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

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

  • 01 Feb 1930 Arnold Schoenberg's Opera Premiere in Frankfurt: On February 1, 1930, the renowned Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg's groundbreaking opera premiered at the Frankfurt Opera House. This performance was significant in the development of 20th-century classical music, as Schoenberg was a pioneering figure in atonal and twelve-tone compositional techniques. The opera likely challenged traditional musical structures and represented the avant-garde musical movements of the early modernist period.
  • 02 Feb 1930 Controversial Gavrilo Princip Memorial Plaque in Sarajevo: A contentious memorial plaque honoring Gavrilo Princip was unveiled in Sarajevo at the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The plaque bore an inscription claiming Princip initiated liberty on June 28, 1914. The Yugoslav government quickly distanced itself from the memorial, stating it was a private installation and not an official government endorsement.
  • 03 Feb 1930 Communist Party of Vietnam Founding: The Communist Party of Vietnam was established at a Unification Conference held in Kowloon, British Hong Kong, marking a significant moment in the political history of Vietnam. The party was formed through the merger of multiple communist organizations, including the Communist Party of Indochina, the Communist Party of Annam, and the Communist League of Indochina.
  • 04 Feb 1930 Establishment of Indochinese Communist Party: On February 4, 1930, the Indochinese Communist Party was formally established in Vietnam, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political evolution and anti-colonial resistance movement. This party would play a crucial role in Vietnam's struggle for independence and future political landscape.
  • 05 Feb 1930 Assassination Attempt on Mexican President Pascual Ortiz Rubio: Pascual Ortiz Rubio was inaugurated as President of Mexico, but just two hours after taking the oath of office, he was wounded in a dramatic assassination attempt. A gunman fired six shots at the presidential car, striking Ortiz in the jaw. The assailant was immediately arrested. Ortiz served as a figurehead president under the real political power, Plutarco Elias Calles, and would ultimately resign on September 4, 1932.
  • 06 Feb 1930 First American Nobel Prize Winner in 1930: In 1930, an American scientist or scholar became the first from the United States to be awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize, marking a significant milestone in the nation's academic and research achievements. This groundbreaking moment highlighted the growing intellectual prowess and international recognition of American scholarship.
  • 07 Feb 1930 Schleicher Cabinet Assumes Power in Weimar Republic: Kurt von Schleicher, a prominent German military and political figure, formed a new government in Germany during a tumultuous period of the Weimar Republic. This cabinet formation occurred during a time of significant political instability, with rising tensions between democratic forces and emerging nationalist movements.
  • 08 Feb 1930 Pope Condemns Soviet Christian Persecution: Pope Pius XI issued a strongly worded letter published in L'Osservatore Romano, officially denouncing the systematic persecution of Christians within the Soviet Union. This public statement highlighted the growing tensions between the Catholic Church and the Soviet regime's anti-religious policies.
  • 09 Feb 1930 Enrique Olaya Herrera Elected President of Colombia: On February 9, 1930, Enrique Olaya Herrera secured victory in the Colombian presidential election, defeating two other prominent candidates. He was set to assume office on August 7 for a four-year presidential term. Herrera's election was significant in Colombian political history, representing a potential shift in the nation's political landscape during a period of regional transformation.
  • 10 Feb 1930 Yên Bái Mutiny Against French Colonial Rule: The Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng (Vietnamese Nationalist Party) launched a significant but ultimately unsuccessful armed rebellion against French colonial authorities in Vietnam. This mutiny represented a critical moment in Vietnam's struggle for independence, targeting French military garrisons and attempting to spark a widespread uprising against colonial control.
  • 11 Feb 1930 No Notable Historical Events Recorded: While no specific significant historical events were documented for February 11, 1930, this date falls within the interwar period between World War I and World War II. During this time, global political, economic, and social dynamics were evolving, with rising tensions in Europe and economic challenges following the Great Depression.
  • 12 Feb 1930 Discovery of Pluto by Clyde Tombaugh: On February 12, 1930, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh made a groundbreaking astronomical discovery at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, when he first identified Pluto. This discovery expanded humanity's understanding of the solar system and added a ninth planet to our celestial knowledge. Pluto would later be reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006, but its discovery remains a significant milestone in astronomical research.
  • 13 Feb 1930 Charles Evans Hughes Confirmed as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court: On February 13, 1930, Charles Evans Hughes was confirmed by the United States Senate as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, receiving 52 votes in favor and 26 votes against. Hughes, a prominent legal and political figure, was set to officially take office on February 24, 1930. Prior to this appointment, Hughes had served as a Governor of New York, a Republican presidential candidate in 1916, and Secretary of State under President Warren G. Harding.
