March 2: The special court trial against Martin Niemöller ends in Germany. He is cleared of the most serious charge against him, that of treason against the state, but is convicted of "endangering public security, exploiting the pulpit and incitement to resistance against the government". Niemöller is freed on time served but the Gestapo immediately took him back into "protective custody".

March 5: Bock beer is banned in Nazi Germany due to lack of barley. An exception is made for export purposes to obtain foreign currencies.

March 10: Hitler orders his generals to prepare for an invasion of Austria. No such military plans exist and the General Staff scramble to draw some up.

March 12: Anschluss: The German army crosses the Austrian border at 8:00 a.m.; Hitler's convoy arrives later that day. Arrests of thousands of potential opponents of the Nazis begins.

March 13: The new Austrian Chancellor Arthur Seyss-Inquart proclaimes the Anschluss annexing the country to Germany. President Wilhelm Miklas refuses to sign the document and resigns.

March 14: Hitler rides into Vienna triumphantly.

March 17: Rudolf Nureyev world famous ballet dancer is born near Irkutsk, USSR.

March 20: Thousands of demonstrators march in London to protest the Bombing of Barcelona and the Chamberlain government's refusal to allow arms to the Republicans.

March 26: The Japanese government passes the National Mobilization Bill, giving the state dictatorial powers over the economy.(source: Wikipedia)