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Major Events of March 2021: 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 2021 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 2021: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 2021 Nicholas Sarkozy Convicted of Judicial Corruption: Former French President Nicholas Sarkozy was found guilty of attempting to bribe a senior magistrate and influence a judicial investigation. The court sentenced him to three years in prison, with two years suspended, marking a significant legal setback for the prominent political figure. This conviction stemmed from allegations that Sarkozy sought to illegally obtain confidential information about a legal case against him through improper communication with a judge.
  • 02 Mar 2021 Targeted Killing of Female Media Workers in Afghanistan: In a tragic incident in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, three female media workers were fatally shot, with a fourth journalist sustaining injuries. This attack highlighted the ongoing risks faced by women in media and journalism in regions with high levels of gender-based violence and political instability.
  • 03 Mar 2021 Sarah Everard Murder Shocks United Kingdom: On March 3, 2021, details emerged about the horrific kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving London police officer, Wayne Couzens, who had falsely arrested her. This tragic event sparked nationwide protests and discussions about women's safety and police misconduct.
  • 04 Mar 2021 US Capitol Police Seek Extended National Guard Presence: In response to potential security threats, the United States Capitol Police have requested the National Guard maintain a continuous presence at the Capitol for 60 days, reflecting ongoing concerns about potential political violence following the January 6th insurrection.
  • 05 Mar 2021 Pope Francis Visits Iraq: Pope Francis embarked on a historic and unprecedented apostolic journey to Iraq, becoming the first pontiff to visit the country. This significant diplomatic and religious mission took place during the challenging context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, symbolizing hope and reconciliation in a region long marked by conflict and religious tensions.
  • 06 Mar 2021 Historic Meeting Between Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq: During his groundbreaking first visit to Iraq, Pope Francis met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the revered Shiite cleric's home in Najaf. This unprecedented encounter symbolized a significant moment of interfaith dialogue and mutual respect between the Catholic Church and Shia Islam, highlighting efforts to promote peace and understanding in a region historically marked by religious tensions.
  • 07 Mar 2021 Oprah Interviews Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: In a groundbreaking interview, Oprah Winfrey spoke with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who alleged experiencing significant emotional distress, including suicidal thoughts and racist treatment within the British Royal Family.
  • 08 Mar 2021 Derek Chauvin Trial Begins: The landmark trial of former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin commenced in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This was the first time a Minnesota judge authorized cameras to broadcast a full criminal trial, bringing unprecedented transparency to the high-profile case involving the killing of George Floyd.
  • 09 Mar 2021 Uneventful Day in Global History: On March 9, 2021, no major historical events were recorded in the primary research sources. While this might appear unremarkable, such days are part of the continuous fabric of human experience, representing periods of relative stability and routine global activities.
  • 10 Mar 2021 Mario Day Celebration: Mario Day is an annual holiday celebrated on March 10th (MAR-10), which playfully references the name of Nintendo's iconic video game character, Mario. The day is particularly popular among gaming enthusiasts who share memes, play Mario games, and celebrate the character's cultural impact.
  • 11 Mar 2021 COVID-19 Pandemic One-Year Anniversary: The World Health Organization marks one year since declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, reflecting on the unprecedented global health crisis that transformed societies worldwide.
  • 12 Mar 2021 No Notable Historical Events: On March 12, 2021, no significant or documented historical events were recorded across global sources. This appears to be a relatively uneventful day in terms of major world occurrences.
  • 13 Mar 2021 Global COVID-19 Vaccination and Variant Developments: Multiple countries made significant strides in their COVID-19 response: Mongolia reported a record 169 new cases, the Philippines detected its first Lineage P.1 variant case, while Ethiopia and Tunisia launched vaccination campaigns using Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines respectively.
  • 14 Mar 2021 Hlaingthaya Massacre in Myanmar: On March 14, 2021, Burmese security forces conducted a brutal crackdown in the Hlaingthaya township, killing at least 65 civilians during the ongoing political unrest following the military coup. This event represents one of the deadliest single-day massacres during the Myanmar military's violent suppression of pro-democracy protests.
  • 15 Mar 2021 Deb Haaland Becomes First Native American Cabinet Secretary: The United States Senate confirmed Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior, marking a historic moment as she became the first Native American to lead a cabinet-level agency in U.S. history.
