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

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

01 Oct 1930 End of British Rule in Weihaiwei: On this date, British colonial control of Weihaiwei, a strategic coastal area in China's Shandong Province, officially concluded. The territory was returned to Chinese sovereignty, marking another step in China's gradual liberation from foreign imperial control during the early 20th century.
02 Oct 1930 Uneventful Day in Global History: October 2, 1930, appears to be a relatively quiet day with no significant documented historical events. This was during the interwar period, a time of economic recovery and political tension following the 1929 stock market crash. While no major global events were recorded on this specific date, it represents a moment of relative calm in a decade marked by significant social and economic transformations.
03 Oct 1930 East Texas Oil Field Discovery: On October 3, 1930, a monumental oil discovery occurred on Daisy Bradford's Farm in East Texas, which would become one of the most significant oil finds in the continental United States. This discovery dramatically transformed the regional and national energy landscape, triggering an economic boom and establishing Texas as a crucial center of petroleum production in the early 20th century.
04 Oct 1930 Cuban Congress Suspends Constitutional Rights: In a controversial move, the Cuban Congress acceded to President Gerardo Machado's request to suspend constitutional rights in and around Havana, effectively limiting civil liberties in the lead-up to the national elections. This action signaled the growing authoritarian tendencies of Machado's regime and represented a significant erosion of democratic processes in Cuba during the early 20th century.
05 Oct 1930 British R101 Airship Disaster: The British airship R101 catastrophically crashed near Beauvais, France, during its maiden voyage from London to Karachi, resulting in a tragic loss of 48 lives. Only six passengers survived this devastating aviation accident, which marked a significant setback for British airship technology and imperial transportation ambitions.
06 Oct 1930 Birth of Richie Benaud, Cricket Legend: Richie Benaud was born on this date, who would later become one of Australia's most iconic cricket players and subsequently a renowned cricket commentator. Known for his exceptional leg spin bowling and later his articulate and measured commentary style, Benaud became a pivotal figure in cricket history, influencing the sport both on and off the field.
07 Oct 1930 Stock Market Continues Decline Following 1929 Crash: The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued its dramatic downturn, closing at 192 points – a stark decline representing less than half of its peak value from September 3, 1929. This persistent market depression signaled the deepening economic challenges of the early stages of the Great Depression.
08 Oct 1930 Philadelphia Athletics Win 1930 World Series: The Philadelphia Athletics defeated the Saint Louis Cardinals in the 27th World Series, winning the championship four games to two. The final game saw the Athletics triumph with a decisive 7-1 victory, securing their second consecutive World Series title.
09 Oct 1930 Stock Market Decline During Great Depression: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dramatically fell below 200 points, closing at 192 points. This significant drop represented less than half of the market's value from its peak on September 3, 1929, signaling the deepening economic crisis of the Great Depression.
10 Oct 1930 R101 Airship Memorial Service: A solemn memorial service was held in Westminster Hall to honor the 48 victims of the R101 airship disaster. Thousands of mourners paid their respects, filing past the flag-draped coffins of those who perished in this tragic aviation accident.
11 Oct 1930 Jawaharlal Nehru Released from Naini Central Prison: Prominent Indian independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru was released from Naini Central Prison, marking a significant moment in the Indian independence movement. His imprisonment and subsequent release were part of the broader struggle against British colonial rule.
12 Oct 1930 Large Anti-Nazi Rally in Berlin Highlights Political Tensions: On October 12, 1930, approximately 100,000 German socialists gathered in Berlin for a massive anti-Nazi demonstration organized by Reichstag President Paul Löbe. The rally exposed the growing political polarization in Weimar Germany, with Nazi supporters attempting to disrupt the event by heckling participants. Tensions escalated as isolated physical confrontations broke out, resulting in 38 arrests. This event symbolized the increasing political friction between socialist groups and the rising Nazi movement in the early years of the Great Depression.
13 Oct 1930 Nazi Storming in Berlin: On October 13, 1930, approximately 300 Nazi party members, dressed in civilian attire, launched a violent demonstration in downtown Berlin. As the Reichstag convened for its first session following the September 14 elections, these militants systematically targeted Jewish-owned businesses, smashing windows and creating an atmosphere of intimidation by firing pistols into the air. This event was an early manifestation of the rising antisemitic and political tensions in Germany during the Weimar Republic period.
