This day in history: 7 march

1530: King Henry VIII’s Religious Break
After the Pope denied King Henry VIII’s request for a divorce, he declared himself the supreme head of the Church of England, initiating a major religious and political shift in Britain.
1778: Captain James Cook Sights Oregon
British explorer James Cook recorded the sighting of Oregon on this date, marking one of the first European observations of this region.
1936: Germany Reoccupies the Rhineland
Adolf Hitler ordered German troops to march into the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact. This bold move marked a turning point in European geopolitics, as it emboldened Hitler’s expansionist policies and met little resistance from Britain or France.
1945: U.S. Troops Cross the Rhine at Remagen
During World War II, U.S. forces captured the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany. This allowed American troops to cross the Rhine River, providing a strategic advantage in the final stages of the war.

1876: Alexander Graham Bell Patents the Telephone
On this day, Alexander Graham Bell received a U.S. patent for his invention of the telephone. This groundbreaking invention revolutionized communication globally and laid the foundation for modern telecommunications.
1936: Hitler’s Troops Reoccupy the Rhineland
Although not directly American history, this event had global implications as Adolf Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by sending German troops into the demilitarized Rhineland. This act of aggression marked a significant step toward World War II.
1965: “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama
On March 7, 1965, over 600 civil rights activists began a march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to demand voting rights for African Americans and protest the killing of Jimmie Lee Jackson. As they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met with brutal violence from state troopers and local law enforcement, who used tear gas and nightsticks to attack the peaceful demonstrators. The event, known as “Bloody Sunday,” was widely televised and shocked the nation, galvanizing support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

1919: March First Movement in Korea
Although not directly on March 7, the March First Movement was a series of nationwide protests against Japanese colonial rule that began on March 1, 1919. It was one of the earliest and most significant demonstrations for Korean independence. The peaceful protests were met with violent suppression by Japanese authorities, leading to thousands of deaths and arrests. This movement remains a cornerstone of Korean history and its fight for sovereignty.
1971: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Historic Speech in Dhaka
On March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of Bangladesh’s independence movement, delivered a landmark speech at the Ramna Race Course (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). In this speech, Rahman called for civil disobedience and informally declared the independence of Bangladesh. He urged Bengalis to prepare for a struggle for liberty and independence, saying, “The struggle this time is a struggle for our liberty. The struggle this time is a struggle for our independence.” This speech inspired millions and was a precursor to the Bangladesh Liberation War that began later that month.

1961: Kwame Nkrumah’s Speech at the United Nations
On March 7, 1961, Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations advocating for Congo’s self-determination. This speech highlighted Africa’s broader struggle for independence and unity.
2010: Unveiling of the Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum
On this day, Ethiopia unveiled the Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa. The museum commemorates victims of the Red Terror campaign during the Ethiopian Civil War, preserving the memory of those who suffered under political violence.