Important Events From This day in History – 12 March

Today in History

• 1967 Suharto rises to power in Indonesia

  His presidency, which lasted 31 years, was overshadowed by crass human rights violations and the occupation of East Timor.

• 1947 The Truman doctrine is proclaimed

  President Harry S. Truman defined his foreign policy priorities in a speech to Congress, including military and economic assistance to Turkey and Greece to prevent the spread of communism.

• 1938 Hitler invades Austria

  The occupation of Hitler’s homeland is known as Anschluss, which is the German word for annexation.

• 1930 Mahatma Gandhi embarks on his Salt March

  The 240-mile march was an act of civil disobedience intended to protest the British salt monopoly. It was one of the pivotal moments in the Indian independence movement.

• 1918 Moscow becomes Russia’s capital city

  Following the Revolution of 1917, which demolished the Tsarist autocracy, St. Petersburg lost its status as the Russian capital.