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

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

01 Jan 1930 Start of the Great Depression: The Great Depression begins in the United States, marking the start of a severe worldwide economic downturn that would last until the late 1930s, causing widespread unemployment, poverty, and significant social and economic challenges.
02 Jan 1930 Indian National Congress Condemns Assassination Attempt: During a pivotal session of the Indian National Congress in Lahore, Mahatma Gandhi introduced a resolution strongly condemning the recent assassination attempt on Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India. Despite vocal opposition and cries of indignation, the motion was carried by a show of hands, reflecting the growing political tension and resistance against British colonial rule.
03 Jan 1930 George Washington Birthplace National Monument Established: On January 3, 1930, the National Park Service officially established the George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Westmoreland County, Virginia. This historic site preserves the location where the first President of the United States, George Washington, was born on February 22, 1732. The monument commemorates Washington's early life and provides visitors with insights into the colonial-era landscape and heritage of the region.
04 Jan 1930 Cadillac V-16 Debuts at National Automobile Show: The National Automobile Show opened at the Grand Central Palace in New York City, marking a significant moment in automotive history. The highlight of the event was the introduction of the Cadillac V-16, a groundbreaking luxury automobile that represented the pinnacle of engineering and design in the early automotive era.
05 Jan 1930 Soviet Collectivization Resolution: The Soviet Politburo formally adopts a comprehensive resolution mandating the complete collectivization of agricultural lands across the U.S.S.R. This policy would dramatically reshape rural economic structures, forcibly consolidating individual peasant landholdings into state-controlled collective farms, and lead to significant social upheaval, particularly targeting the kulak (wealthy peasant) class.
06 Jan 1930 First Diesel Engine Automobile Cross-Country Trip: A groundbreaking moment in automotive technology occurred when the first diesel engine automobile trip was completed, marking a significant milestone in transportation innovation. The journey was accomplished using a Packard sedan, showcasing the emerging potential of diesel-powered vehicles.
07 Jan 1930 Babe Ruth Contract Negotiations with New York Yankees: In a landmark moment for professional baseball, contract negotiations commenced between legendary baseball player Babe Ruth and New York Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert. Ruppert proposed a groundbreaking two-year contract worth $75,000 annually, which was an extraordinary sum for the era and reflected Ruth's immense popularity and athletic prowess. This negotiation underscored Ruth's status as the most prominent baseball player of his time and highlighted the growing commercialization of professional sports in the early 20th century.
08 Jan 1930 Royal Wedding of Princess Marie-José and Crown Prince Umberto: On January 8, 1930, Princess Marie-José of Belgium married Crown Prince Umberto of Italy in a significant royal union that connected two prominent European royal families. The wedding was a notable diplomatic and social event of the era, symbolizing the international relationships between Belgian and Italian monarchies during the interwar period.
09 Jan 1930 Edward Bok Birth Anniversary: Edward Bok, a prominent American author, journalist, and editor, was born on January 9, 1930. Known for his influential work in publishing and his contributions to American literature, Bok was a significant cultural figure who helped shape public discourse and literary standards during the early 20th century.
10 Jan 1930 League of Nations Celebrates Tenth Anniversary: The League of Nations commemorated its tenth year of existence, reflecting on its achievements and challenges in promoting international cooperation and preventing global conflicts in the interwar period.
11 Jan 1930 Tim Horton Born: Tim Horton, a Canadian ice hockey defenceman and co-founder of the iconic Tim Hortons coffee shop chain, was born in Cochrane, Ontario, Canada. His legacy extends beyond sports into a massive Canadian food service brand.
12 Jan 1930 Tim Horton Birth and Legacy: Tim Horton, a prominent Canadian hockey player and entrepreneur, was born in Cochrane, Ontario. He would later become famous not just for his professional hockey career as a defenceman, but also as the co-founder of the iconic Tim Hortons coffee shop chain.
13 Jan 1930 First Mickey Mouse Comic Strip Published: The first Mickey Mouse comic strip is published in the New York Mirror newspaper in the United States. The strip was initially written by Walt Disney and drawn by Ub Iwerks, marking a significant moment in animation and comic strip history.
15 Jan 1930 George Headley's Historic Cricket Debut: George Headley, a legendary West Indian cricket batsman, scored an extraordinary century on his debut match against England, achieving a remarkable 176 runs. This performance marked the beginning of his illustrious cricket career and set a significant precedent for West Indian cricket.
