previous year1999
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
2010next year

Major Events of March 2008: 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 2008 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of March 2008: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 2008 Intense Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza Strip: On March 1st, 2008, the Gaza Strip experienced the most intense Israeli air strikes since 2005, resulting in at least 52 Palestinian casualties and two Israeli soldiers killed. This event highlighted the ongoing tensions and violent conflict between Israel and Palestinian territories.
  • 02 Mar 2008 Dmitry Medvedev Elected President of Russia: Dmitry Medvedev was elected President of Russia with 72 percent of the total votes, positioning himself to succeed Vladimir Putin. This election represented a carefully managed transition of power within the Russian political system.
  • 03 Mar 2008 UN Sanctions Against Iran: The United Nations Security Council voted to increase economic sanctions against Iran for its continued nuclear enrichment activities, intensifying international pressure on the country.
  • 04 Mar 2008 John McCain Secures Republican Nomination: Arizona Senator John McCain won primaries in Texas, Rhode Island, and Ohio, securing enough delegates to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee for the 2008 election.
  • 05 Mar 2008 Bush Endorses McCain for Presidential Race: President George W. Bush officially endorses John McCain as the Republican presidential nominee, signaling party unity in the 2008 United States presidential election.
  • 06 Mar 2008 Jerusalem Seminary Attack: A Palestinian attacker opened fire at a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, killing eight Israeli civilians and wounding nine others in a tragic act of violence.
  • 07 Mar 2008 Federal Reserve Emergency Lending Program: The US Federal Reserve announced a substantial emergency lending program, pledging up to US$200 billion in temporary loans to bond-market dealers and banks to stabilize financial markets during economic uncertainty.
  • 08 Mar 2008 Bush Vetoes Interrogation Techniques Bill: President George W. Bush vetoes legislation that would have prohibited interrogation methods beyond the Army Field Manual, arguing that intelligence officials require comprehensive tools to combat terrorism.
  • 09 Mar 2008 Spanish General Election: General elections were held in Spain for 350 members of the Cortes (lower house of parliament). The Socialist Party, led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, won 169 seats, while the Popular Party secured 153 seats.
  • 10 Mar 2008 Eliot Spitzer Prostitution Scandal: The New York Times reported that Governor Eliot Spitzer was implicated in a high-profile prostitution service scandal, which would ultimately lead to his resignation.
  • 11 Mar 2008 US Federal Reserve Economic Intervention: The US Federal Reserve announced a significant financial intervention, pledging to lend $200 billion monthly in Treasury bonds, using mortgage-backed securities as collateral, in response to the emerging financial crisis.
  • 12 Mar 2008 Oil prices hit a record high of US$110 per barrel
  • 13 Mar 2008 Dmitry Medvedev Elected as Russia's President: Dmitry Medvedev was elected as Russia's third President, serving from 2008 to 2012 before becoming Prime Minister, marking a significant moment in Russian political leadership.
  • 14 Mar 2008 Bear Stearns Emergency Funding: United States investment bank Bear Stearns received emergency financial support from JPMorgan Chase, backed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This event signaled early signs of the impending 2008 financial crisis and the vulnerability of major financial institutions.
  • 15 Mar 2008 China's Leadership Transition: Hu Jintao was re-elected for a second five-year term as President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Xi Jinping was simultaneously elected as Vice President, signaling a key leadership transition.
  • 16 Mar 2008 Bear Stearns Collapse and JPMorgan Acquisition: In a landmark financial event during the subprime mortgage crisis, JPMorgan Chase acquires Bear Stearns for a mere $2 per share, totaling $236 million—a dramatic fall from the bank's $200 per share value in mid-2006. The Federal Reserve supports the acquisition by offering a $30 billion loan and announcing direct lending to brokers and investment banks.
  • 17 Mar 2008 Lehman Brothers Stock Plummets: The stock market witnessed a dramatic 20 percent decline in the value of shares for American investment bank Lehman Brothers, signaling deepening financial instability during the emerging global economic crisis.
