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

Major Events of November 1930: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 1930 Coronation of Haile Selassie as Emperor of Ethiopia: On November 2, 1930, Haile Selassie was formally crowned as the Emperor of Ethiopia, marking a significant moment in Ethiopian history. This coronation symbolized the continuation of the Ethiopian monarchy and Selassie's vision for modernizing the country. Known as Ras Tafari Makonnen before his coronation, he was a progressive leader who sought to transform Ethiopia's political and social landscape, positioning the nation on the global stage.
- 02 Nov 1930 Coronation of Haile Selassie I: Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned as Haile Selassie I, becoming the 225th emperor of the Solomonic Dynasty of Ethiopia. This momentous event marked a significant transition in Ethiopian imperial history, symbolizing both continuity and modernization of the ancient monarchy.
- 03 Nov 1930 First Recorded Penicillin Cure: Cecil George Paine, a pathologist at Sheffield Royal Infirmary, achieves a groundbreaking medical milestone by successfully treating an eye infection using penicillin, marking an early breakthrough in antibiotic treatment.
- 04 Nov 1930 Republican Party Loses Congressional Majority: In the 1930 midterm elections, the Republican Party experienced significant electoral setbacks. Their congressional majorities were dramatically reduced: in the House of Representatives, they narrowly maintained control with a slim 218 to 216 margin, down from their previous 270 to 164 majority. Similarly, in the Senate, their majority shrank from 56-39 to a precarious 48-47 lead, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction during the early years of the Great Depression.
- 05 Nov 1930 3rd Academy Awards Ceremony: The 3rd Academy Awards were held at the Ambassador Hotel in London, with the groundbreaking war film 'All Quiet on the Western Front' winning the top award for Outstanding Production, marking a significant moment in early cinema history.
- 06 Nov 1930 1930 U.S. Midterm Elections: Republican Power Diminishes: During the 1930 U.S. Midterm Elections, President Herbert Hoover and the Republican Party experienced significant political setbacks. The elections reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the Republican leadership, particularly in the context of the ongoing Great Depression. The Republicans narrowly maintained control of the House of Representatives with a razor-thin majority of 218 to 216 seats. Similarly, their Senate majority dramatically shrunk from a commanding 56-39 advantage in 1928 to a precarious 48-47 lead. These results signaled a potential political realignment and foreshadowed the substantial Democratic gains that would occur in subsequent elections.
- 07 Nov 1930 Bank of Tennessee Collapses During Great Depression: The Bank of Tennessee failed and entered federal receivership, marking a critical moment in the early stages of the Great Depression. This bank's collapse triggered a cascading series of bank failures across the American South, as widespread panic led to massive bank runs. Depositors, fearing the loss of their savings, rapidly withdrew funds, further destabilizing the regional financial system and exacerbating the economic crisis.
- 08 Nov 1930 Premiere of 'Die Matrosen von Cattaro' by Friedrich Wolf: Friedrich Wolf's politically charged play 'Die Matrosen von Cattaro' premiered in Berlin, dramatizing a significant naval mutiny that occurred during World War I. The play, known for its strong anti-war and revolutionary themes, was part of the German expressionist theater movement of the early 20th century. Wolf, a prominent communist playwright, used the historical event of the Cattaro naval mutiny to critique militarism and advocate for workers' solidarity.
- 09 Nov 1930 Austrian Legislative Election of 1930: In a pivotal political moment, the Social Democratic Party secured victory in the Austrian legislative election. Notably, both the Communist and Nazi parties were completely shut out, failing to win any parliamentary seats. This election highlighted the complex political landscape of Austria during the interwar period and the strength of democratic forces against emerging extremist ideologies.
- 11 Nov 1930 Einstein-Szilárd Refrigerator Patent: Albert Einstein and Leó Szilárd were awarded United States Patent number US1781541 for their innovative Einstein refrigerator design, a groundbreaking invention that proposed an absorption refrigerator with no moving parts, using only heat as an input to create cooling.
- 12 Nov 1930 First Round Table Conference on Indian Independence: The First Round Table Conference was a pivotal diplomatic meeting held in London between the British government and key representatives of the Indian independence movement. This conference was a significant milestone in India's struggle for self-governance, bringing together British colonial administrators and Indian political leaders to discuss potential constitutional reforms and the future of British India. The conference aimed to address the growing demands for Indian self-rule and explore potential pathways to political autonomy.
- 13 Nov 1930 Constitutional Suspension and Civil Unrest in Cuba: On November 13, 1930, Cuban President Gerardo Machado suspended the Constitution for 25 days, triggering significant political tension. Concurrent riots in Havana escalated dramatically, resulting in 7 fatalities and highlighting the volatile political climate of the era. This event underscored the authoritarian nature of Machado's regime and the growing resistance against his increasingly dictatorial governance.
- 14 Nov 1930 Inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines: On November 14, 1930, Manuel Luis Quezon was sworn in as the first Filipino president, marking a significant milestone in the Philippines' journey towards self-governance. This event inaugurated the Commonwealth of the Philippines, a transitional period that preceded full independence from American colonial rule. Quezon's presidency symbolized growing Filipino political autonomy and national identity during a pivotal moment in the country's history.