16 Jan 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill Legislative Proceedings Suspended: On the tenth anniversary of the Volstead Act's implementation, legislative work on the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill was suspended in the U.S. Congress. Lengthy speeches about the Volstead Act dominated proceedings in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, effectively halting progress on the tariff legislation.
17 Jan 1930 Birth of Eddie LeBaron, NFL Pioneer Quarterback: Eddie LeBaron was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, and would go on to become a groundbreaking quarterback in the early years of professional American football. Despite his small stature (5'7"), LeBaron played for the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys, becoming known as the 'Little General' for his strategic play and leadership on the field. He was one of the first notable quarterbacks of the modern NFL era and later transitioned to a successful career as an NFL executive.
18 Jan 1930 Ford Motor Company Expands to Cologne: On January 18, 1930, Ford Motor Company signed a significant agreement with the city of Cologne, Germany, to establish a large automobile manufacturing facility. This strategic expansion represented Ford's growing international presence and commitment to the European automotive market during the interwar period.
19 Jan 1930 Watsonville Anti-Filipino Riots: On January 19, 1930, a significant racial violence incident erupted in Watsonville, California, where white mobs numbering up to 500 people systematically attacked Filipino farmworkers and their property. The riots were triggered by racial tensions, specifically after Filipino men were seen dancing with white women at a local dance hall, which provoked a violent racist response from the white community. These attacks represented a stark example of the systemic racism and xenophobia prevalent in early 20th-century California, targeting immigrant agricultural workers.
20 Jan 1930 The Lone Ranger Radio Debut: On January 20, 1930, WXYZ radio station in Detroit broadcast the first episode of 'The Lone Ranger', a groundbreaking radio drama that would become a cultural phenomenon. The show followed the adventures of a masked Texas Ranger who fought for justice in the Old West, accompanied by his Native American companion Tonto. This broadcast marked the beginning of a legendary media franchise that would later expand into television, comics, and film.
22 Jan 1930 Illinois State Record Low Temperature: On January 22, 1930, Mount Carroll, Illinois experienced an extraordinary cold snap, recording a bone-chilling state record low temperature of -35 degrees Fahrenheit (-37 degrees Celsius). This extreme weather event represents one of the most severe temperature recordings in Illinois state history, highlighting the potential for brutal winter conditions in the Midwestern United States.
23 Jan 1930 Pluto Photographed for the First Time: Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh captures the first photographic images of the planet Pluto at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, marking a groundbreaking moment in astronomical discovery and expanding human understanding of the solar system.
24 Jan 1930 New Zealand Cricket Milestone: Stewie Dempster's Test Century: On January 24, 1930, Stewie Dempster made history by scoring New Zealand's first cricket Test century, a significant achievement for the emerging national cricket team. His performance marked a pivotal moment in New Zealand's cricket development, demonstrating the country's growing prowess in international cricket.
26 Jan 1930 Indian National Congress Declares Independence Day: On January 26, 1930, the Indian National Congress formally declared January 26 as Independence Day, symbolically marking the pursuit of Poorna Swaraj (Complete Independence) from British colonial rule. This pivotal moment in Indian nationalist history would ultimately be realized 17 years later when India gained full independence in 1947.
27 Jan 1930 No Significant Historical Record for January 27, 1930: After thorough review, no notable historical events have been confirmed for this specific date. While the day passed during the interwar period, no unique or significant occurrences were documented in the available historical sources.
28 Jan 1930 First Field-Effect Transistor Patent Granted: Julius Edgar Lilienfeld was granted the first patent for a field-effect transistor in the United States, a groundbreaking moment in electronic technology that would later revolutionize computing and telecommunications.
29 Jan 1930 First Radiosonde Launch by Pavel Molchanov: Pavel Molchanov successfully launched a radiosonde from Slutsk in the Soviet Union, a pioneering moment in meteorological and atmospheric research. This early radiosonde launch represented a significant technological advancement in understanding upper atmospheric conditions and weather patterns.
30 Jan 1930 Soviet Dekulakization Campaign: The Soviet Politburo ordered a massive campaign of land confiscation from Kulaks (wealthy peasants), resulting in widespread executions, forced deportations, and significant social upheaval. This event was a critical part of Stalin's agricultural collectivization policy.
31 Jan 1930 Establishment of Communist Party of Vietnam: The Communist Party of Vietnam is officially established, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political history and setting the stage for future revolutionary movements.