  • 18 Mar 2008 Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates: In response to economic challenges, the US Federal Reserve lowered the interest rate by 0.75 percentage points to 2.25%, signaling aggressive monetary policy to stimulate economic activity.
  • 19 Mar 2008 Cosmic Burst GRB 080319B Observed: Scientists observed GRB 080319B, an extraordinary cosmic burst that became the most distant object ever visible to the naked human eye. This astronomical event provided unprecedented insights into the early universe.
  • 20 Mar 2008 Nationwide Protests Mark Fifth Anniversary of Iraq War: Across the United States, over 200 people were arrested during demonstrations commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War. Significant protests occurred in San Francisco, where 140 protesters were jailed, and in Washington, D.C., where 32 people were arrested attempting to block an IRS entrance.
  • 21 Mar 2008 Major Earthquake in Xinjiang, China: A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the northwest region of Xinjiang province in China, accompanied by significant aftershocks of 5.1 and 5.2 magnitude within a half-hour period. The seismic event likely caused substantial geological disruption and potential infrastructure damage.
  • 22 Mar 2008 Taiwan Presidential Election: In Taiwan (Republic of China), the presidential election is held. Opposition candidate Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang party wins with nearly 17 percentage points ahead of Frank Hsieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Two referendums on joining the United Nations fail due to less than 50 percent voter turnout.
  • 23 Mar 2008 US Military Deaths in Iraq Reach 4,000: After five years of conflict in Iraq, the United States military death toll reached the somber milestone of 4,000 service members killed, highlighting the human cost of the prolonged military engagement.
  • 24 Mar 2008 Bhutan's First Democratic Election: Bhutan holds its historic first democratic election with an impressive 80 percent voter turnout from 320,000 registered voters. The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa party wins a landslide victory, securing 44 out of 47 parliamentary seats, with Jigme Thinley emerging as a key political leader in this momentous democratic transition.
  • 25 Mar 2008 Heavy Fighting in Basra, Iraq: Intense military engagement erupted in Basra as thousands of Iraqi soldiers battled Shia militants, potentially breaking a seven-month ceasefire with Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army.
  • 26 Mar 2008 Battle of Basra Escalates: Intense fighting between Shiite militias and the Iraqi military results in 40 military and 200 militia casualties, highlighting the ongoing sectarian tensions in post-invasion Iraq.
  • 27 Mar 2008 Oldest Human Voice Recording Replayed: American researchers successfully replay the oldest known human voice recording, originally made by Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville on April 9, 1861, using a phonautograph.
  • 28 Mar 2008 Violent Crackdown in Iraq: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's military operation against the Mahdi Army resulted in over 130 fatalities. The intense confrontation highlighted the ongoing sectarian tensions and political instability in post-Saddam Iraq.
  • 29 Mar 2008 Zimbabwe General Elections: Opposition Challenges Mugabe's Rule: In a significant political turning point, Zimbabwe held general elections where the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and a smaller faction successfully challenged President Robert Mugabe's long-standing Zanu-PF party. The election results showed the MDC and its allies winning a combined 109 parliamentary seats, compared to 97 for Zanu-PF. In the presidential race, Morgan Tsvangirai secured 47.9 percent of votes, while Robert Mugabe received 43.2 percent, signaling a potential shift in the country's political landscape.
  • 30 Mar 2008 Battle of Basra Ceasefire: Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for his Mahdi Army followers to cease fighting and surrender their arms during the Battle of Basra, signaling a potential de-escalation of conflict in Iraq.
  • 31 Mar 2008 Muqtada al-Sadr Orders Mahdi Army to Cease Fighting: Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his Mahdi Army to stop fighting six days after Iraqi forces attacked Sadr strongholds in Basra and Baghdad. Sadr demanded the government free imprisoned Mahdi Army members, end house raids, and assist displaced Shiites.