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Major Events of March 1975: 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 1975 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 1975: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 1975 Charlie Chaplin Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II: Legendary silent film actor and comedy pioneer Charlie Chaplin is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing his immense contributions to cinema and global entertainment.
  • 02 Mar 1975 Shah of Iran Establishes One-Party State: Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran abolished all existing political parties and declared the kingdom a one-party state, establishing the 'Rastakhiz (Resurgence) Party' under the leadership of Prime Minister Amir-Abbas Hoveyda. This move effectively eliminated political opposition and consolidated the Shah's authoritarian control over Iran's political landscape.
  • 03 Mar 1975 Charlie Chaplin Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II: Legendary comedy actor Charlie Chaplin was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing his immense contributions to cinema and entertainment.
  • 04 Mar 1975 Peter Lorenz Kidnapping Resolution: Peter Lorenz, the Christian Democratic Union's candidate for Mayor of West Berlin, was successfully released after a complex negotiation where the West German government freed five guerillas, provided them cash, and arranged their transportation to Aden, South Yemen.
  • 05 Mar 1975 First Meeting of the Homebrew Computer Club: The Homebrew Computer Club, a pioneering computer hobbyist group in Silicon Valley, convened its inaugural meeting. This gathering was significant in the early personal computing era, bringing together innovative technology enthusiasts who would later become instrumental in shaping the digital revolution. Notable attendees included future tech entrepreneurs who would go on to found influential companies like Apple Inc.
  • 06 Mar 1975 Zapruder Film Publicly Screened: For the first time in history, the infamous Zapruder film documenting President John F. Kennedy's assassination was shown in motion to a national television audience. Researchers Robert J. Groden and Dick Gregory presented the historic footage, which had previously been kept largely private and was crucial to understanding the events of November 22, 1963.
  • 07 Mar 1975 Lesley Whittle Murder Case Discovery: The body of teenage heiress Lesley Whittle was discovered in Staffordshire, England, seven weeks after her kidnapping by the notorious serial killer known as the 'Black Panther', marking a tragic conclusion to a high-profile criminal case.
  • 08 Mar 1975 United Nations Proclaims International Women's Day: The United Nations officially proclaimed International Women's Day, marking a significant milestone in global recognition of women's rights and contributions to society.
  • 09 Mar 1975 North Vietnamese Attack on Ban Me Thuot: During the final stages of the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese troops launch a strategic offensive by attacking Ban Me Thuot in South Vietnam, a significant move in their campaign to capture Saigon and reunify the country.
  • 10 Mar 1975 James Earl Ray Pleads Guilty to MLK Assassination: James Earl Ray formally pleaded guilty to the murder of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., receiving a 99-year prison sentence for this significant act of violence that shocked the nation.
  • 11 Mar 1975 Failed Portuguese Military Coup: A military coup attempt led by General Spinola against the Portuguese government was unsuccessful, highlighting the political instability in Portugal following the Carnation Revolution of 1974.
  • 12 Mar 1975 Vietcong conquer Ban me Thuot, South Vietnam.
  • 13 Mar 1975 Vietnam War: Central Highlands Evacuation: South Vietnam President Nguyen Van Thieu orders the evacuation of the Central Highlands, triggering a massive and tragic exodus known as the 'Convoy of Tears'. This event marked a critical turning point in the Vietnam War, with troops and civilians fleeing in desperation as North Vietnamese forces advanced.
  • 14 Mar 1975 Death of Susan Hayward: Susan Hayward, a renowned American film actress who won an Academy Award for Best Actress, passed away from brain cancer at the age of 57. Known for her powerful performances in films like 'I Want to Live!' and 'I'll Cry Tomorrow', Hayward was a significant Hollywood star of the mid-20th century.
  • 15 Mar 1975 Julie Cunningham Disappearance: Julie Cunningham, a young woman, was abducted by serial killer Ted Bundy in Vail, Colorado. Her disappearance was part of Bundy's horrific series of murders that terrorized multiple states during the 1970s. Cunningham was never seen again, becoming another tragic victim of one of America's most notorious serial killers.
  • 16 Mar 1975 Mariner 10 Final Mercury Flyby: The US Mariner 10 spacecraft completed its third and final fly-by of the planet Mercury, marking a significant milestone in early planetary exploration. This mission provided unprecedented close-up images and scientific data about Mercury's surface and environment.
