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

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

01 Dec 1928 Death of José Eustasio Rivera: José Eustasio Rivera, a prominent Colombian writer known for his significant contributions to Latin American literature, passed away. Rivera was a notable poet, novelist, and essayist who played a crucial role in depicting the social and environmental challenges of Colombia's Amazon region.
02 Dec 1928 Jim Bottomley Wins National League MVP Award: Jim Bottomley, the talented first baseman for the Saint Louis Cardinals, was honored with the National League Most Valuable Player award, recognizing his outstanding performance during the 1928 baseball season. Bottomley's exceptional skills and contributions to the team were acknowledged by league voters, highlighting his significance in professional baseball during the late 1920s.
03 Dec 1928 Death of Ezra Meeker: On December 3, 1928, Ezra Meeker, a prominent American businessman, pioneer, and Oregon Trail historian, passed away. Meeker was famous for his efforts to preserve the history of westward expansion, having traveled the Oregon Trail multiple times to raise awareness about the historic migration route and the challenges faced by early settlers.
04 Dec 1928 King George V's Royal Council: During a serious illness of King George V, Queen Mary was appointed to lead a six-person council to manage royal duties. Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin formally announced this extraordinary governance arrangement in the House of Commons, highlighting the constitutional flexibility in managing royal incapacitation.
05 Dec 1928 Banana Massacre in Colombia: A tragic event where federal troops under General Carlos Cortés Vargas massacred workers and supporters of the United Fruit Company in Ciénaga, Magdalena department, Colombia, highlighting labor conflicts and state violence.
06 Dec 1928 Banana Massacre in Colombia: On December 6, 1928, the Colombian army brutally suppressed a workers' strike by the United Fruit Company in Ciénaga, resulting in the tragic killing of at least 47 workers. This event highlighted the extreme labor tensions and corporate exploitation in early 20th-century Latin America, with the military acting on behalf of foreign business interests.
07 Dec 1928 Birth of Noam Chomsky: Noam Chomsky, a renowned American linguist, philosopher, political activist, and cognitive scientist, is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His groundbreaking work in linguistics, particularly his theory of generative grammar, would revolutionize the understanding of language acquisition and structure. Chomsky would later become a prominent intellectual and influential critic of U.S. foreign policy, making significant contributions to political theory, media criticism, and social commentary.
08 Dec 1928 Stock Market Crash Precursor: Major Sell-Off on Wall Street: On December 8, 1928, the New York Stock Exchange experienced a significant market downturn characterized by a massive selling spree. Over a three-day period from Wednesday to Saturday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 33 points, signaling early warning signs of the impending 1929 stock market crash. Notable single-day losses included Radio Corporation of America dropping 72 points, Wright Aeronautical losing 26 points, Montgomery Ward declining 24 points, and Kolster Radio falling 17 points. These market leaders collectively lost over $800 million in paper value, highlighting the volatility and speculative nature of the stock market during the late 1920s.
09 Dec 1928 Fascist Grand Council Gains Power of Royal Succession in Italy: On December 9, 1928, the Italian government passed a significant legislative act that granted the Grand Council of Fascism unprecedented authority to approve royal succession and monarch's powers. This law represented a critical moment in the consolidation of Fascist power under Benito Mussolini's regime. King Victor Emmanuel III, while privately opposed to the legislation, demonstrated characteristic political passivity by offering only minimal resistance, effectively allowing the Fascist leadership to further erode the traditional monarchical system.
10 Dec 1928 1928 Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony: The 1928 Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1928, recognizing outstanding achievements across multiple disciplines. Recipients included Owen Richardson (Physics), Adolf Windhaus (Chemistry), Charles Nicolle (Medicine), and Sigrid Undset (Literature). Notably, the Peace Prize was not awarded that year, reflecting the complex global political landscape of the time.
11 Dec 1928 Foiled Assassination Attempt on Herbert Hoover: Buenos Aires police successfully prevented an assassination attempt targeting Herbert Hoover, the President-elect of the United States, highlighting the political tensions and security challenges of the late 1920s.
12 Dec 1928 International Civil Aeronautics Conference Opens: President Calvin Coolidge hosted a landmark International Civil Aeronautics Conference in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 25th anniversary of powered flight. The event brought together representatives from 34 nations, honored Orville Wright, and featured Charles Lindbergh receiving the Harmon Trophy, symbolizing the rapid advancement of aviation technology and international cooperation.
13 Dec 1928 Gershwin's 'An American in Paris' Debuts: Renowned composer George Gershwin premiered his groundbreaking symphonic tone poem 'An American in Paris' at Carnegie Hall, marking a significant moment in American classical and jazz music history.
14 Dec 1928 Boulder Dam Bill Passes U.S. Senate: The U.S. Senate approved the Boulder Dam Bill with a decisive vote of 64 to 11, a significant legislative step for major infrastructure development in the American West.
