Land Day
 In response to the Israeli government’s expropriation of 21,000 dunums of Palestinian land in the villages of Araba, Deir Hanna and Arab Al-Masa’eed in Galilee, the National Committee for the Defense of Arab Lands in Israel calls for a general strike and demonstrations on the 30th of March 1976.  The Israeli government imposes a curfew on several Palestinian villages in Galilee; demonstrations take place and are viciously confronted by border and regular police leading to the killing of six Palestinian civilians.  Palestinians commemorate the 30th of March as “Land Day.”

 
Kamal Jumblatt assassination 

On the 16th of March 1977, Kamal Jumblatt, the leader of the Lebanese National Movement and cofounder of the Progressive Socialist Party, is assassinated by car bomb while en route to the Chouf Mountains, near a checkpoint of the Syrian Army deployed under the banner of the Arab Deterrent Force.  Jumblatt is one of the leaders known for his strong support of the Palestinian cause.

 

Dimona Operation
On the 7th of March 1988, Palestinian fighters hijack a bus carrying approximately 50 Israeli technicians and nuclear scientists to Dimona Negev Nuclear Center.  While Israel claims to be negotiating with the hijackers, who were demanding the release of a number of prisoners held in Israeli jails, Israeli forces attack the bus leading to the deaths of the three kidnappers and most of the passengers.

 
Gulf War
The Gulf War erupts on the 17th of January 1991.  The coalition forces, led by the United States, oust the Iraqi troops from Kuwait.  In the aftermath of the War, only about 30,000 of the approximately 400,000 Palestinians residing in Kuwait remain; the majority return to the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Jordan.

 
Pope John Paul II visit to Bethlehem 
On the 22nd of March 2000, Pope John Paul II visits Bethlehem during the Palestinian celebrations of the second millennium, “Bethlehem 2000.”  He is warmly welcomed by President Arafat, Palestinian officials, residents of the city and Christians of Palestine.  Upon the Pope’s arrival, he kisses Palestinian soil (placed in a bowl) and declares, “Peace to the Palestinian people, peace to all people of the region.”  The Pope’s pilgrimage includes Jerusalem and Bethlehem, as well as Jordan and Israel.
 
 

“Operation Defensive Shield”

Israel launches “Operation Defensive Shield” on the 29th of March 2002, with a large-scale military invasion of Ramallah.      When Israeli tanks enter Al-Muqata’a, Yasser Arafat counters “They want me prisoner… but I say to them:  martyr, martyr, martyr.” On the 30th of March 2002, the occupation forces begin massive incursions into many cities, damaging and destroying infrastructure, Palestinian public administration and security services, killing and wounding many Palestinians and taking unilateral control of the West Bank, including areas classified as   “A” and “B”.  The military campaign continues until the 3rd of May 2002.