Major Events of May 1924: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from May 1924 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of May 1924: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 May 1924 Paul Koudouriotis Becomes President of Greece: On May 1st, 1924, Paul Koudouriotis was elected as the President of Greece. A prominent naval officer and political figure, Koudouriotis assumed leadership during a period of political transition in the aftermath of World War I and the Greco-Turkish War.
02 May 1924 Netherlands Refuses Diplomatic Recognition of Soviet Union: On May 2, 1924, the Netherlands officially declined to establish diplomatic relations with the newly formed Soviet Union, reflecting the ongoing ideological tensions and political uncertainties surrounding the communist state in the early years after the Russian Revolution.
03 May 1924 Zinaida Kokorina's Historic Solo Flight: Russian aviator and schoolteacher Zinaida Kokorina made her groundbreaking first solo flight on May 3, 1924. She became a pioneering figure in aviation history as the first woman pilot in military history, breaking significant gender barriers in the male-dominated field of aviation during the early 20th century.
04 May 1924 1924 Summer Olympics Open in Paris: The 1924 Summer Olympics officially commence in Paris, France, marking the Games of the VIII Olympiad. This international sporting event brings together athletes from around the world to compete in various disciplines, showcasing athletic excellence and international cooperation.
05 May 1924 Twentse Textile Workers' Strike Concludes: Labor unions successfully negotiated the termination of the Twentse textile workers' strike in the Netherlands. This event highlights the industrial labor dynamics and collective bargaining processes of the 1920s, reflecting the growing power of organized labor during that period.
06 May 1924 Founding of Frăția de Cruce in Romania: Corneliu Zelea Codreanu established the Frăția de Cruce (Brotherhood of the Cross), an anti-Semitic Romanian nationalist organization, near Iași. This marked a significant moment in the rise of far-right political movements in Romania during the interwar period.
07 May 1924 Formation of APRA Political Party in Peru: On May 7, 1924, Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre founded the Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana (APRA), a significant political movement in Latin American history. This left-wing political party was established to promote anti-imperialism, indigenous rights, and social reform across the Americas, becoming a pivotal organization in Peruvian and regional political discourse.
08 May 1924 Klaipeda Convention Signed: The Klaipeda Convention was formally signed, officially incorporating the Klaipeda Region (formerly Memel Territory) into Lithuania, resolving a complex territorial dispute and establishing regional autonomy.
09 May 1924 Scottish Home Rule Bill Introduced in British Parliament: On May 9, 1924, George Buchanan, a Scottish politician, introduced a home rule bill for Scotland in the British House of Commons. The proposed legislation aimed to grant Scotland greater political autonomy within the United Kingdom. The bill's presentation was met with significant controversy, leading to a heated debate that quickly devolved into a shouting match. Due to the intense disagreement, the parliamentary session was ultimately adjourned without resolving the matter.
10 May 1924 J. Edgar Hoover Becomes First FBI Director: J. Edgar Hoover was appointed as the first Director of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), marking the beginning of a transformative era in American law enforcement. He would go on to lead the agency for an unprecedented 48 years, until his death in 1972, significantly shaping the organization's structure, methods, and national influence.
11 May 1924 Formation of Mercedes-Benz: Automotive pioneers Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz merged their respective companies, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie, to create the legendary automotive brand Mercedes-Benz, revolutionizing the automotive industry.
12 May 1924 Raymond Poincaré Resigns as French Prime Minister: Following disappointing election results, French Prime Minister Raymond Poincaré announced his intention to resign, with the resignation to take effect when the newly elected deputies assume their seats in June.
13 May 1924 Ontario Bond Scandal: Arrest of Peter Smith and Aemilius Jarvis: On May 13, 1924, a significant political corruption case unfolded in Canada when Peter Smith, the former treasurer of Ontario, and prominent financier Aemilius Jarvis were arrested on serious charges of theft and conspiracy to defraud the provincial government. The Ontario Bond Scandal exposed deep-seated financial misconduct within the provincial administration, highlighting issues of public trust and governmental accountability during the early 20th century.
14 May 1924 Methodist Church Adopts Pacifist Stance: In a significant decision reflecting growing anti-war sentiment in the early 20th century, the Methodist Church Committee convened in Massachusetts and voted 76 to 37 to recommend that the church adopt a strict non-participation policy in all forms of warfare. This resolution was groundbreaking, as it extended beyond traditional just war theory to reject military involvement even in cases of self-defense, signaling a profound moral and theological commitment to pacifism.
15 May 1924 Eugene O'Neill's Groundbreaking Play Premieres: Eugene O'Neill's provocative play 'All God's Chillun Got Wings', inspired by a Negro spiritual, premiered in New York City, starring the renowned Paul Robeson. The production was significant for its bold exploration of racial themes during the Harlem Renaissance period.
