March 12

Pope Gregory XV proclaims Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier as saints on March 12, 1622, recognizing their foundational roles in the Society of Jesus. Ignatius’s spiritual exercises and Francis’s missionary zeal define Jesuit identity. Their canonizations solidify the order’s influence in the Counter-Reformation, emphasizing education, theological scholarship, and global missions. Jesuit institutions spread across Europe and Asia, shaping intellectual and religious life. This event celebrates two figures whose legacy endures in schools, universities, and communities worldwide.

On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low establishes the Girl Guides in Savannah, Georgia, marking the birth of what becomes the Girl Scouts of the USA. Her vision promotes leadership, self-reliance, and community service among American girls. Starting with just 18 members, the organization rapidly expands nationwide. Girl Scouts adopt uniforms, badges, and camping activities that foster teamwork and practical skills. The movement endures as a major youth organization, shaping generations of leaders and advocates.

In March 1930, Gandhi led a group of followers on a 200-mile journey from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi. The Salt March aimed to defy the British monopoly on salt production and challenge colonial oppression. Over 60 volunteers joined at the outset, and thousands more participated as the march progressed through villages. Gandhi's act of civil disobedience inspired nationwide protests and boycotts against British goods and policies. The event drew global attention to India's struggle for independence and elevated Gandhi as a leader of nonviolent resistance. Although many participants were arrested, the march set the stage for mass mobilization and eventual negotiations.