Roman Emperor Elagabalus is assassinated, and Alexander Severus becomes emperor.
Browse Historical Events by Month:
What Happened in March?
The first Olympic games, the founding of dynasties, and legendary battles. Explore historic milestones from March that influenced today's world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
We do our best to provide accurate information but would appreciate being notified if any incorrect information is found. You may do so by using our Feedback link.
Roman Emperor Diocletian orders the persecution of Christians.
Circa 336, March
Pope Julius I declares December 25th as the official date for the celebration of the Nativity. The decision likely aimed to align the Christian celebration with existing Roman winter solstice festivals, such as Saturnalia.
The first recorded celebration of Christmas on that date was in 336 AD. Other sources point to the Roman emperor Constantine establishing the date in 336 AD, possibly to coincide with existing pagan holidays. There is no mention of the date of Jesus' birth in the Bible. The existence of shepherds with their flocks in the fields at night suggests a time of milder weather, which points away from December. Many historians believe that Jesus was born between 7 and 2 B.C. and that December 25th was not the actual date of his birth.
Roman Emperor Julian orders the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
The Visigoths, led by Alaric, plunder Rome, marking the first time the city falls to invaders in over 800 years.
Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman Emperor, is deposed by Odoacer, marking the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
A mysterious atmospheric event causes a dense fog over Europe and the Middle East, believed to have been caused by a volcanic eruption.
Reccared I, Visigothic King of Hispania, converts to Catholicism from Arianism, leading to the conversion of the Visigothic nobility.
The Islamic prophet Muhammad’s last sermon is delivered during his Farewell Pilgrimage in Mecca.
Tariq ibn Ziyad, a Muslim commander, crosses the Strait of Gibraltar, beginning the Muslim conquest of Hispania.
Battle of Poitiers: Frankish leader Charles Martel defeats the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate, halting the Muslim advance into Western Europe.
The Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire among three grandsons of Charlemagne, marking the foundation of France, Germany, and the Middle Kingdom (Lotharingia).
King Æthelred I of Wessex dies, and his brother Alfred the Great becomes King of Wessex.
Solomon's son Rehoboam ascends to the throne of the Kingdom of Judah after Solomon's death, leading to the division of the United Monarchy.
Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem is completed.
Emperor Otto III issues a document establishing the Bishopric of Gniezno, Poland, as an archbishopric. during the Congress of Gniezno which was an amicable meeting between the Polish Duke Bolesław I the Brave and Emperor Otto III. Scholars disagree over the details of others decisions made at the convention, especially whether the ruler of Poland was pledged the king's crown or not.
Emperor Otto III of the Holy Roman Empire dies unexpectedly at the age of 22.
First known mention of Lithuania in historical chronicles.
Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, wins the Battle of Clontarf against the Vikings but dies in the battle.
Æthelred the Unready, King of England, dies and is succeeded by his son Edmund Ironside.