Major Events of April 1925: 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 April 1925 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of April 1925: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Apr 1925 Hebrew University of Jerusalem Dedication: On April 1st, 1925, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was officially dedicated, becoming a pivotal institution for higher education and research in the region, symbolizing the intellectual and cultural aspirations of the Jewish community.
02 Apr 1925 France-Turkey Alexandretta Autonomy Agreement: France and Turkey reached a diplomatic agreement regarding the autonomous status of the Alexandretta region (modern-day Hatay Province in Turkey). This negotiation was part of the complex geopolitical arrangements following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of mandated territories in the Middle East after World War I.
03 Apr 1925 Henry Ford Launches Private Air Freight Service: Innovator Henry Ford expanded his business interests by establishing a private air freight service connecting Detroit and Chicago, demonstrating the growing intersection of transportation, technology, and commerce in the 1920s.
04 Apr 1925 Founding of the Schutzstaffel (SS): The Schutzstaffel (SS), a paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party, was officially established in Germany. Initially serving as Hitler's personal protection unit, the SS would later become a powerful and notorious organization instrumental in implementing Nazi ideology and carrying out atrocities during World War II.
05 Apr 1925 Babe Ruth's Health Crisis During Yankees Exhibition Game: During an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers, where the Yankees won 16-9, baseball legend Babe Ruth collapsed in North Carolina due to a serious ulcer, highlighting the physical toll of professional sports in the 1920s.
06 Apr 1925 Journalist Brutally Attacked by Al Capone's Henchmen: On April 6, 1925, reporter Robert St. John was severely beaten by several of Al Capone's men in retaliation for a series of investigative articles exposing the notorious Chicago gangster's criminal enterprises. This violent incident highlighted the dangerous risks journalists faced when reporting on organized crime during the Prohibition era.
07 Apr 1925 Hitler Renounces Austrian Citizenship: On April 7, 1925, Adolf Hitler formally renounced his Austrian citizenship, a significant step in his political journey that would later shape European history. This act marked an important transition in Hitler's personal identity and political aspirations, as he sought to distance himself from his birthplace and align more closely with German nationalist ideologies.
08 Apr 1925 First Planned Night Landing on Aircraft Carrier: John D. Price achieved a significant milestone in naval aviation history by performing the first planned night landing on a U.S. aircraft carrier. He successfully landed his TS fighter biplane on the USS Langley, demonstrating advanced piloting skills and expanding the operational capabilities of naval aviation.
09 Apr 1925 The Great Gatsby Published: F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal novel *The Great Gatsby* was published, marking a significant moment in American literary history. The book would go on to become a classic of 20th-century literature, capturing the essence of the Jazz Age and the American Dream.
10 Apr 1925 Publication of The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal novel 'The Great Gatsby' was first published in New York by Charles Scribner's Sons, marking a significant moment in American literary history. The book would later become a classic exploration of the American Dream, wealth, and social dynamics in the Roaring Twenties.
11 Apr 1925 Rif Rebellion: Berber Forces Defeat French Army in Morocco: In a significant moment of colonial resistance, Abd el-Krim's Rifkabylen (Rif Berber) forces successfully defeated the French army in Morocco, demonstrating the indigenous population's fierce opposition to French colonial control. This battle was part of the larger Rif War, where Moroccan Berber tribes fought against Spanish and French colonial powers.
12 Apr 1925 Funeral of Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow: The funeral of Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow marked a significant moment in Russian Orthodox Church history, representing the last major public Orthodox event in the Soviet Union for over six decades. Patriarch Tikhon, who had been a prominent religious leader during the tumultuous early years of the Soviet regime, was a symbol of resistance against religious persecution. His funeral was a poignant and somber occasion that symbolized the declining religious freedom under the emerging Soviet state.
13 Apr 1925 First Commercial Freight Air Service in the US: Henry Ford pioneers commercial aviation by establishing the first regularly scheduled commercial freight operation between Detroit and Chicago, marking a significant milestone in transportation and logistics.
14 Apr 1925 First Chicago Cubs Radio Broadcast: The first regular-season Chicago Cubs game was broadcast on radio by announcer Quin Ryan. The Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates with a score of 8-2, marking a significant milestone in sports media broadcasting.
15 Apr 1925 Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow Dies: Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow, the 11th Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', passed away at the age of 60. He was a significant religious leader who played a crucial role in the Russian Orthodox Church during a tumultuous period in Russian history.
