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Major Events of August 1928: 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 August 1928 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of August 1928: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 1928 Croatian Political Separation from Yugoslavia: On August 1, 1928, Croatian political deputies made a significant and provocative move by withdrawing from the Yugoslavian National Assembly. They established a separate, independent parliament in Zagreb, explicitly stating that they would not recognize any decisions made by the central Yugoslavian parliament as legally binding for Croatia. This action represented a critical moment of political tension and nascent separatist sentiment in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia).
  • 02 Aug 1928 Margaret Mead Publishes 'Coming of Age in Samoa': Margaret Mead's groundbreaking cultural anthropology text *Coming of Age in Samoa* was published in the United States, offering unprecedented insights into Samoan adolescent life and challenging Western perspectives on human development and sexuality.
  • 03 Aug 1928 Ray Barbuti's Olympic Triumph in 400m Sprint: Ray Barbuti, an American track and field athlete, delivered a remarkable performance at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics by winning the 400-meter sprint with an impressive time of 47.8 seconds. His victory was crucial in securing points for the United States team and preventing a potential defeat in the track and field events.
  • 04 Aug 1928 Paluweh Volcanic Eruption and Devastating Tsunami: On August 4, 1928, the volcanic island of Paluweh (located in present-day Indonesia) experienced a catastrophic eruption that triggered a massive tsunami. The volcanic event resulted in significant loss of life, with at least 160 people killed and widespread destruction across the surrounding coastal regions of the Dutch East Indies. The eruption not only caused immediate devastation through volcanic debris and pyroclastic flows but also generated a powerful tsunami that swept through nearby settlements, highlighting the destructive potential of volcanic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
  • 05 Aug 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact Signed in Paris: The Kellogg-Briand Pact, a landmark international treaty designed to prevent future wars by legally outlawing war as an instrument of national policy, was signed by 65 nations in Paris. This groundbreaking diplomatic agreement represented a significant moment in international relations, reflecting the global desire to prevent conflicts like World War I from happening again. The pact, named after U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand, was a bold attempt to establish a framework for peaceful resolution of international disputes.
  • 06 Aug 1928 Birth of Andy Warhol: Andy Warhol, the iconic pop artist who would revolutionize modern art and visual culture, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His groundbreaking work would later challenge traditional artistic boundaries and become synonymous with the pop art movement of the mid-20th century.
  • 07 Aug 1928 Italy Restricts Emigration Laws: The Italian government implemented stricter emigration regulations, significantly impacting family reunification policies. The new laws allowed only dependent wives and sons to join emigrated husbands and fathers abroad. Unmarried sisters were permitted to immigrate, but other family members faced substantial restrictions, reflecting the government's attempt to control population movement and demographic shifts.
  • 08 Aug 1928 Fort Pierce Hurricane Landfall: On August 8, 1928, the Fort Pierce hurricane made landfall in the United States, specifically impacting the Florida coastline. This significant meteorological event caused substantial damage and disruption to coastal communities, highlighting the destructive potential of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic region.
  • 09 Aug 1928 Birth of Bob Cousy: Bob Cousy, a legendary basketball player, was born in Manhattan. He would go on to become one of the most influential players in NBA history, particularly with the Boston Celtics, and was later inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • 10 Aug 1928 Birth of Jimmy Dean: Jimmy Dean, a multifaceted American entertainer known for his country music, acting, and successful business ventures, was born in Varina, Virginia. He would go on to become a cultural icon, best remembered for his music, television work, and the Jimmy Dean sausage brand.
  • 11 Aug 1928 Georges Ronsse Wins World Cycling Championship: On August 11, 1928, Belgian cyclist Georges Ronsse achieved a significant milestone by becoming the world champion in cycling. This victory highlighted Belgium's strong cycling tradition and Ronsse's exceptional athletic prowess during the interwar period.
  • 12 Aug 1928 IX Olympic Games Close in Amsterdam: The 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam concluded, representing a significant international sporting event. These Games were notable for being the first to feature women's track and field events, marking a progressive moment in Olympic history.
  • 13 Aug 1928 Royal Air Force Conducts Nighttime Air Defense Simulation: In a strategic military exercise, 250 Royal Air Force planes conducted a comprehensive mock nighttime air battle over London. The simulation tested Britain's aerial defense capabilities, with an official report indicating that 80% of simulated bomber raids were successfully intercepted, highlighting the growing importance of air power in military strategy.
  • 14 Aug 1928 Birth of Lina Wertmüller: Lina Wertmüller, a pioneering Italian film director and screenwriter known for her bold and satirical style, was born in Rome. She would later become one of the most influential female directors of the 20th century, being the first woman nominated for a Best Director Academy Award for her film 'Seven Beauties' (1975).
  • 15 Aug 1928 Bill Dickey's Major League Baseball Debut: On August 15, 1928, Bill Dickey made his major league baseball debut with the New York Yankees, playing against the Chicago White Sox. Although he went 0-for-2 in the game, which resulted in an 8-4 loss, Dickey would go on to become a legendary catcher and Hall of Fame player, instrumental in the Yankees' dynasty of the 1930s and 1940s.
