The Royal Australian Air Force is formed.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was formed on March 31, 1921, as an independent branch of the Australian armed forces. However, the origins of the RAAF can be traced back to 1914, when the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) was established as part of the Australian Imperial Force for service in World War I.

During World War I, the AFC saw action in the Middle East, the Western Front, and in the Pacific. After the war, the Australian government recognized the importance of air power and decided to establish a separate air force. On March 31, 1921, the Australian Air Force was renamed the Royal Australian Air Force and became an independent branch of the Australian armed forces.

During World War II, the RAAF played a significant role in the defense of Australia, as well as in the Pacific Theater. The RAAF also provided support to Allied forces in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. After the war, the RAAF was involved in various peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, including the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, and the Vietnam War.

In more recent times, the RAAF has been involved in various military operations, including the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the War in Iraq. The RAAF also plays a critical role in Australia’s national security, with its capabilities utilized for search and rescue operations, border security, and disaster relief efforts.

The 1921 Women’s Olympiad began in Monte Carlo, becoming the first international women’s sports event.

The 1921 Women’s Olympiad, also known as the Women’s World Games, was a multi-sport event held in Monte Carlo, Monaco from April 24 to 31, 1921. The event was organized by Alice Milliat and was designed to showcase women’s sports and provide female athletes with an opportunity to compete on an international stage.

The 1921 Women’s Olympiad is most known for being the first international women’s sports event. It featured athletes from 9 countries competing in track and field, gymnastics, and other sports. The event was significant because it provided women with a platform to compete and demonstrate their athletic abilities, which was not commonly accepted in the early 20th century.

One of the highlights of the 1921 Women’s Olympiad was the performance of the French athlete Suzanne Lenglen, who won the tennis singles and doubles events. Lenglen went on to become one of the greatest tennis players of all time, winning 31 Grand Slam titles during her career.

Overall, the 1921 Women’s Olympiad helped to pave the way for women’s participation in sports and laid the groundwork for the inclusion of women’s events in future Olympic Games.

The Royal Australian Air Force is formed.

The Royal Australian Air Force traces its history back to the Imperial Conference held in London in 1911, where it was decided aviation should be developed within the Armed Forces of the British Empire. Australia implemented this decision, the only country to do so, by approving the establishment of the Central Flying School in 1912. The location for the proposed school was initially to be at Duntroon, Australian Capital Territory, but in July 1913 Point Cook, Victoria, was announced as the preferred location. The first flights by CFS aircraft took place there in March 1914.

The Australian Flying Corps was formed as a Militia unit, with staff and students to be selected from the Citizen Forces. After an abortive deployment to German New Guinea at the end of 1914 as part of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, it earned a most creditable reputation in both Palestine and France during World War I as a part of the Australian Imperial Force. The Australian Flying Corps remained part of the Australian Army until 1919, when it was disbanded along with the AIF. Although the Central Flying School continued to operate at Point Cook, military flying virtually ceased until 1920, when the Australian Air Corps was formed. The Australian Air Force was formed on 31 March 1921. King George V approved the prefix “Royal” in June 1921 and it became effective on 31 August 1921. The RAAF then became the second Royal air arm to be formed in the British Commonwealth, following the British Royal Air Force.

The service was rapidly expanded during World War II and at its height, it was the fourth largest air force in the world, consisting of 53 squadrons based in the Pacific and a further 17 in Europe.

In 1911, the Imperial Conference that was held in London determined that the armed forces of the British Empire needed to develop an aviation branch. At the time, aircraft were a newly emerging technology, but nevertheless Australia implemented the decision, the only country to do so. The first step taken by the government was to approve the establishment of the Central Flying School in 1912. Initially, it had been proposed to establish the school at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, where the Royal Military College had been established in 1911, but in July 1913 it was determined that Point Cook, Victoria, was the preferred location. The Australian Flying Corps was subsequently formed as a Militia unit, with staff and students to be selected from the Citizen Forces, and the first flights by CFS aircraft took place in March 1914.

