Major Events of December 1930: 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 1930 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of December 1930: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Dec 1930 Major Scottish Coal Miners' Strike: Seventy-five thousand Scottish coal miners initiated a widespread strike as winter approached, highlighting labor tensions, economic challenges, and workers' demands for better working conditions and compensation in the early 1930s. The timing of the strike during the winter months added significant pressure on mine owners and the broader economic landscape.
02 Dec 1930 Hoover's 1930 State of the Union Address on Economic Recovery: During his second State of the Union message to Congress, delivered in writing, President Herbert Hoover addressed the ongoing Great Depression. He emphasized that the primary economic challenges originated from external forces and argued that unwarranted fear and apprehension had hindered the nation's economic recovery. Hoover detailed the government's efforts to combat the economic crisis over the past year and proposed a significant $150 million public works program aimed at generating employment and stimulating economic activity.
03 Dec 1930 German Police Raid on Nazi Castle: German police conducted a significant raid on a Nazi-occupied castle near Breslau, located along the Polish border. The operation resulted in the arrest of hundreds of Brownshirts and the seizure of substantial arms and ammunition. The Nazis claimed they were organizing a defense force to protect 'oppressed' Germans in Upper Silesia, revealing the rising tensions and paramilitary activities of the Nazi movement.
04 Dec 1930 Vatican Approves Rhythm Method: The Catholic Church officially approved the rhythm method as an acceptable form of birth control, representing a nuanced shift in the Church's stance on family planning and contraception.
05 Dec 1930 German Premiere of 'All Quiet on the Western Front': The groundbreaking anti-war film 'All Quiet on the Western Front', based on Erich Maria Remarque's novel, premiered at the Berlin Mozartsaal. The film, directed by Lewis Milestone, was a powerful and stark portrayal of the brutal realities of World War I, depicting the psychological and physical devastation experienced by young soldiers. Its German premiere was particularly significant, as it challenged prevailing nationalist narratives about war and heroism.
06 Dec 1930 Pablo Neruda's Marriage in Batavia: Renowned Chilean poet Pablo Neruda married Marie A. Hagenaar Vogelzang in Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia), an early event in his personal life before he became a globally recognized literary figure.
07 Dec 1930 Soviet Industrial Party Trial Concludes: The Industrial Party Trial in the Soviet Union concluded on December 7, 1930, with a harsh verdict. Of the eight defendants, five were sentenced to death, while the remaining three received prison terms ranging from three to ten years. This trial was part of Joseph Stalin's broader political purges and represented a significant moment in Soviet political repression.
08 Dec 1930 Assassination of Colonel N.S. Simpson by Indian Independence Activists: Three Indian independence activists from the Bengal Volunteers (Benoy Basu, Dinesh Gupta, and Badal Gupta) infiltrated the Writers' Building at Dalhousie Square in Calcutta and assassinated Colonel N.S. Simpson, the Inspector General of the Indian Imperial Police prison system. This act was a significant moment of resistance against British colonial rule.
09 Dec 1930 Andrew "Rube" Foster: Negro National League Founder: Andrew "Rube" Foster was a pioneering African American baseball player, manager, and most significantly, the founder of the Negro National League. His establishment of this league was crucial in providing professional opportunities for Black baseball players during the era of racial segregation in American sports. Foster was instrumental in organizing and professionalizing Black baseball, creating a platform for talented athletes who were excluded from Major League Baseball due to racial discrimination.
10 Dec 1930 Karl Landsteiner Awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Austrian-American scientist Karl Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking discovery of human blood groups. His research revolutionized medical understanding of blood compatibility, enabling safe blood transfusions and laying the foundation for modern immunology and medical diagnostics.
11 Dec 1930 Bank of the United States Collapses: The Bank of the United States and its 59 branches were closed, with its assets taken over by the New York State Superintendent of Banks. This event was a significant moment during the Great Depression, highlighting the fragility of the banking system and contributing to the economic instability of the era.
12 Dec 1930 Jaca Uprising in Spain: A military revolution against the Spanish monarchy erupted at a military garrison in Jaca, a town in northeastern Spain, representing an early challenge to the monarchical system during this tumultuous period.
13 Dec 1930 Théodore Steeg Forms French Government: On December 13, 1930, Théodore Steeg was appointed as the new Prime Minister of France, forming a new government during the Third French Republic period.
14 Dec 1930 Execution of Spanish Army Officers After Jaca Uprising: Two Spanish army officers were executed by firing squad following a summary court-martial for their involvement in the Jaca uprising, a failed military revolution aimed at overthrowing the Spanish monarchy. The swift and harsh response by the government effectively crushed the revolutionary attempt.
15 Dec 1930 Donald Bradman's First Test Cricket Wicket: In a notable moment in cricket history, Donald Bradman, one of the most legendary batsmen of all time, took his first Test cricket wicket by dismissing Ivan Barrow of the West Indies team, caught leg before wicket (lbw).