16 Apr 1925 Communist St Nedelya Church Assault: On April 16, 1925, a devastating terrorist attack occurred at the St. Nedelya Church in Sofia, Bulgaria, orchestrated by communist revolutionaries. The bombing was a significant moment in Bulgarian political history, targeting high-ranking military and government officials during a funeral service. The attack resulted in 150 fatalities and approximately 500 injuries, making it one of the most deadly terrorist incidents in Bulgaria's early 20th-century political landscape.
17 Apr 1925 Babe Ruth Undergoes Ulcer Surgery: New York Yankees baseball legend Babe Ruth receives medical treatment for an ulcer, a significant health event that captured national attention during his peak athletic career.
18 Apr 1925 Century of Progress International Exposition Opens in Chicago: The World's Fair, known as the Century of Progress International Exposition, officially opened in Chicago, Illinois, showcasing technological innovations and cultural achievements of the early 20th century. This landmark event celebrated human progress and industrial advancement, attracting visitors from across the United States and around the world.
19 Apr 1925 Reza Shah's Occupation of Ahvaz: Iranian forces under Reza Shah occupy the city of Ahvaz and arrest Sheikh Khazʽal Ibn Jabir, a significant moment in the centralization of power during the early Pahlavi era. This event marked a crucial step in consolidating national control over regional territories.
20 Apr 1925 Scopes Trial Begins: Biology teacher John Scopes was arrested in Dayton, Tennessee, for teaching Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution, sparking a landmark legal and cultural conflict that would become known as the famous 'Monkey Trial', highlighting the tension between scientific education and religious beliefs in 1920s America.
21 Apr 1925 First U.S. President Speaks on Film: At a gathering of editors and publishers in New York City, King Features President Moses Koenigsberg demonstrated a groundbreaking 'Phonofilm' technology developed by inventor Lee de Forest. The film featured President Calvin Coolidge delivering a four-minute address, making him the first U.S. president to be recorded speaking on film, a significant milestone in media and communication technology.
22 Apr 1925 Birth of George Cole, British Actor: George Cole was born in Morden, South London. He would go on to become a prominent British actor known for his versatile performances in film and television.
23 Apr 1925 Riffi Rebellion Against French Colonial Forces in Morocco: Led by Abd-el-Krim, the native Riffi tribes escalate their anti-colonial struggle by turning against French colonial forces in Morocco, following their successful campaign against Spanish colonial troops in Spanish Morocco. This marks a significant moment in the Rif War, highlighting indigenous resistance to European colonial expansion.
24 Apr 1925 Death of G. Stanley Hall, Pioneer of Psychology: G. Stanley Hall, a groundbreaking American psychologist who was the first person in the United States to earn a doctorate in psychology, passed away at the age of 78. Hall was a significant figure in the early development of psychology as an academic discipline, founding the first research laboratory in psychology in the United States and serving as the first president of the American Psychological Association. His work significantly influenced child development studies and educational psychology.
25 Apr 1925 Paul von Hindenburg Elected President of Germany: Paul von Hindenburg was elected as the second President of the Weimar Republic, succeeding Friedrich Ebert. A prominent World War I military leader, Hindenburg's election marked a significant moment in German political history, symbolizing the transition of military leadership into democratic governance.
26 Apr 1925 German Presidential Election of 1925: Paul von Hindenburg defeats Wilhelm Marx in the second round of the German presidential election, becoming the first directly elected Reichspräsident (head of state) of the Weimar Republic. This election was a significant moment in German democratic history, marking a pivotal transition in political leadership.
27 Apr 1925 William Plommer Murder Case Shocks Sheffield: A notorious murder case in Sheffield, England, involving the killing of William Plommer gained international attention. Eleven men were arrested and subsequently put on trial for the crime, highlighting the complexity and public interest in this criminal investigation.
28 Apr 1925 Churchill's Budget Speech on Gold Standard: As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Winston Churchill delivered a pivotal budget speech announcing Britain's return to the international gold standard at its pre-war parity, a significant economic policy decision with far-reaching implications.
29 Apr 1925 Funeral of Patriarch Tikhon Marks End of Public Orthodox Visibility: The funeral of Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow represented a pivotal moment in Soviet religious history. As the last major public Orthodox event for over six decades, it symbolized the Soviet regime's increasing suppression of religious expression and the marginalization of the Russian Orthodox Church under communist rule.
30 Apr 1925 Dodge Brothers Acquisition by Dillon, Read & Company: On April 30, 1925, the Dodge Brothers, Inc. automotive company was sold to Dillon, Read & Company in a landmark transaction valued at $146 million, with an additional $50 million committed to charitable causes. This significant business deal represented a major shift in the automotive industry's ownership landscape during the mid-1920s.