Historical events from March 1924

The month of March has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in March 1924.

For the first time since 1636, public vehicles, such as taxi cabs, are allowed into Hyde Park in London beginning March 1. For nearly 300 years, the park had been reserved for private carriages.

On March 3, the Turkish National Assembly formally ends the Ottoman Caliphate, which had operated for more than 400 years. In a corresponding move, Abdulmejid II, who was elected Caliph in November 1923, is formally deposed at 2 a.m. on March 4.

The University of North Carolina men’s basketball team ends its season with a 26-18 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide on March 4. The Tar Heels’ victory secures a perfect 26-0 record for the season.

The site of Tutankamun’s tomb is formally opened by Egyptian Prime Minister Saad Zaghloul on March 6. The opening attracts a large crowd and ultimately turns into an anti-British demonstration upon the arrival of the British High Commissioner, Field Marshal Allenby.

Nikola Tesla announces he has perfected a system of transmitting power without wires on March 8.

The United States Supreme court issues a ruling on March 10 that upholds a New York state statute banning late-night working for women.

On March 11, cabaret singer Belva Gaertner is arrested for the murder of her lover, Walter Law, in Chicago. Law was found dead from a bullet wound in Gaertner’s car, though Gaertner is later acquitted of the murder. The incident inspires both the 1926 Broadway play “Chicago” and the 1975 musical of the same name.

The opening session of the first-ever Egyptian constitutional parliament is opened by King Fuad I on March 15.

Winston Churchill loses the Westminster Abbey by-election by 43 votes to Otho Nicholson on March 19. The results come when Churchill requests a recount after initially losing by just 33 votes.

The Eugenical Sterilization Act goes into effect in Virginia on March 20. The act provides for the sterilization of individuals in mental institutions.

Edward G. Leffler introduces the first modern mutual fund on March 21. The Massachusetts Investors Trust allows investors to withdraw their account money at any time.

Benito Mussolini presides over a Fascist parade in Rome on March 23. Mussolini uses his speech as a chance to campaign for the coming general election.

The Greek Parliament votes to depose King George II on March 25. A public referendum for the issue is set for April 13.

United States Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty resigns over the Teapot Dome Scandal on March 28. The Teapot Dome Scandal was a bribery scandal that enveloped the administration of U.S. President Warren G. Harding, and since 1924 has often been cited when new issues affecting the office of the president, such as Watergate, have surfaced.