16 May 1924 Extreme Heat Record in Blitzen, Oregon: On May 16, 1924, Blitzen, Oregon experienced an extraordinary temperature spike, recording a scorching 108°F (42°C). This remarkable meteorological event represents one of the highest temperatures ever documented in the region during that historical period, highlighting the potential for extreme climate variations in rural Oregon.
17 May 1924 Congress Overrides Coolidge's Veto: The United States House of Representatives voted 313-78 to override President Calvin Coolidge's veto of the World War Adjusted Compensation Act, demonstrating strong congressional support for veterans' benefits.
19 May 1924 AT&T Pioneers First Long-Distance Image Transmission: The American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) achieved a groundbreaking technological milestone by successfully transmitting images over telephone lines. During a two-hour experimental session, the company transmitted 15 photographs from its Cleveland office to its New York City headquarters, marking a significant advancement in telecommunications and visual communication technology.
20 May 1924 Bozenhardt Incident in Berlin: On May 20, 1924, a significant diplomatic confrontation occurred in Berlin known as the Bozenhardt incident. The event involved a tense interaction between German police authorities and an unspecified party, which threatened to escalate into a serious international dispute. The incident was potentially so volatile that it required Germany to consider formal apologies and potential reparation payments to prevent further diplomatic complications.
21 May 1924 Infamous Thrill Killing of Bobby Franks: University of Chicago students Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb committed a shocking and senseless murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks in what became known as a 'thrill killing'. The two affluent young men meticulously planned and executed the murder purely for the intellectual challenge and excitement, demonstrating a chilling disregard for human life. Their crime would become one of the most notorious murder cases of the 1920s, drawing significant national attention and sparking debates about criminal psychology and motivation.
22 May 1924 Leopold and Loeb Murder of Bobby Franks: In a shocking and infamous crime, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy University of Chicago students, kidnapped and murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks in Chicago. Their motivation was a disturbing attempt to commit what they believed would be a 'perfect crime', driven by their belief in their own intellectual superiority. The murder was meticulously planned but ultimately failed due to critical forensic evidence that linked them directly to the crime.
23 May 1924 13th Congress of the Communist Party: The Thirteenth Congress of the Communist Party was a significant political event held shortly after the death of Vladimir Lenin. This conference marked a crucial transitional period in Soviet leadership and party ideology, as the organization sought to define its direction in the post-Lenin era.
24 May 1924 Immigration Act of 1924 and Asian Exclusion: The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the Johnson-Reed Act, was signed into law, establishing strict quotas that significantly restricted immigration, particularly from Asia. This legislation was a landmark moment in U.S. immigration policy, implementing racist immigration restrictions that severely limited Asian immigration and reflected the xenophobic attitudes of the time.
25 May 1924 Beulah Annan Acquitted of Murder in Chicago: Beulah Annan was acquitted of murder charges after shooting and killing her lover, Harry Kalstedt. Her sensationalized trial concluded with the court determining she acted in self-defense. The case garnered significant public attention and became a notable criminal justice event of the 1920s.
26 May 1924 US Immigration Act of 1924: U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signed the Immigration Act of 1924, a significant piece of legislation that dramatically restricted immigration to the United States. The law established strict national origin quotas and included the Asian Exclusion Act, which effectively banned immigration from Asian countries, reflecting the xenophobic and racist policies of the era.
27 May 1924 Immigration Restriction Act of 1924: U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signs the Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act), implementing strict quotas that dramatically reduced immigration, particularly targeting Asian immigrants. The law established a discriminatory national origins quota system and explicitly banned most Asian immigrants through the Asian Exclusion Act, reflecting the racist immigration policies of the era.
29 May 1924 Bucharest Munitions Depot Explosion: A catastrophic explosion occurred at a munitions depot located two miles west of Bucharest, resulting in significant loss of life and causing substantial damage to the royal palace. The incident highlighted the potential dangers of storing military explosives near populated and important governmental areas.
30 May 1924 Assassination of Giacomo Matteotti: Italian socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti was murdered by Fascist squadristi in the Italian parliament, marking a critical moment in the suppression of political opposition during Benito Mussolini's rise to power. This brutal act symbolized the violent tactics used by the Fascist regime to silence democratic dissent.
31 May 1924 Soviet-China Diplomatic Agreement on Outer Mongolia: The Soviet Union signed a significant diplomatic agreement with the Peking government, acknowledging Outer Mongolia as an integral part of the Republic of China. In this treaty, the Soviet Union explicitly promised to respect China's sovereignty over the region, marking an important moment in early 20th-century Sino-Soviet relations.