  • 16 Aug 1928 Arrest of Serial Killer Carl Panzram: Carl Panzram, a notorious American serial killer, was arrested in Washington, DC after a violent criminal spree that resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 people. His capture marked a significant moment in law enforcement efforts to stop a dangerous predator.
  • 17 Aug 1928 Kellogg–Briand Pact Signed in Paris: On August 17, 1928, representatives from 15 nations gathered in Paris to sign the landmark Kellogg–Briand Pact, a diplomatic agreement that aimed to renounce war as a means of resolving international disputes. Named after U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand, the treaty was a significant attempt to promote peaceful conflict resolution in the aftermath of World War I.
  • 18 Aug 1928 Devastating Tropical Storm Strikes Haiti: On August 18, 1928, a powerful tropical storm ravaged Haiti, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. The storm claimed approximately 200 lives and inflicted an estimated $1 million in property damage, which was a substantial economic impact for the time. The storm's intensity highlighted Haiti's vulnerability to extreme weather events and the devastating potential of tropical cyclones in the Caribbean region.
  • 19 Aug 1928 Uneventful Day in 1928: While no specific major historical events were recorded for August 19, 1928, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen without immediate global recognition. During this period, the world was experiencing the interwar years between World War I and World War II, with ongoing social, economic, and political transformations across various regions.
  • 20 Aug 1928 First Non-Stop Transcontinental Flight Across the United States: U.S. Army Colonel Art Goebel achieved a historic aviation milestone by completing the first non-stop, west-to-east flight across the United States. Flying from California to New York, Goebel accomplished this remarkable journey in 18 hours and 58 minutes, demonstrating the advancing capabilities of aviation technology in the late 1920s.
  • 21 Aug 1928 Italian Media Criticizes Kellogg-Briand Pact: An editorial in the Italian newspaper *Tevere* critically analyzed the Kellogg–Briand Pact, expressing skepticism about the signatories' genuine commitment to preventing war. The editorial highlighted the diplomatic tensions and underlying cynicism surrounding international peace agreements in the interwar period.
  • 22 Aug 1928 Alfred E. Smith Accepts Democratic Presidential Nomination: Alfred E. Smith, a prominent Democratic politician, accepted the party's presidential nomination in a historic radio and television simulcast by WGY/W2XB, marking a significant moment in early broadcast media and political communication.
  • 23 Aug 1928 Al Smith Accepts Democratic Presidential Nomination: New York Governor Al Smith formally accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in a significant political speech delivered in Albany, marking a pivotal moment in his campaign for the 1928 presidential election.
  • 24 Aug 1928 Kellogg Signs Anti-War Pact in Paris: U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg arrived in Paris to sign the landmark Kellogg-Briand Pact, an international treaty aimed at outlawing war as an instrument of national policy. This diplomatic effort represented a significant moment in post-World War I international relations, seeking to prevent future global conflicts through peaceful resolution.
  • 25 Aug 1928 King Zog I Proclaims Monarchy in Albania: On August 25, 1928, Ahmed Zogu proclaimed himself King Zog I of Albania, establishing a royal monarchy. He was officially crowned on September 1st, marking a significant transition in Albanian political leadership from a republic to a kingdom.
  • 26 Aug 1928 Landmark Legal Case: Donoghue v. Stevenson: On August 26, 1928, May Donoghue discovered a decomposed snail in her ginger beer bottle, which became the catalyst for a groundbreaking legal case that fundamentally transformed tort law. Her experience led to a pivotal lawsuit against the manufacturer, David Stevenson, establishing the modern concept of negligence and duty of care in common law jurisdictions.
  • 27 Aug 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact Signed by Major World Powers: The Pact of Paris (Kellogg-Briand Pact) was signed by eight significant nations: the United States, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Poland. This landmark international agreement condemned the use of war and renounced it as an instrument of national policy in diplomatic relations.
  • 28 Aug 1928 Kellogg–Briand Pact Signed in Paris: Representatives from 15 nations gathered in Paris to sign the landmark Kellogg–Briand Pact, a groundbreaking international agreement that sought to renounce war as a means of resolving international disputes. This pivotal diplomatic effort aimed to promote peaceful conflict resolution and prevent future global conflicts in the aftermath of World War I.
  • 29 Aug 1928 Albanian Political Transformation Attempt: On August 29, 1928, the Albanian National Assembly took a significant political step by appointing a committee to draft a 'special emergency' bill aimed at transforming the republic into a monarchy, reflecting the complex political dynamics of the Balkan region during the interwar period.
  • 30 Aug 1928 Nehru's Call for Indian Independence: On August 30, 1928, Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent Indian nationalist leader, formally articulated a comprehensive request for India's independence from British colonial rule. This pivotal moment represented a significant milestone in India's struggle for self-determination, highlighting Nehru's role as a key figure in the independence movement.
  • 31 Aug 1928 The Threepenny Opera Premiere: The groundbreaking musical play 'The Threepenny Opera' by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill opens at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, marking a significant moment in avant-garde theater and social critique. The production, based on John Gay's 'The Beggar's Opera', would become a landmark work of the Weimar Republic's artistic scene.