- 15 Nov 1930 Birth of J.G. Ballard: J.G. Ballard, a pioneering and influential English novelist, short story writer, and essayist, was born in the Shanghai International Settlement, China. Known for his avant-garde science fiction and provocative literary style, Ballard would later become renowned for works like 'Crash' and 'Empire of the Sun', which often explored themes of technology, psychological alienation, and human adaptation to extreme environments.
- 16 Nov 1930 Polish Parliamentary Elections of 1930: On November 16, 1930, parliamentary elections were held in Poland, marking a significant political moment in the country's interwar period. The Nonpartisan Bloc for Cooperation with the Government (BBWR), closely associated with the influential statesman Józef Piłsudski, secured a decisive victory. The bloc won an absolute majority, capturing 249 out of 444 seats in the Sejm (Polish parliament), demonstrating Piłsudski's strong political influence and consolidating his semi-authoritarian regime's control over the legislative process.
- 17 Nov 1930 Madrid General Strike of 1930: A significant labor demonstration in Spain where approximately 200,000 workers and students participated in a general strike in Madrid. The strike also garnered sympathy support from workers in Barcelona, highlighting the growing labor tensions and political unrest in Spain during this period.
- 18 Nov 1930 Fascist Italy's Salary Reduction: Benito Mussolini's government implemented a significant austerity measure, reducing salaries of nearly one million government employees by 12-35% to address the national budget deficit. Even cabinet ministers, including Mussolini himself, were subject to the 12% pay cut, demonstrating a unified approach to economic challenges.
- 19 Nov 1930 Bonnie and Clyde's First Robbery: On November 19, 1930, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow committed their first documented robbery, marking the beginning of their infamous criminal partnership. This event would launch their notorious crime spree across the central United States, which would ultimately end in their dramatic deaths in 1934.
- 20 Nov 1930 Germany Considers Young Plan Payment Moratorium: German Foreign Minister Julius Curtius delivered a significant speech indicating potential financial challenges, suggesting Germany might need to request a moratorium on its Young Plan reparation payments. This statement reflects the economic strain Germany was experiencing during the interwar period, likely influenced by the global economic pressures following the Great Depression.
- 21 Nov 1930 Douglas MacArthur Becomes U.S. Army Chief of Staff: On November 21, 1930, Douglas MacArthur was officially sworn in as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, a pivotal moment in his distinguished military career. As a highly decorated World War I veteran and respected military leader, MacArthur would go on to play a crucial role in shaping U.S. military strategy during World War II and the Korean War. His appointment marked a significant period of modernization and strategic development for the U.S. Army in the interwar years.
- 22 Nov 1930 Founding of Nation of Islam: Elijah Muhammad established the Nation of Islam in Detroit, Michigan, a religious and social movement that would significantly impact African American civil rights and religious identity in the 20th century.
- 23 Nov 1930 German Cargo Ship Louise Leonhardt Sinks in North Sea Storm: The German cargo ship *Louise Leonhardt* was completely lost during a catastrophic North Sea storm, with all 31 crew members perishing in the maritime disaster. This tragic event underscored the perilous nature of maritime travel during challenging weather conditions.
- 24 Nov 1930 Ruth Nichols: First Woman Transcontinental Pilot: On November 24, 1930, Ruth Nichols made aviation history by becoming the first woman to complete a transcontinental air flight across the United States. Flying a Lockheed-Vega aircraft, she courageously navigated from Mineola, New York to California, a challenging journey that took her seven days. Her groundbreaking flight not only demonstrated women's capabilities in aviation but also pushed the boundaries of early 20th-century aerial exploration.
- 25 Nov 1930 Devastating Izu Peninsula Earthquake: A catastrophic earthquake struck the Izu Peninsula in Japan, resulting in 223 fatalities and causing extensive damage by destroying 650 buildings. This seismic event highlighted the region's vulnerability to geological instability.
- 26 Nov 1930 Berlin Students Arrested for Defying Duelling Ban: On November 26, 1930, Berlin police conducted a significant crackdown on student duelling culture, arresting 200 students who were publicly challenging the government's prohibition on the traditional practice. During the operation, law enforcement also seized a substantial number of rapiers and sabres, demonstrating the deeply ingrained cultural tradition of academic fencing among German university students.
- 27 Nov 1930 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific significant historical events were documented for November 27, 1930, this date falls within the interwar period between World War I and World War II. During this time, many countries were experiencing economic challenges following the Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash of 1929. Global political tensions were rising, and many nations were undergoing social and economic transformations.
- 28 Nov 1930 First Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race: The inaugural Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was launched, marking a significant milestone in Australian maritime sporting history. The race, which would become one of the most challenging and prestigious offshore sailing competitions in the world, began with a small group of enthusiastic sailors competing along the challenging coastal route between Sydney and Hobart.
- 29 Nov 1930 Shirley Porter Honored with DBE: Shirley Porter was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE), recognizing her significant contributions to public service or notable achievements in her field.
- 30 Nov 1930 Nazi Electoral Gains in Bremen: The Nazi Party won 32 of 120 seats in the Bremen state elections, becoming the second-largest party in the state legislature. The Social Democratic Party remained the dominant party with 40 seats, signaling the growing political influence of the Nazi movement in Germany during the early years of the Weimar Republic.