Historical Events in March || Listed by Year

March has repeatedly marked turning points in history. Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon set a Roman civil war in motion. Power struggles reshaped medieval England as battles shifted crowns and dynasties. Emperor Charles V issued the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther a heretic and setting the course of the Protestant Reformation. Again and again, March shows how ambition, belief, and authority redefine nations.

Modern history continues that pattern. Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as the 32nd U.S. president, declaring, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” World War II came to an end. Alcatraz Federal Prison closed its doors. Pioneer 10 launched toward Jupiter, opening a new era of space exploration. The month also witnessed Mikhail Gorbachev’s rise as the Soviet Union’s first president, Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, and the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Explore historical events throughout March by browsing the full month timeline, or jump to a specific date to see what happened on this day in history—from March 1 through March 31. Use the timeline to research individual years or trace the moments that shaped March’s place in history.