  • 16 Mar 2021 Atlanta Spa Shootings: Eight people were killed and one injured in a series of shootings at spas in and near Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. The tragic incident highlighted ongoing concerns about hate crimes and racial violence against Asian Americans. A suspect was arrested the same day, drawing national attention to issues of racism and gun violence.
  • 17 Mar 2021 Deadly Military Post Attack in Mali: A devastating attack on a military post in Gao, Mali resulted in the tragic loss of at least 33 soldiers' lives, with an additional 14 soldiers wounded, highlighting ongoing regional security challenges.
  • 18 Mar 2021 Derek Chauvin Trial Jury Selection Continues: A judge dismissed two jurors from the high-profile trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was accused of murdering George Floyd, a case that sparked nationwide protests against racial injustice.
  • 19 Mar 2021 National Outcry Against Anti-Asian Violence: Following tragic spa shootings in Atlanta, lawmakers and activists strongly condemned rising anti-Asian hate crimes and violence, highlighting growing social tensions and racial discrimination concerns.
  • 20 Mar 2021 Tokyo Olympics Spectator Ban: Japanese Olympic organizers officially announced that overseas spectators would be prohibited from attending the Tokyo Summer Olympics due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns, marking an unprecedented decision in modern Olympic history.
  • 21 Mar 2021 Nationwide Protests Against Anti-Asian Violence in the United States: Following the tragic Atlanta mass shooting that killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, massive crowds rallied at the Georgia state capitol and across the United States to protest rising anti-Asian violence and racism.
  • 22 Mar 2021 Capitol Attack Investigation Developments: Prosecutors investigating the January 6th Capitol riot indicated that evidence was 'trending' toward potential sedition charges against participants, signaling a serious approach to prosecuting the insurrection.
  • 23 Mar 2021 Ever Given Container Ship Blocks Suez Canal: On March 23, 2021, the massive container ship Ever Given, measuring 400 meters long, ran aground and became wedged sideways in the Suez Canal, completely obstructing this critical global shipping route. The incident caused significant disruption to international maritime trade, blocking hundreds of vessels and causing substantial economic impact for six days until the ship was successfully refloated.
  • 24 Mar 2021 Myanmar Security Forces Kill 38 Protesters During Anti-Coup Demonstrations: On March 24, 2021, security forces in Myanmar violently suppressed anti-coup protests, resulting in the deaths of 38 civilians. This tragic event highlighted the brutal crackdown by the military junta against pro-democracy demonstrators following the February 1st military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government.
  • 25 Mar 2021 Georgia Voting Law Controversy: The Republican-led Georgia State Senate passed controversial voting legislation that sparked significant national debate. President Joe Biden strongly criticized the new voting restrictions, characterizing them as reminiscent of 'Jim Crow' era voter suppression tactics and describing the changes as 'a blatant attack on the Constitution'. The legislation raised concerns about potential limitations on voter access and electoral participation.
  • 26 Mar 2021 US Navy Assists in Suez Canal Blockage Resolution: The Suez Canal Authority accepted an offer from the United States Navy to deploy a dredging expert assessment team to help remove the stranded Ultra Large Container Vessel *Ever Given*. The ship had blocked the critical maritime route for four consecutive days, causing significant global trade disruptions.
  • 27 Mar 2021 Deadly Protests Continue in Myanmar: In a tragic escalation of civil unrest, at least 64 protesters were reportedly killed during demonstrations against the military coup in Myanmar. The high death toll underscores the intense political tension and human rights concerns in the country.
  • 28 Mar 2021 Turkmenistan Assembly Election: The Assembly of Turkmenistan held its national parliamentary elections on March 28, 2021. This election was part of the country's political process, taking place in a nation known for its highly controlled political environment. The election was conducted under the supervision of the country's authoritarian government, with limited political pluralism and competition.
  • 29 Mar 2021 US Suspends Trade Engagement with Myanmar: In response to escalating military violence against anti-coup protesters, the United States suspended its diplomatic trade engagement aimed at integrating Myanmar into the global economy. This action signifies international condemnation of the military's actions.
  • 30 Mar 2021 COVID-19 Vaccines Prove Highly Effective: Clinical data confirmed the remarkable efficacy of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines in preventing infections, providing crucial hope in the global fight against the pandemic.
  • 31 Mar 2021 France Implements New COVID-19 Lockdown: French President Emmanuel Macron announced a comprehensive national pandemic lockdown, which included closing schools for three weeks and implementing strict new restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19.