Human Saga

On March 19

No pivotal events are recorded on exactly March 19 in the Human Saga — here is the surrounding week in history.

This week in history (Mar 16 – Mar 22)

1600–1611 (VOC chartered 20 March 1602; exchange opened 1611)Joint-stock companies and the world's first stock exchangeEconomy & trade

Between 1600 and 1611 the institutional core of modern finance took shape in northwestern Europe.

21 March 1804Promulgation of the Napoleonic CodePolitics & governance

On 21 March 1804 France promulgated the Civil Code of the French, soon known as the Code Napoléon.

21 March 1960Sharpeville massacreSocial & demographic

On 21 March 1960 South African police opened fire on a crowd of several thousand unarmed Black protesters outside the police station in the township of Sharpeville, in the Transvaal.

20 March 2003The US-led invasion of IraqMilitary & conflict

On 20 March 2003 a US-led coalition including Britain, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq, opening with a 'shock and awe' bombing campaign aimed at the government of Saddam Hussein.

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