Major Events of September 1929: 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 September 1929 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1929: Key Historical Moments from the Month

02 Sep 1929 Formation of Unilever through Strategic Merger: On September 2, 1929, Unilever was officially formed through the strategic merger of Margarine Union and Lever Brothers, creating one of the world's largest consumer goods companies. This merger united two significant European businesses, combining their strengths in food production, personal care, and household products.
03 Sep 1929 Dow Jones Reaches Historic Peak Before Great Depression: On September 3, 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record peak of 381.17 points, marking a significant moment in financial history just weeks before the catastrophic stock market crash of October 1929.
04 Sep 1929 Dow Jones Industrial Average Reaches Peak in 1920s: On September 4, 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached its highest point of the decade, hitting 386 points. This peak would soon be followed by the catastrophic stock market crash in October, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.
05 Sep 1929 Prophetic Warning of Stock Market Crash: American business theorist Roger Babson delivered a prescient speech at a business conference in Wellesley, Massachusetts, warning about excessive speculation and borrowing in the financial markets. His ominous prediction foreshadowed the impending stock market crash that would trigger the Great Depression.
06 Sep 1929 League of Nations Covenant Revision Proposal: British Foreign Affairs Secretary Arthur Henderson addressed the League of Nations Assembly, proposing significant revisions to the League Covenant. His proposal aimed to strengthen the international diplomatic framework and improve mechanisms for conflict resolution in the post-World War I era.
07 Sep 1929 Steamer capsizes and sinks on Lake Näsijärvi near Tampere in Finland. One hundred thirty-six lives are lost.
09 Sep 1929 Aristide Briand Proposes United States of Europe: On September 9, 1929, a pivotal diplomatic gathering took place where representatives from 28 nations convened to hear French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand's groundbreaking proposal for a unified European confederation. During this landmark luncheon, Briand outlined his visionary concept of a 'United States of Europe', a precursor to what would eventually become the European Union. After the meeting, he confidently declared to the media, 'We have laid the cornerstone of a European confederation', signaling an ambitious attempt to foster continental cooperation and prevent future conflicts in the wake of World War I.
10 Sep 1929 Arnold Palmer: Golf Legend Born: Arnold Palmer, one of the most iconic and influential professional golfers in history, was born on this date. Palmer would go on to become a pivotal figure in popularizing golf worldwide, winning multiple major championships and being named PGA Golfer of the Year in 1960 and 1962. Known as 'The King', he was instrumental in transforming golf from an elite sport to a mainstream entertainment spectacle.
11 Sep 1929 San Francisco Introduces First Pedestrian Traffic Light System: On September 11, 1929, San Francisco Mayor James 'Sunny Jim' Rolph officially inaugurated the city's pioneering pedestrian traffic light system, marking a significant milestone in urban traffic management and public safety. This innovative installation represented an early effort to regulate street crossings and reduce accidents in a rapidly growing metropolitan area during the late 1920s.
12 Sep 1929 Mussolini Consolidates Power by Reducing Cabinet Roles: On September 12, 1929, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini strategically relinquished seven of his eight cabinet posts, retaining only the Ministry of Interior. This political maneuver allowed him to streamline his government and appoint trusted allies to key positions. New appointees included Dino Grandi as Foreign Affairs Minister and Italo Balbo as Minister of Aviation, signaling a potential shift in Italy's political and diplomatic strategy during the early years of Mussolini's fascist regime.
13 Sep 1929 Deadly Gasoline Explosion in Parma, Italy: On September 13, 1929, a catastrophic gasoline explosion rocked the city of Parma, resulting in a tragic loss of life and significant injuries. The incident claimed the lives of twelve individuals and left fifteen others wounded, highlighting the dangerous nature of industrial and fuel-related accidents during the early 20th century.
14 Sep 1929 British Army Withdrawal from Rhineland: The British Army completed its withdrawal of remaining troops from the occupied Rhineland, marking a significant milestone in post-World War I European geopolitics and the gradual normalization of relations between Germany and occupying powers.
15 Sep 1929 Murder of Labor Activist Ella Mae Wiggins: On September 15, 1929, seven men were charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Ella Mae Wiggins, a prominent labor activist and textile worker during the tumultuous period of labor struggles in the American South. Despite the initial charges, the five men who went to trial in March were ultimately acquitted, highlighting the systemic challenges and racial tensions faced by labor organizers during this era.
16 Sep 1929 Deadly Coal Mine Explosion in France: A catastrophic explosion occurred at the Petite Rosselle coal mine near Strasbourg, France, resulting in 23 worker fatalities and 21 injuries. This tragic industrial accident underscores the dangerous working conditions in coal mining during the early 20th century and the significant human cost of industrial development.