  • 14 Feb 1930 Engagement of Edda Mussolini and Galeazzo Ciano: On February 14, 1930, the engagement was announced between Edda Mussolini, daughter of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, and Galeazzo Ciano, a prominent Fascist politician who would later become Italy's Foreign Minister. This union represented a significant political alliance within the inner circle of Fascist leadership in Italy.
  • 15 Feb 1930 Death of Giulio Douhet, Air Power Pioneer: Giulio Douhet, a seminal Italian general and influential air power theorist who significantly shaped modern military aviation strategy, passed away at the age of 60. His groundbreaking theories on aerial warfare would profoundly impact military doctrine in the decades to follow.
  • 16 Feb 1930 First Female Senator in British Empire: On February 16, 1930, Cairine Wilson made history by becoming the first woman appointed to the Senate of Canada, breaking significant gender barriers in Canadian political representation and paving the way for future female politicians throughout the British Empire.
  • 17 Feb 1930 Fall of André Tardieu's Government: On February 17, 1930, the French government led by Prime Minister André Tardieu collapsed after being defeated by a narrow margin of six votes in the Chamber of Deputies. This political upheaval reflected the volatile nature of French parliamentary politics during the interwar period, highlighting the challenges of maintaining stable governance in the Third Republic.
  • 18 Feb 1930 Discovery of Pluto: Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto while carefully studying photographic plates taken in January, marking a significant milestone in astronomical exploration. This discovery expanded humanity's understanding of our solar system and added a ninth planet to scientific knowledge.
  • 19 Feb 1930 London Naval Conference Temporarily Adjourned: The London Naval Conference was temporarily suspended for one week to accommodate France's ongoing governmental transition. This diplomatic pause allowed French representatives time to establish a stable government delegation before resuming critical naval treaty negotiations.
  • 20 Feb 1930 Japanese House of Representatives Election: A significant democratic election was held in Japan for the 466 seats of the House of Representatives. The Constitutional Democratic Party (Minseitō), under the leadership of Prime Minister Osachi Hamaguchi, secured a decisive victory by winning 273 seats, establishing a clear parliamentary majority. This election represented an important moment in Japan's pre-World War II democratic process, highlighting the political dynamics of the Taishō period.
  • 21 Feb 1930 Camille Chautemps Becomes French Prime Minister: On February 21, 1930, Camille Chautemps assumed the role of Prime Minister of France, taking leadership during a period of political transition in the Third French Republic. Chautemps was a prominent Radical Party politician known for his moderate political stance and efforts to stabilize the French government during the interwar period.
  • 22 Feb 1930 Douaumont Ossuary Lighthouse Dedication: On the fourteenth anniversary of the Battle of Verdun, a memorial lighthouse was dedicated at the Douaumont Ossuary. The unique lighthouse was designed to commemorate the immense human sacrifice of World War I, featuring an alternating red and white light that would illuminate the cemetery grounds, symbolizing the blood and remembrance of fallen soldiers.
  • 23 Feb 1930 Spain Imposes Press Censorship: The Spanish government restored press censorship and banned public meetings and speeches in an attempt to suppress republican agitation. This action reflected the political tensions and authoritarian tendencies in Spain during the lead-up to the Spanish Civil War.
  • 24 Feb 1930 Charles Evans Hughes Confirmed as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court: On February 24, 1930, Charles Evans Hughes was confirmed by the United States Senate as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, receiving 52 votes in favor and 26 votes against. Hughes, a prominent legal and political figure, brought significant judicial experience to the role, having previously served as Governor of New York, Secretary of State, and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. His confirmation marked an important moment in the judicial leadership of the United States during the early 20th century.
  • 25 Feb 1930 Fall of Camille Chautemps Government: The Camille Chautemps government collapsed after less than a week in power following a failed confidence vote, highlighting the political instability in France during this period.
  • 26 Feb 1930 First Red and Green Traffic Lights in Manhattan: New York City's Manhattan district became the first location to install red and green traffic lights, a significant advancement in urban traffic management and road safety technology. This innovation would soon spread to other cities, revolutionizing traffic control.
  • 27 Feb 1930 Jake Paralysis Outbreak Begins: On February 27, 1930, the first documented case of 'Jake paralysis' emerged, marking the beginning of a significant public health incident. This outbreak was caused by consuming adulterated Jamaica ginger, which contained toxic substances leading to neurological complications.
  • 28 Feb 1930 Spanish Press Censorship Reinstated: The Spanish government restored press censorship and prohibited all public meetings and speeches, aiming to suppress growing republican political movements and limit public dissent during a turbulent period in Spanish political history.