Soon after the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the AFC sent aircraft to assist the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force in capturing German colonies in what is now north-west New Guinea. These colonies surrendered quickly however, before the planes were even unpacked. The first operational flights did not occur until 27 May 1915, when the Mesopotamian Half Flight was called upon to assist the Indian Army in protecting British oil interests in what is now Iraq. The corps later saw action in Egypt, Palestine and on the Western Front throughout the remainder of World War I. By the end of the war, four squadrons – Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 – had seen active service; another four squadrons – Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 – had also been raised to provide training in the United Kingdom. The AFC was disbanded along with the rest of the Australian Imperial Force in 1919, following the end of hostilities. Although the Central Flying School continued to operate at Point Cook, military flying virtually ceased until 1920, when the Australian Air Corps was formed. The following year, this was separated from the Army on 31 March 1921, when the Australian Air Force was formed as an independent service; in June that year King George V gave his assent for the service to use the prefix “Royal” and this came into effect on 31 August 1921.

Upon formation, the RAAF had more aircraft than personnel, with 21 officers and 128 other ranks, and just 170 aircraft. Initially, it had been planned to expand the force to 1,500 personnel – three-quarters permanent staff and one quarter reserves – who would serve in six squadrons: two of fighter aircraft, two of reconnaissance aircraft, and two squadrons of seaplanes. These plans were scuttled a year after formation due to budget constraints and until 1924, the service’s strength remained steady at just 50 officers and 300 other ranks; of the six planned squadrons, only five had been raised, albeit cadre strength, and these were subsequently merged into a single mixed squadron until 1925. A slightly improved economic situation in 1925 allowed the re-raising of Nos. 1 and 3 Squadrons, which were initially composite units equipped with fighters and bombers. Later in the decade, they were reorganised with No. 1 Squadron becoming a solely bomber formation, while No. 3 focused on army co-operation roles; smaller squadrons – in reality only flights – of fighters and seaplanes were formed within the RAAF’s flying training unit, No. 1 Flying Training School, which had been raised at Point Cook.

Throughout the inter-war years the fledgling RAAF focused on local defence and providing training opportunities to Australia’s naval and military forces. It also undertook aerial survey missions, meteorological flights, public displays, and provision of defence aid to the civil community, undertaking search and rescue missions and bush fire patrols. In the late 1930s, the force was expanded amidst concerns about a future war in Europe. Additional squadrons were raised and bases established away from the south-east coast, including airbases in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. This expansion saw the RAAF increase its personnel from under 1,000 in 1935 to around 3,500 in 1939, and the establishment of a force of 12 squadrons, with plans for a further six, by the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.

The first international women’s sports event, the 1921 Women’s Olympiad begins in Monte Carlo.

1921 Women’s Olympiad Flag of Monaco.svg Monte Carlo, Monaco First event 1921 Violette Morris

The 1921 Women’s Olympiad was the first international women’s sports event, a 5-day multi-sport event organised by Alice Milliat and held on 24–31 March 1921 in Monte Carlo at the International Sporting Club of Monaco. The tournament was formally called “1er Meeting International d’Education Physique Féminine de Sports Athlétiques” It was the first of three Women’s Olympiads or “Monte Carlo Games” held annually at the venue, and the forerunner of the quadrennial Women’s World Games, organised in 1922–34 by the International Women’s Sports Federation founded by Milliat later in 1921.

The games were organized by Alice Milliat and Camille Blanc, director of the “International Sporting Club de Monaco” as a response to the IOC decision not to include women’s events in the 1924 Olympic Games.

The games were attended by 100 participants from nations: France, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The athletes competed in 10 events: running, high jump, long jump, standing long jump, javelin and shot put. The tournament also held exhibition events in basketball, gymnastics, pushball and rhythmic gymnastics.

The tournament was held at the “Tir aux Pigeons” in the gardens of the Monte Carlo Casino.

The tournament was a great success and an important step for Women’s sports. The 1922 Women’s Olympiad and 1923 Women’s Olympiad were held at the same Monaco venue; the 1922 event is sometimes confused with the 1922 Women’s World Games held in Paris.

The IAAF unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site of the games in 2008.