17 Sep 1929 Lithuanian Political Transition: A significant political coup occurs in Lithuania, with Augustinas Voldemaras being ousted from power and Antanas Smetona assuming the presidency. This marks a pivotal moment in Lithuania's interwar political landscape, signaling a shift in national leadership and potentially political ideology.
18 Sep 1929 Cubs Clinch National League Pennant: On September 18, 1929, the Chicago Cubs secured the National League pennant after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates. This victory positioned the Cubs for the upcoming World Series and marked a significant moment in their baseball season. The Cubs, under manager Joe McCarthy, were a dominant team in the late 1920s, featuring star players like Hack Wilson and Kiki Cuyler.
19 Sep 1929 Political Upheaval in Latvia: Augustinas Voldemaras Ousted: On September 19, 1929, a significant political transition occurred in Lithuania when Augustinas Voldemaras, a controversial authoritarian leader, was forcibly removed from power. Voldemaras, who had been a key figure in Lithuania's early independence period, was known for his nationalist and often confrontational political style. His removal marked an important moment in Lithuanian political history, signaling a shift away from autocratic governance.
20 Sep 1929 Deadly Fire at Detroit Study Club Dance Hall: On September 20, 1929, a catastrophic fire erupted at the Study Club dance hall in Detroit, Michigan, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The blaze claimed 20 lives and left over 50 people injured, marking one of the most significant urban disasters in Detroit's early 20th-century history. The incident highlighted the critical need for improved fire safety regulations and emergency response protocols in public entertainment venues during that era.
21 Sep 1929 Britain Withdraws Disarmament Resolution from League of Nations: Britain withdrew a controversial disarmament resolution from the League of Nations, proposing limitations on trained army reserves. This diplomatic move highlighted the complex international tensions and negotiations surrounding military preparedness in the interwar period.
22 Sep 1929 Empire State Building Construction Begins: On September 22, 1929, the construction contract for the iconic Empire State Building was awarded, marking the start of an ambitious architectural project that would become a defining symbol of New York City's skyline. The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and was part of the era's skyscraper boom. Despite being initiated just weeks before the stock market crash of 1929, the project continued and was remarkably completed in just 410 days, setting a record for rapid construction at the time. When finished in 1931, the Empire State Building stood as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years, reaching a height of 1,454 feet including its antenna.
23 Sep 1929 Death of Richard Adolf Zsigmondy, Nobel Prize-Winning Chemist: Richard Adolf Zsigmondy, a distinguished Austrian-born chemist renowned for his groundbreaking work in colloid chemistry, passed away. Zsigmondy was a Nobel Prize laureate who made significant contributions to scientific understanding of microscopic particles and their behavior. His research fundamentally advanced the field of chemistry and nanoscience.
24 Sep 1929 First Complete Instrument Flight by Jimmy Doolittle: Lieutenant Jimmy Doolittle successfully completed the first full instrument flight, demonstrating that an aircraft could be piloted entirely using instruments from takeoff to landing. This groundbreaking achievement at Mitchell Field, New York, marked a significant milestone in aviation history, proving that pilots could navigate safely without visual references.
25 Sep 1929 First Successful Blind Flight Demonstration: Lieutenant Jimmy Doolittle achieved a groundbreaking milestone in aviation history by performing the first complete blind flight at Mitchell Field, New York. His successful navigation from takeoff to landing using only instrument guidance revolutionized aviation safety and technological capabilities.
26 Sep 1929 John Schrober Becomes Chancellor of Austria: On September 26, 1929, John Schrober assumed the role of Chancellor of Austria during a politically turbulent period in the country's history. This transition of leadership occurred during the interwar period, a time of significant economic and political instability in Europe following World War I. Schrober's appointment came at a critical moment when Austria was struggling with economic challenges, political polarization, and the lingering effects of the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
27 Sep 1929 Publication of 'A Farewell to Arms': Ernest Hemingway's seminal novel 'A Farewell to Arms' was published, marking a significant contribution to 20th-century American literature. The book, set during World War I, explores themes of love, war, and disillusionment through the story of an American ambulance driver and an English nurse. The novel is considered a powerful anti-war narrative that draws from Hemingway's own experiences as an ambulance driver in Italy during World War I.
28 Sep 1929 Child Marriage Restraint Act Amendment in India: A landmark legislative reform was passed in India establishing minimum marriage ages: no man below 18 and no woman below 16 could legally marry. This significant social welfare legislation aimed to protect young individuals from early marriage and its associated social and health risks.
30 Sep 1929 First Manned Rocket Plane Flight by Fritz von Opel: On September 30, 1929, automotive engineer Fritz von Opel achieved a groundbreaking milestone in aviation history by conducting the world's first manned rocket plane flight. Piloting the RAK.1 rocket-powered aircraft near Frankfurt, Germany, Opel flew approximately 1.25 miles at a low altitude of around 49 feet. Despite crashing upon landing, he emerged unharmed, marking a significant moment in aerospace technological development.