On this day in history - March 12

What Happened On This Day – March 12

• 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

  In his speech before Congress, U.S. President Harry S. Truman defined his foreign relations priorities, which included military and economic support to Turkey and Greece to prevent the spread of communism there.

• 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 to protest the British monopoly on salt. It was one of the most significant events during the Indian independence movement.

• 1918 Moscow becomes Russia's capital city

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