  • 17 Mar 1975 South Vietnamese Forces Retreat in Vietnam War: In a significant turning point of the Vietnam War, South Vietnamese forces withdrew from three provinces, effectively surrendering strategic territory to North Vietnamese troops who substantially outnumbered them. This retreat effectively disrupted South Vietnamese supply routes and signaled a critical moment in the conflict's final stages.
  • 18 Mar 1975 Assassination of Herbert Chitepo: Herbert Chitepo, the 51-year-old leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), was assassinated by a bomb explosion, marking a significant moment in Zimbabwe's struggle for independence. This event likely had profound implications for the liberation movement and political landscape of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
  • 19 Mar 1975 Pennsylvania Breaks Gender Barrier in High School Sports: Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to legally allow girls to compete alongside boys in high school sports, marking a significant milestone in gender equality in athletics. This groundbreaking policy opened doors for female athletes to challenge traditional gender segregation in scholastic sports competitions.
  • 21 Mar 1975 Ethiopia Ends Monarchy: On March 21, 1975, Ethiopia officially abolished its monarchy, bringing an end to a royal lineage that had lasted for over 3,000 years. This historic event marked a significant political transformation, with the last Emperor Haile Selassie being deposed by the Derg military regime, fundamentally changing Ethiopia's system of governance.
  • 22 Mar 1975 Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant Fire: A significant fire occurred at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant in Decatur, Alabama, causing a dangerous reduction in cooling water levels. This incident raised serious concerns about nuclear safety and potential reactor meltdown risks.
  • 23 Mar 1975 Alydar: Legendary American Racehorse: Alydar was a renowned American Thoroughbred racehorse, famous for his intense rivalry with Affirmed during the late 1970s. Born in 1975, he became one of the most celebrated racehorses of his era, particularly known for his exceptional performances in the Triple Crown races. Though he never won the Triple Crown, he was a formidable competitor who finished second to Affirmed in all three races in 1978.
  • 24 Mar 1975 Muhammad Ali Defeats Chuck Wepner in Heavyweight Championship: In a dramatic 15-round heavyweight boxing match, Muhammad Ali successfully defended his world title by technically knocking out (TKO) Chuck Wepner in Cleveland. This fight was notable for Wepner's unexpected resilience against the legendary Ali, inspiring the storyline for the movie 'Rocky'.
  • 25 Mar 1975 Assassination of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia: King Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz, the monarch of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975, was shot to death by his nephew Prince Faisal bin Musaid at the age of 68. The assassination occurred during a royal audience in the capital, Riyadh, marking a significant moment of internal royal conflict and political instability.
  • 26 Mar 1975 Biological Weapons Convention Enters into Force: The international treaty banning the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons officially comes into effect, marking a significant milestone in global arms control and disarmament efforts.
  • 27 Mar 1975 Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Construction Begins: The massive engineering project to construct the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System commenced, a critical infrastructure development designed to transport oil from the North Slope of Alaska to the ice-free port of Valdez. This 800-mile pipeline would become a crucial component of United States energy infrastructure, spanning challenging Arctic terrain and representing a significant milestone in domestic oil production.
  • 28 Mar 1975 John Wooden's Final NCAA Championship: In his legendary coaching career's final game, John Wooden led UCLA to its 10th national championship in 12 seasons, defeating Kentucky 92-85 in San Diego, California, cementing his status as a basketball coaching icon.
  • 29 Mar 1975 North Vietnamese Army Enters Da Nang: The North Vietnamese army made its way into Da Nang, marking a significant milestone in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign leading to the ultimate victory of the resistance war against the aggressors and the reunification of Vietnam.
  • 30 Mar 1975 Ruppert Family Mass Murder: On Easter Sunday, March 30, 1975, James Ruppert committed a horrific mass killing, murdering his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and eight children in a devastating family tragedy. The victims ranged in age from 2 to 13 years old, making this one of the most shocking familial homicides of the decade.
  • 31 Mar 1975 UCLA's Historic NCAA Basketball Championship: On March 31, 1975, UCLA won its 10th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in 12 years, defeating Kentucky 92-55 in legendary coach John Wooden's final game. This remarkable victory solidified UCLA's dominance in college basketball during the 1960s and early 1970s, with Wooden establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in sports history.