI conducted a groundbreaking act of whistleblowing by breaking into an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania. They stole and subsequently released documents that exposed the controversial COINTELPRO program, which had been secretly spying on U.S. citizens. This event was crucial in revealing government overreach and violations of civil liberties.
  • 09 Mar 1971 Fight of the Century: Joe Frazier Defeats Muhammad Ali: In a historic boxing match at Madison Square Garden, Joe Frazier defeated former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in what was billed as the 'Fight of the Century'. The intense 15-round bout saw Frazier knock Ali down in the final round, ultimately winning by unanimous decision on points. This fight was a pivotal moment in boxing history, representing a significant rivalry between two legendary athletes.
  • 10 Mar 1971 US Senate Approves 26th Amendment Lowering Voting Age: The United States Senate approved a constitutional amendment to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, a significant milestone in expanding democratic participation for young Americans. This amendment was largely driven by the argument that if young people could be drafted to serve in the military during the Vietnam War, they should also have the right to vote.
  • 11 Mar 1971 Nixon Campaign's Controversial Funding Decision: The Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP) approved $250,000 for 'intelligence gathering' against the Democratic Party. This pivotal decision would ultimately lead to the infamous Watergate scandal, a watershed moment in American political history that would dramatically impact U.S. politics.
  • 12 Mar 1971 Hafez Assad Becomes President of Syria: Hafez Assad is elected President of Syria, a pivotal moment in Syrian political history that would shape the country's leadership for decades to come.
  • 13 Mar 1971 The Allman Brothers Band Record Live at Fillmore East: On March 13, 1971, the legendary rock group The Allman Brothers Band recorded a historic concert at the Fillmore East in New York City, which would later be released as their iconic live album 'At Fillmore East'. This recording is considered one of the greatest live rock albums of all time, capturing the band's exceptional improvisational skills and Southern rock prowess.
  • 14 Mar 1971 South Vietnamese Troops Retreat from Laos: South Vietnamese military forces withdrew from Laos, reflecting the complex and volatile military situation during the Vietnam War era.
  • 15 Mar 1971 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Administrative Takeover in East Pakistan: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leader of the Awami League, announced his takeover of administrative affairs in East Pakistan, a pivotal moment in the region's political history that would later lead to the creation of Bangladesh.
  • 16 Mar 1971 Thomas E. Dewey Biographical Note: Thomas E. Dewey, a prominent American presidential candidate born in 1902, was remembered on this date, highlighting his significant political career.
  • 17 Mar 1971 First $1 Million State Lottery Winner in US: Edward Henry from Morristown, New Jersey, made history by becoming the first person to win a $1 million prize in a state lottery, marking a significant milestone in American gambling and public revenue generation.
  • 18 Mar 1971 Massive Tsunami and Landslide in Peru: A devastating geological event at Lake Yanahuani involved a massive rock avalanche creating a 100-foot (30-meter) high wave that destroyed a Peruvian mining camp. The rock slide, originating from a height of 1,300 feet (400 meters), resulted in hundreds of fatalities, demonstrating the immense destructive power of natural disasters.
  • 19 Mar 1971 First Resistance in Bangladesh Liberation War: On March 19, 1971, a pivotal moment in the Bangladesh Liberation War occurred when the Second Bengal battalion of the Pakistan Army, stationed at Joydevpur, confronted Brigadier Jahanzeb Arbab. The battalion's preparedness led to Brigadier Arbab's strategic withdrawal to Dhaka, marking the initial stages of resistance against Pakistani control and the beginning of Bangladesh's struggle for independence.
  • 20 Mar 1971 US Air Force Spy Drone Mission Over China: The United States Air Force conducted the fourth 'Senior Bowl' reconnaissance mission, deploying a spy drone to photograph China's sensitive Lop Nor nuclear test site. This covert aerial surveillance operation was part of Cold War-era intelligence gathering efforts to monitor nuclear capabilities and strategic developments.
  • 21 Mar 1971 White House National Security Meeting: A significant national security meeting was held in the White House Map Room, with Henry Kissinger preparing a detailed memorandum for President Nixon, discussing critical strategic matters.
  • 22 Mar 1971 Prelude to Bangladesh Liberation War: Pakistani President Yahya Khan publicly announced the outcome of negotiations with East Pakistani leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, setting the stage for the imminent Bangladesh Liberation War, which would officially commence on March 25, 1971.
  • 23 Mar 1971 Military Coup in Argentina: General Alejandro Lanusse seized power in Argentina through a military coup, marking another period of military intervention in the country's political landscape during the late 20th century.
  • 25 Mar 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War: Operation Searchlight Begins: The Pakistani Armed Forces launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal military campaign against civilians in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). This operation marked a critical turning point in the conflict, involving widespread violence, targeted killings of intellectuals, students, and civilians, particularly in Dhaka.
  • 26 Mar 1971 Bangladesh Declares Independence and Liberation War Begins: On March 26, 1971, East Pakistan officially declared its independence from Pakistan, establishing the People's Republic of Bangladesh. This momentous event marked the start of the Bangladesh Liberation War, a significant conflict that would reshape the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. The declaration came after years of political tension, cultural suppression, and economic marginalization of the Bengali population by West Pakistani authorities.
  • 27 Mar 1971 Bangladesh Independence Declaration: On March 27, 1971, Army Major Ziaur Rahman made a historic radio broadcast from the Kalurghat Radio Station in Chittagong, declaring the independence of East Pakistan (Bangladesh) on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This pivotal moment marked a critical point in the Bangladesh Liberation War, signaling the start of the country's struggle for sovereignty from Pakistan.
  • 28 Mar 1971 My Lai Massacre Trial: William Calley Convicted: U.S. Army Lieutenant William Calley was found guilty of 22 murders during the My Lai massacre in Vietnam, initially sentenced to life in prison, though he was later pardoned. This landmark case highlighted the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War and sparked significant national debate about military conduct.
  • 29 Mar 1971 My Lai Massacre Trial: William Calley Conviction: First Lieutenant William L. Calley Jr. is found guilty for his role in the horrific My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War, marking a critical moment in addressing war crimes.
  • 30 Mar 1971 Tragic Massacre at Dhaka University: On March 30, 1971, a devastating attack occurred at Dhaka University, where Pakistani military forces targeted students and faculty members. The Consulate General's report documented the killings, which were part of the systematic violence during the Bangladesh Liberation War. This tragic event symbolized the brutal suppression of Bengali intellectuals and students fighting for independence.
  • 31 Mar 1971 William Calley Sentenced for My Lai Massacre: Lieutenant William Calley is sentenced to life in prison for his role in the My Lai Massacre, a notorious war crime committed during the Vietnam War where American soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians.