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

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

  • 01 May 1930 Pluto Named: A Celestial Milestone: Vesto Slipher officially proposes 'Pluto' as the name for the newly discovered dwarf planet at the Lowell Observatory. This naming marks a significant moment in astronomical history, with the name quickly gaining widespread acceptance in the scientific community.
  • 02 May 1930 Canada Introduces Dunning Tariff in Economic Response to U.S.: Canada's Finance Minister introduced the Dunning Tariff, a significant economic policy measure responding to the U.S. Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. This was the most substantial tariff revision since 1907, strategically designed to raise duties on American goods while providing preferential treatment to British imports, reflecting the complex international trade dynamics of the early 20th century.
  • 03 May 1930 Canada Introduces Dunning Tariff in Response to U.S. Trade Policy: Canada's Finance Minister implemented the Dunning Tariff, the most significant tariff revision since 1907, as a direct response to the United States' Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. The new tariff strategically raised duties on American goods while simultaneously providing preferential treatment to British imports, reflecting the complex economic and diplomatic tensions of the era.
  • 04 May 1930 Mahatma Gandhi's Arrest in Yeravda Central Prison: On May 4, 1930, British colonial authorities arrested Mahatma Gandhi and imprisoned him in Yeravda Central Prison, a significant moment in India's non-violent independence struggle. This arrest was part of the broader Civil Disobedience Movement, which challenged British colonial rule through peaceful resistance.
  • 05 May 1930 Mahatma Gandhi's Arrest at Karadi: Mahatma Gandhi was arrested at Karadi, near Dandi, during his civil disobedience movement against British colonial rule. This arrest was part of his non-violent resistance strategy that would ultimately contribute to India's independence.
  • 06 May 1930 Gandhi Arrest Riots in India: Widespread rioting erupted across India following the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement. The unrest resulted in approximately 20 fatalities, demonstrating the intense political tensions and growing resistance against British colonial rule.
  • 07 May 1930 Senate Rejects Hoover's Supreme Court Nominee: The U.S. Senate rejected President Herbert Hoover's Supreme Court Justice nominee, John J. Parker, in a close vote of 39 in favor and 41 against his confirmation. This politically significant event highlighted the challenges of judicial appointments during the early Great Depression era.
  • 08 May 1930 Devastating Burma Earthquake: A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern Burma (present-day Myanmar), causing widespread destruction and claiming at least 500 lives. The seismic event highlighted the region's significant geological vulnerability and the challenges of disaster response in early 20th-century Southeast Asia.
  • 09 May 1930 Racial Violence and Courthouse Lynching in Sherman, Texas: A horrific incident of racial violence occurred in Sherman, Texas, where a mob attacked the courthouse during the trial of George Hughes, an African-American man accused of assaulting his white employer's wife. The mob burned down the courthouse, retrieved Hughes' body from the vault, dragged it behind an automobile, and hanged it from a tree. The violence escalated to looting black-owned businesses, prompting the deployment of National Guard troops to restore order.
  • 10 May 1930 Martial Law in Sherman, Texas: Texas Governor Dan Moody declares martial law in the city of Sherman, deploying the state national guard to arrest 14 rioters, indicating significant civil unrest.
  • 11 May 1930 New York Crime Statistics Report of 1929: New York Police Commissioner Whalen released an official report analyzing crime trends in the city for the year 1929. The report revealed a nuanced picture of urban crime: while overall violent crime decreased by 11% compared to 1928, the number of murders showed a slight increase, rising from 339 to 357 homicides.
  • 12 May 1930 Arrest of Abbas Tyabji During Indian Civil Disobedience Movement: Abbas Tyabji, a prominent Indian nationalist and acting leader of the civil disobedience movement following Mahatma Gandhi's arrest, was detained in Navsari along with his immediate followers. This arrest was a significant moment in India's struggle for independence, demonstrating the British colonial authorities' efforts to suppress the growing nationalist movement.
  • 13 May 1930 Abbas Tyabji Arrested During Indian Civil Disobedience Movement: Abbas Tyabji, who was serving as the acting leader of the Indian civil disobedience movement following Mahatma Gandhi's arrest, was himself detained in Navsari along with his immediate followers. This arrest was a significant moment in India's struggle for independence, demonstrating the British colonial authorities' efforts to suppress the growing nationalist movement.
  • 14 May 1930 Death of Fridtjof Nansen: Fridtjof Nansen, the renowned Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away at the age of 68. Known for his Arctic expeditions and humanitarian work, Nansen was a pivotal figure in polar exploration and international refugee assistance.
  • 15 May 1930 Sarojini Naidu Leads Nonviolent Protest at Dharasana Salt Works: On May 15, 1930, Sarojini Naidu led a peaceful demonstration of volunteers at the Dharasana salt works during India's Salt Satyagraha movement. When confronted by police, the protesters employed nonviolent resistance by sitting down and waiting throughout the day, embodying Mahatma Gandhi's principles of civil disobedience against British colonial salt taxation laws.
