Major Events of March 1933: 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 1933 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1933: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Mar 1933 US bank holiday crisis of 1933: On March 1, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a nationwide bank holiday to prevent a banking collapse during the Great Depression. This emergency measure temporarily closed all banks, allowing the government to stabilize the financial system and restore public confidence in the banking sector. source: britannica.com
- 02 Mar 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt inaugurated as U.S. president: Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd President of the United States on March 2, 1933. His presidency began during the Great Depression, and he implemented a series of programs aimed at economic recovery, known as the New Deal. source: britannica.com
- 03 Mar 1933 1933 Sanriku earthquake and tsunami: On March 3, 1933, a powerful earthquake struck the Sanriku region of Japan, triggering a tsunami that caused widespread devastation. The disaster resulted in significant loss of life and property, highlighting the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. source: britannica.com
- 04 Mar 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt outlines New Deal in inaugural address: In his inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, a series of programs aimed at addressing the Great Depression. His speech emphasized the need for government intervention to restore economic stability and public confidence. source: britannica.com
- 05 Mar 1933 Launch of the New Deal: The New Deal, a series of programs and reforms aimed at combating the Great Depression, was officially launched on March 5, 1933. This initiative marked a pivotal moment in U.S. history, as it sought to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the struggling economy. source: britannica.com
- 06 Mar 1933 FDR declares nationwide bank holiday: On March 6, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a nationwide bank holiday to prevent bank runs and stabilize the financial system. This action was part of his broader strategy to restore public confidence in the banking sector during the Great Depression. source: britannica.com
- 07 Mar 1933 Dollfuss establishes authoritarian rule in Austria: On March 7, 1933, Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss declared that the National Council had become unworkable and assumed emergency powers, effectively establishing an authoritarian regime. source: britannica.com
- 10 Mar 1933 Execution of Giuseppe Zangara: Giuseppe Zangara was executed on March 10, 1933, for the assassination attempt on President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt. His execution marked a significant moment in American history, reflecting the tensions and political climate of the time. source: history.com
- 12 Mar 1933 FDR's first fireside chat and national address: On March 12, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his first fireside chat, addressing the American public about the banking crisis. This innovative communication method helped to reassure citizens and build trust in his administration's efforts to combat the Great Depression. source: archives.gov
- 13 Mar 1933 Great Depression: bank holiday ends: The bank holiday declared by President Roosevelt ended on March 13, 1933, allowing banks to reopen under new regulations. This was a critical step in restoring confidence in the American banking system during the Great Depression. source: archives.gov
- 14 Mar 1933 Devastating Tennessee tornadoes: On March 14, 1933, a series of tornadoes struck Tennessee, causing significant destruction and loss of life. This natural disaster highlighted the vulnerability of communities to severe weather events during that era. source: weather.gov
- 15 Mar 1933 Dow Jones Industrial Average record gain: On March 15, 1933, the Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded a significant gain, reflecting renewed investor confidence following the banking reforms and Roosevelt's policies. This marked a pivotal moment in the stock market's recovery during the Great Depression. source: history.com
- 16 Mar 1933 Hitler appoints Hjalmar Schacht to Reichsbank presidency: On March 16, 1933, Adolf Hitler appointed Hjalmar Schacht as President of the Reichsbank, Germany's central bank. Schacht, a prominent economist, had previously served as Reichsbank president from 1923 to 1930 and was reappointed to stabilize Germany's economy during the early years of Nazi rule. source: britannica.com
- 17 Mar 1933 Hitler appoints Hjalmar Schacht as economic adviser: On March 17, 1933, Adolf Hitler appointed Hjalmar Schacht as his economic adviser. Schacht, a renowned economist, had previously served as President of the Reichsbank and was reappointed to stabilize Germany's economy during the early years of Nazi rule. source: britannica.com
- 20 Mar 1933 Establishment of Dachau concentration camp: Dachau, the first Nazi concentration camp, was established on March 20, 1933, near Munich, Germany. Initially intended to hold political prisoners, it later became a model for other camps and a site of horrific human rights abuses during the Holocaust. source: ushmm.org
- 21 Mar 1933 Day of Potsdam ceremony: The Day of Potsdam ceremony took place on March 21, 1933, marking the opening of the Reichstag and symbolizing the alliance between the German military and the Nazi Party. This event was used to legitimize Hitler's rise to power and consolidate his control over Germany. source: history.com
- 22 Mar 1933 Establishment of Dachau concentration camp: Dachau concentration camp was officially established on March 22, 1933, as the first Nazi camp for political prisoners. It became a central site for the imprisonment and torture of those opposed to the Nazi regime. source: ushmm.org
- 23 Mar 1933 Hitler granted dictatorial powers: On March 23, 1933, the German Reichstag passed the Enabling Act, granting Chancellor Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers. This law allowed Hitler to enact laws without the Reichstag's approval, effectively ending the Weimar Republic's democracy. source: britannica.com
- 24 Mar 1933 Global Jewish response to Nazi persecution: On March 24, 1933, Jewish communities worldwide began organizing responses to the Nazi regime's persecution of Jews in Germany. This included boycotts and protests aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing international support against anti-Semitic policies. source: ushmm.org
- 27 Mar 1933 Farm Credit Administration established: The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) was established to provide credit and financial services to farmers and rural communities. It aimed to stabilize the agricultural economy during the Great Depression by offering loans and support to farmers. source: fca.gov
- 28 Mar 1933 Armstrong Whitworth Argosy fatal crash: On March 28, 1933, an Armstrong Whitworth Argosy aircraft crashed, resulting in multiple fatalities. This incident highlighted the safety concerns surrounding early aviation and led to discussions on improving aircraft regulations. source: britannica.com
- 29 Mar 1933 First Western report on Holodomor famine-genocide: The first Western report on the Holodomor, a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine, was published, highlighting the severe conditions and widespread starvation. This report marked a significant moment in raising awareness about the famine, which resulted in millions of deaths. The Holodomor is recognized as a genocide against the Ukrainian people. source: britannica.com
- 30 Mar 1933 1933 Sanriku earthquake and tsunami: On March 30, 1933, a powerful earthquake struck the Sanriku region of Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami. The disaster resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of property, highlighting the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. This event is one of the notable natural disasters in Japanese history. source: britannica.com
- 31 Mar 1933 Hitler assumes power in Germany: Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, but by March 31, he had consolidated power, effectively establishing a totalitarian regime. This marked a pivotal moment in German history, leading to the implementation of policies that would result in World War II and the Holocaust. Hitler's rise to power fundamentally changed the political landscape of Europe. source: britannica.com