Major Events of March 1938: 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 1938 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1938: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Mar 1938 Yosemite TWA Crash: On March 1, 1938, a TWA aircraft crashed in Yosemite National Park, California.
- 02 Mar 1938 Great Purge Trials in Soviet Union: On March 2, 1938, the Soviet Union conducted the third of its public show trials during the Great Purge, known as the Trial of the Twenty-One. Prominent Bolsheviks, including Nikolai Bukharin and Alexei Rykov, were accused of espionage and treason, leading to their convictions and executions. These trials were part of a broader campaign by Joseph Stalin to eliminate political rivals and consolidate power. source: britannica.com
- 03 Mar 1938 Glenn Cunningham sets indoor mile record: On March 3, 1938, American middle-distance runner Glenn Cunningham set an unofficial indoor mile world record by completing the distance in 4 minutes, 4.4 seconds. This performance was achieved on a track with banked curves, which led officials to discount the record. However, Cunningham's time stood as the fastest indoor mile until 1955. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 04 Mar 1938 Birth of Paula Prentiss, actress: Paula Prentiss, an American actress known for her roles in films such as 'Where the Boys Are' (1960) and 'The Stepford Wives' (1975), was born on March 4, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 12 Mar 1938 Anschluss: Nazi Germany annexes Austria: On March 12, 1938, German troops entered Austria unopposed, leading to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, known as the Anschluss. source: britannica.com
- 13 Mar 1938 Anschluss: Austria unified with Nazi Germany: On March 13, 1938, Austria was officially unified with Nazi Germany following the German invasion on March 12. The annexation, known as the Anschluss, was proclaimed the following day, ending Austria's independence. source: history.com
- 14 Mar 1938 Nazi annexation of Austria: On March 14, 1938, Austria was officially annexed into Nazi Germany following the German invasion on March 12. The annexation, known as the Anschluss, was proclaimed the following day, ending Austria's independence. source: history.com
- 15 Mar 1938 Execution of Nikolai Bukharin: Nikolai Bukharin, a prominent Soviet politician and economist, was executed on March 15, 1938, during the Great Purge under Joseph Stalin's regime. source: britannica.com
- 16 Mar 1938 Temple University wins first National Invitation Tournament: On March 16, 1938, Temple University defeated the University of Colorado 60–36 in New York City to become the inaugural champions of the National Invitation Tournament. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 Mar 1938 Austrian Anschluss referendum: On March 17, 1938, a referendum was held in Austria, leading to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, known as the Anschluss. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 18 Mar 1938 Mexico nationalizes oil industry - Creation of Pemex: On March 18, 1938, Mexico nationalized its oil industry, leading to the creation of Pemex. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Mar 1938 Scotland triumphs in Rugby Championship: On March 19, 1938, Scotland won the Rugby Championship. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 Mar 1938 Czechoslovakia prepares for potential German invasion: In March 1938, Czechoslovakia faced escalating tensions with Nazi Germany, leading to military mobilization and diplomatic efforts to secure support from France and Britain. source: history.com
- 21 Mar 1938 Luigi Tenco birth: Luigi Tenco, an Italian singer-songwriter, was born in Cassine, Italy. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Mar 1938 Chamberlain seeks union support for war preparation: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain sought support from trade unions to prepare for potential war, emphasizing the need for national unity. source: historyplace.com
- 24 Mar 1938 French diplomatic support for Czechoslovakia: On March 24, 1938, French Foreign Minister Paul-Boncour reiterated France's commitment to assist Czechoslovakia in the event of German aggression. He emphasized that France would fulfill its obligations to Czechoslovakia, highlighting the importance of this support for European security. source: history.state.gov
- 30 Mar 1938 Mussolini granted equal military power in Italy: On March 30, 1938, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was granted equal military power, consolidating his control over the Italian armed forces. This move was part of Mussolini's broader strategy to strengthen his regime and assert Italy's military ambitions in Europe. source: britannica.com
- 31 Mar 1938 Sheila Dikshit birth: Sheila Dikshit, a prominent Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Delhi, was born on March 31, 1938. Her political career spanned several decades, during which she played a significant role in the development of Delhi and women's empowerment in India. source: bbc.com