16 Dec 1930 Bobby Jones Wins Sullivan Award: Golfer Bobby Jones receives the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, recognizing him as the top amateur athlete in the United States for his outstanding achievements in golf.
17 Dec 1930 First Diesel-Powered Automobile Cross-Country Journey: On December 17, 1930, automotive pioneers completed the first long-distance trip using a diesel-powered automobile, successfully driving from Indianapolis to New York City. This groundbreaking journey demonstrated the potential of diesel engine technology in passenger vehicles, marking a significant milestone in automotive engineering and transportation innovation.
18 Dec 1930 Donald Bradman's Record-Breaking Cricket Performance: Donald Bradman, the legendary Australian cricketer, delivered an extraordinary batting performance in a domestic match between New South Wales and South Australia. He scored an impressive 258 runs, batting for 289 minutes and hitting 37 fours, demonstrating his exceptional skill and establishing himself as one of cricket's most formidable batsmen.
19 Dec 1930 Soviet Leadership Change: Alexei Rykov was removed from his position as Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the Soviet Union, falling out of favor with Joseph Stalin. He was replaced by Vyacheslav Molotov, signaling another shift in Stalin's consolidation of power.
20 Dec 1930 Hoover's Emergency Relief Legislation: In response to the ongoing economic challenges of the Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover signed two critical relief bills: a $110 million emergency construction bill and a $45 million drought relief bill. These legislative actions were part of the administration's efforts to provide economic support and infrastructure development during a severe national crisis.
21 Dec 1930 Soviet Leadership Transition: Rykov Replaced by Molotov: On December 21, 1930, a significant political shift occurred in the Soviet Union when Alexei Rykov was removed from his position as Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, effectively being dismissed as Soviet Premier. This change was orchestrated by Joseph Stalin, who was consolidating his power within the Communist Party leadership. Vyacheslav Molotov was appointed as Rykov's replacement, marking another step in Stalin's systematic elimination of potential political rivals and his tightening grip on Soviet governance.
22 Dec 1930 Convention of Oslo Signed by Six Western European Nations: Six Western European countries signed the Convention of Oslo, a diplomatic agreement aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and potentially addressing economic or political challenges of the interwar period. This treaty represented an early example of multilateral collaboration in Europe before the more comprehensive post-World War II integration efforts.
23 Dec 1930 Bette Davis Begins Hollywood Journey: Actress Bette Davis arrived in Hollywood, signing a contract with Universal Studios, marking the beginning of her legendary film career. This moment would be a pivotal point in her trajectory to becoming one of the most iconic actresses of the 20th century.
24 Dec 1930 Pope Pius XI's Christmas Eve Message on Global Peace: Pope Pius XI delivered a significant Christmas Eve message, cautioning against 'blind nationalism' and advocating for increased international cooperation to promote world peace.
25 Dec 1930 German Film 'Storm over Mont Blanc' Premieres: The German film 'Storm over Mont Blanc', directed by Arnold Fanck and starring Leni Riefenstahl, premiered in Dresden, representing an important moment in early German cinema and mountaineering film genre.
26 Dec 1930 Uneventful Day in 1930: While no specific major historical events were recorded for December 26, 1930, this day occurred during the interwar period, a time of significant global economic and political transition following World War I and preceding World War II. The world was in the midst of the Great Depression, which had profound economic impacts across many countries.
27 Dec 1930 Deadly Landslide Strikes Wedding Celebration in Algiers: On December 27, 1930, a catastrophic landslide devastated a wedding celebration in Algiers, Algeria, resulting in the tragic loss of thirty lives. The natural disaster occurred following an extended period of heavy rainfall, which destabilized the surrounding terrain. The landslide crashed down upon the house where the wedding festivities were taking place, instantly transforming a joyous occasion into a scene of immense tragedy and grief.
28 Dec 1930 Gandhi's Journey to Britain for Independence Talks: Mahatma Gandhi embarked on a significant diplomatic voyage to London, United Kingdom, to engage in critical negotiations regarding India's independence from British colonial rule. This journey represented a pivotal moment in India's struggle for self-determination, with Gandhi preparing to present the case for Indian sovereignty through peaceful, non-violent means of political dialogue.
29 Dec 1930 Iqbal's Two-Nation Theory Presidential Address: Sir Muhammad Iqbal delivered a groundbreaking presidential address in Allahabad, introducing the influential Two-Nation Theory. This seminal speech outlined a visionary concept for a separate Muslim homeland, which would later play a crucial role in the eventual creation of Pakistan. Iqbal's address was a pivotal moment in the political and cultural discourse of the Indian subcontinent.
30 Dec 1930 Colonial National Monument Established: President Herbert Hoover officially proclaimed the Colonial National Monument in Virginia, preserving significant historical sites related to early American colonial history. This proclamation helped protect and commemorate important cultural and historical landscapes in the region, highlighting the significance of preserving America's colonial heritage.
31 Dec 1930 Chocolate Chip Cookie Invented: Ruth Wakefield created the chocolate chip cookie at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, inadvertently launching one of the most popular desserts in American culinary history.