  • 16 May 1930 Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Elected President of Dominican Republic: Rafael Leónidas Trujillo was democratically elected as president of the Dominican Republic, marking the beginning of his long and controversial political reign. This election would initiate a 31-year authoritarian rule that significantly shaped the nation's political landscape until his assassination in 1961.
  • 17 May 1930 French Troop Withdrawal from Rhineland: French Prime Minister André Tardieu made a strategic decision to withdraw the remaining French occupation troops from the Rhineland region of Germany. This withdrawal was scheduled to be completed by June 30, 1930, marking a significant diplomatic and geopolitical moment in the post-World War I era.
  • 18 May 1930 Austrian Heimwehr Rejects Democracy: On May 18, 1930, the Austrian Heimwehr, a right-wing paramilitary organization, publicly declared their opposition to democratic governance and openly expressed support for a dictatorial political system during their annual meeting. This declaration signaled growing anti-democratic sentiment in Austria during the tumultuous interwar period, reflecting the broader political instability in Europe at the time.
  • 19 May 1930 Indian Civil Disobedience Movement - Servants' Resistance: During the Indian civil disobedience movement, servants demonstrated their solidarity by refusing to provide services to individuals wearing foreign-made fabrics. This act of resistance was part of the broader non-violent protest strategy led by Mahatma Gandhi to challenge British colonial rule and promote indigenous economic self-sufficiency.
  • 20 May 1930 Sir Oswald Mosley Resigns from Government Position: Sir Oswald Mosley resigned as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on May 20, 1930, due to fundamental disagreements with Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald regarding the government's unemployment policy. He was subsequently replaced by Clement Attlee, signaling potential political shifts in British governance.
  • 21 May 1930 Sarojini Naidu's Arrest at Dharasana: On May 21, 1930, prominent Indian independence leader Sarojini Naidu was arrested at Dharasana while leading a group of volunteers in a peaceful protest at the salt works, as part of Mahatma Gandhi's broader civil disobedience movement against British colonial rule.
  • 22 May 1930 Harvey Milk's Birth: Harvey Milk, a groundbreaking American politician and LGBTQ+ rights activist, was born on this date. He would later become the first openly gay elected official in California and a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement.
  • 23 May 1930 Uneventful Day in 1930: While no specific major historical events were recorded for May 23, 1930, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many days in history pass without dramatic global events, yet local, personal, or incremental developments continue to shape human experience.
  • 24 May 1930 Amy Johnson's Historic Solo Flight from England to Australia: English aviator Amy Johnson completed her groundbreaking 11,000-mile solo flight by landing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Her remarkable journey, which began on May 5th, 1930, marked a significant milestone in aviation history and women's achievements in exploration.
  • 25 May 1930 Death of Archbishop Randall Davidson: On May 25, 1930, Randall Davidson, the influential Archbishop of Canterbury from 1903 to 1928, passed away at the age of 82. Davidson was a significant ecclesiastical leader who played a crucial role in the Anglican Church during the early 20th century, navigating complex religious and social changes of his era.
  • 26 May 1930 Chrysler Building Unveiled: The iconic Chrysler Building in New York City dramatically revealed its sharp, glistening spire as the scaffolding was removed, marking its completion as the world's tallest building at the time. This architectural marvel symbolized the Art Deco era's technological and design achievements.
  • 27 May 1930 Chrysler Building Opens in New York City: The iconic Chrysler Building, standing at 1,046 feet (319 meters), opens to the public in New York City. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world, symbolizing the architectural and engineering prowess of the Art Deco era. Designed by architect William Van Alen for automotive pioneer Walter P. Chrysler, the building became an instant landmark of Manhattan's skyline.
  • 28 May 1930 Chrysler Building Officially Opens in New York City: The iconic Chrysler Building, a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture designed by William Van Alen, was officially inaugurated in New York City. At the time of its completion, it briefly held the title of the world's tallest building before being surpassed by the Empire State Building.
  • 29 May 1930 Animal Rights Activists Disrupt Controversial Bullfight in Paris: On May 29, 1930, a passionate group of 600 members from the French Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) staged a dramatic protest against a bullfighting event in Paris. Despite bullfighting being technically illegal in France at the time, promoters had claimed the event would not involve bloodshed. The activists dramatically interrupted the event by throwing smoke bombs and other projectiles, causing significant disruption. The protest resulted in the arrest of seventeen women, highlighting the intense emotions surrounding animal rights and entertainment practices of the era.
  • 30 May 1930 William 'Red' Hill's Niagara Rapids Adventure: Canadian daredevil William 'Red' Hill embarked on a perilous journey through the treacherous rapids of the Niagara River on May 30, 1930. Seeking to demonstrate extraordinary courage and skill, Hill navigated the dangerous waters while enclosed in a protective steel barrel, starting from the base of Niagara Falls.
  • 31 May 1930 Clint Eastwood Born in San Francisco: Legendary American actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood was born in San Francisco, California, who would later become an iconic figure in Hollywood, known for his roles in Western films and as an acclaimed director.