15 Dec 1928 Birth of Friedensreich Hundertwasser: Friedensreich Hundertwasser, a renowned Austrian artist and architect known for his unique, colorful, and organic architectural designs, was born in Vienna, Austria.
16 Dec 1928 Death of Elinor Wylie, Prominent American Poet and Novelist: Elinor Wylie, a distinguished American poet and novelist known for her lyrical poetry and complex personal life, passed away on December 16, 1928, at the relatively young age of 43. Wylie was celebrated for her sophisticated literary style, precise language, and works that often explored themes of beauty, passion, and personal struggle. Her notable poetry collections included 'Nets to Catch the Wind' and 'Black Armour', which established her as a significant voice in early 20th-century American literature.
17 Dec 1928 Wright Brothers Flight Anniversary Commemoration: Orville Wright was honored in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Wright brothers' historic first flight. A granite boulder was unveiled at the original flight site, and the cornerstone of a government memorial was laid to commemorate this pivotal moment in aviation history.
18 Dec 1928 Birth of Józef Glemp, Polish Cardinal and Primate: Józef Glemp was born on December 18, 1928, in Włocławek, Poland. He would later become a significant religious leader in the Polish Catholic Church, serving as the Primate of Poland from 1981 to 2006. During a critical period of Poland's transition from communist rule to democracy, Cardinal Glemp played an important role in mediating between the church, political dissidents, and the communist government.
19 Dec 1928 First Autogiro Flight in the United States: On December 19, 1928, the first autogiro, a pioneering aircraft that served as a predecessor to the modern helicopter, completed its inaugural flight in the United States. This groundbreaking aviation milestone represented a significant step in rotary-wing aircraft development, demonstrating an innovative approach to vertical lift technology that would later influence helicopter design.
20 Dec 1928 Ethel Barrymore Theater Opens in New York City: The historic Ethel Barrymore Theater, a landmark Broadway venue, officially opened at 243 West 47th Street in the heart of Manhattan's Theater District. Named after the renowned actress Ethel Barrymore, this theater would become an iconic location for theatrical performances in New York City.
21 Dec 1928 Griffith's Groundbreaking DNA Experiment: Frederick Griffith conducts his landmark experiment, indirectly proving the existence of DNA and providing crucial insights into genetic inheritance and molecular biology.
22 Dec 1928 Presidential Pardon for Alcohol Transportation Violation: Former U.S. Representative John W. Langley of Kentucky received a full presidential pardon from Calvin Coolidge for illegally facilitating alcohol transportation during the Prohibition era. This pardon, issued on December 22, 1928, highlighted the complex legal and social dynamics surrounding alcohol regulations in the late 1920s.
23 Dec 1928 NBC Establishes Coast-to-Coast Radio Network: On December 23, 1928, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) successfully established a permanent, coast-to-coast radio network, marking a significant milestone in American media and communication technology. This development enabled simultaneous broadcasting across the United States, revolutionizing how Americans consumed news, entertainment, and cultural programming.
24 Dec 1928 NBC Establishes Coast-to-Coast Radio Network: On December 24, 1928, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) successfully established a permanent, coast-to-coast radio network, marking a significant milestone in American broadcasting history. This development dramatically expanded the reach of radio communications, connecting audiences across the United States and revolutionizing mass media.
25 Dec 1928 Cricket Match Attendance on Christmas Day: On Christmas Day 1928, the Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted a cricket match between Victoria and New South Wales, attracting 14,887 spectators. This significant crowd demonstrates the popularity of cricket as a holiday sporting event during the interwar period.
26 Dec 1928 First Bubble Gum Introduced: On December 26, 1928, a novel confectionery product - bubble gum - was first introduced to the market, marking a significant moment in candy and consumer product history. This innovative treat would go on to become a popular global phenomenon, especially among children and teenagers.
27 Dec 1928 Uneventful Day in 1928: While no major historical events were recorded for December 27, 1928, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen quietly, without immediate 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 happening globally.
28 Dec 1928 Ma Rainey's Final Recording Session: Ma Rainey, widely recognized as the 'Mother of the Blues,' completed her last recording, cementing her legendary status in early blues music.
29 Dec 1928 Uneventful Day in 1928: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for December 29, 1928, this day represents a moment in the interwar period between World War I and World War II. The late 1920s were characterized by economic recovery, cultural shifts, and emerging technological innovations across the globe.
30 Dec 1928 Uneventful Day in 1928: While no specific major historical events were recorded for December 30, 1928, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. The late 1920s were a dynamic period marked by economic shifts following the Roaring Twenties and preceding the Great Depression. Global political landscapes were evolving, and technological innovations were emerging across various sectors.
31 Dec 1928 Raymond Poincaré's Attempted Resignation: French Prime Minister Raymond Poincaré attempted to resign, but his cabinet members unanimously persuaded him to remain in office. Each cabinet member argued that his departure would potentially trigger a national crisis, demonstrating the critical importance of his leadership during this period.