What Happened in March 1896

Historical Events

Battle of Adwa

Mar 1 Battle of Adwa: 80,000 Ethiopians destroy 20,000 Italians in Ethopia, killing two generals and capturing General Matteo Albertone

Radioactivity Discovered

Mar 1 Henri Becquerel discovers radioactivity

Best 9-Wicket Haul

Mar 2 Best 9-wicket haul in cricket history; George Lohmann takes 9-28 as England beats South Africa by an innings and 197 runs in 2nd Test at Johannesburg

  • Mar 5 Italian governor of Eritrea, General Baldissera, reaches Massawa
  • Mar 5 Italian premier Francesco Crispi resigns
  • Mar 6 1st auto in Detroit, Charles B King rides his "Horseless Carriage"

The Grand Duke

Mar 7 W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's 14th and final comic opera together "The Grand Duke" premieres at the Savoy Theatre, London

  • Mar 8 Volunteers of America forms (NYC)
  • Mar 10 Bronx acquires O'Brien Square
  • Mar 12 1st movie in Netherlands (Kalverstr 220)
  • Mar 14 Sutro Baths in San Francisco opens by Cliff House (closed Sept 1, 1952)

Songs of a Wayfarer

Mar 16 Gustav Mahler conducts premiere of his "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" (Songs of a Wayfarer), leading the Berlin Philharmonic and Dutch baritone Anton Sistermans as soloist

  • Mar 20 Marines land in Nicaragua to protect US citizens
  • Mar 20 Uprising in Matabeleland
  • Mar 22 Charilaos Vasilakos of Greece wins 1st modern marathon in 3:18 at the Panhellenic Games
  • Mar 23 The Raines Law is passed by the New York State Legislature, restricting Sunday sale of alcohol to hotels
  • Mar 27 58th Grand National: Former owner David Campbell wins aboard 40/1 outsider The Soarer
  • Mar 28 Umberto Giordano's opera "Andrea Chenier" premieres at La Scala, Milan with Giuseppe Borgatti singing the title role; libretto by Luigi Illica
1896 History

Famous Birthdays

  • Mar 1 Dimitri Mitropoulos, Greek-American pianist, conductor (Minneapolis Symphony, 1937-49; New York Philharmonic, 1949-58), and composer, born in Athens, Greece (d. 1960)
  • Mar 1 Moriz Seeler, German writer and producer (d. 1942)
  • Mar 2 Clair Bee, American College Basketball and Basketball Hall of Fame coach (Long Island University undefeated 1936, 39; National Invitation Tournament 1939, 41), born in Grafton, West Virginia (d. 1983)
  • Mar 4 Rhys Gemmell, Australian tennis player (Australasian C'ships singles & doubles 1921), born in Melbourne, Victoria (d. 1972)
  • Mar 7 Erwin Bodky, German-American composer, born in Ragnit, East Prussia (d. 1958)
  • Mar 8 Charlotte Whitton, Canadian politician, Mayor of Ottawa (1951-56), born in Renfrew, Ontario (d. 1975)
  • Mar 10 Harry Krimer, French actor (Napoleon, Les vagabonds magnifiques, La course du flambeau), born in Paris, France (d. 1991)
  • Mar 10 Nancy Cunard, British writer and activist, born in London (d. 1965)
  • Mar 10 Sherman Billingsley, American bootlegger and nightclub owner (Stock Club- NYC), born in Enid, Oklahoma Territory (d. 1966)
  • Mar 12 Jesse Fuller, American one-man blues band ("San Francisco Bay Blues"), born in Jonesboro, Georgia (d. 1979)
  • Mar 13 Dorothy Aldis, American children's writer, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1966)
  • Mar 20 Hal Walker, director (I Married Joan), born in Ottumwa, Iowa (d. 1972)
  • Mar 20 Sam Wren, American actor (Marked Woman, The Old Grey Mayor), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1962)
  • Mar 22 He Long, Chinese Communist revolutionary, marshal of the People's Liberation Army, born in Sangzhi, Hunan, China (d. 1969)
  • Mar 22 Joseph Schildkraut, Austrian actor (Cleopatra, Joseph Schildkraut Presents, Diary of Anne Frank), born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1964)
  • Mar 24 Gianna Manzini, Italian writer (Ritratto in piedi), born in Pistoia, Italy (d. 1974)
  • Mar 26 Richard Flury, Swiss composer, born in Biberist, Switzerland (d. 1967)
  • Mar 26 Rudolf Dassler, German entrepreneur (founder sportswear company Puma), born in Herzogenaurach, Germany (d. 1974)
Born in 1896

Famous Weddings

Joseph Conrad

Mar 24 Writer "Heart of Darkness" Joseph Conrad (39) marries Englishwoman Jessie George (23)

Famous Deaths

  • Mar 1 Giuseppe Arimondi, Italian general who fought in the Italo-Ethiopian War, dies in the Battle of Adwa at 49
  • Mar 1 Vittorio Dabormida, Italian general who fought in the Italo-Ethiopian War, dies in the Battle of Adwa at 53
  • Mar 15 Isaac Shadd, American-Canadian newspaper publisher (The Provincial Freeman), and politician (Mississippi House of Representatives, 1871-76), dies at 66 or 67
  • Mar 22 Thomas Hughes, English politician and author (Tom Brown's School days), dies at 73
  • Mar 28 E Rundle Charles, writer, dies
  • Mar 30 Charilaos Trikoupis, Greek politician (Prime Minister of Greece for 7 times from 1875-1895), dies at 63