14 Oct 1930 Finnish Presidential Couple Kidnapped by Far-Right Movement: K. J. Ståhlberg, the first President of Finland, and his wife Ester were forcibly abducted from their home by members of the extreme right-wing Lapua Movement, highlighting the political tensions and radical political movements in Finland during the interwar period.
15 Oct 1930 Mass Unemployment Protest in Berlin: On October 15, 1930, half a million unemployed Germans, including 126,000 striking metal workers, staged a massive demonstration in Berlin. This protest highlighted the severe economic distress and social tensions in Germany during the early years of the Great Depression, reflecting growing worker dissatisfaction and economic instability.
16 Oct 1930 Deadly Cyclone in Bay of Bengal Devastates Southern India: On October 16, 1930, a catastrophic cyclone struck the Bay of Bengal, causing massive destruction in the regions south of Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. The natural disaster resulted in an estimated 40,000 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest tropical cyclones in the recorded history of the Indian subcontinent. The storm's immense power and the lack of advanced warning systems at the time contributed to the high loss of life, primarily affecting coastal communities and agricultural regions.
17 Oct 1930 Large Anti-Nazi Rally in Berlin: A massive anti-Nazi demonstration organized by Reichstag President Paul Löbe drew approximately 100,000 German socialists in Berlin. The rally was marked by tension, with Nazi supporters heckling the protesters and isolated physical confrontations erupting. Local authorities made 38 arrests during the event, highlighting the growing political polarization in Germany.
18 Oct 1930 Record-Breaking Horse Racing Achievement: Joseph Sylvester made horse racing history by becoming the first jockey to win an unprecedented seven races in a single day, a remarkable feat of skill, endurance, and racing prowess that set a new standard in the sport.
19 Oct 1930 Uneventful Day in 1930: While no specific major historical events were recorded for October 19, 1930, this period was part of the interwar years between World War I and World War II. The global context during this time was marked by economic challenges following the Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash of 1929. Many countries were experiencing significant economic and social transformations during this era.
20 Oct 1930 Passfield White Paper on Palestine Governance: The British government released the Passfield White Paper, proposing a nuanced approach to governance in Palestine by suggesting increased self-government for both Jews and Arabs. This policy sparked controversy, particularly among Zionist leaders who viewed it as a potential retreat from the promises of the 1917 Balfour Declaration.
21 Oct 1930 Hope Simpson Enquiry on Palestine Published: The Hope Simpson Enquiry, a critical investigation into the socio-political conditions in British-mandated Palestine, was released on October 21, 1930. Conducted by Sir John Hope Simpson, the report examined land ownership, immigration, and economic conditions, providing crucial insights into the complex tensions between Jewish immigrants and Arab residents during the interwar period.
22 Oct 1930 Constitutional Amendment in Egypt: Egypt enacted a significant constitutional amendment that removed the parliamentary oversight of the cabinet, potentially altering the country's political power dynamics and governance structure.
23 Oct 1930 Chiang Kai-shek's Religious Conversion: On October 23, 1930, Chiang Kai-shek, the influential Chinese political and military leader, underwent a baptism ceremony in Shanghai, formally converting to Christianity. This personal religious transformation would later influence his political ideology and leadership approach during a critical period in modern Chinese history.
24 Oct 1930 Brazilian Revolution of 1930: End of First Republic: A bloodless coup d'état in Brazil ended the First Republic, marking the transition from the old oligarchic system to the Vargas Era. President Washington Luis Pereira de Sousa was peacefully removed from power, and Getulio Dornelles Vargas was installed as the new provisional president, fundamentally reshaping Brazil's political landscape.
25 Oct 1930 First Transcontinental Air Service Launched in the United States: On October 25, 1930, a historic milestone in American aviation was achieved with the inauguration of the first scheduled transcontinental air service. This groundbreaking event marked a significant advancement in transportation technology, connecting the East and West coasts of the United States by air for the first time with a regular, reliable passenger service.
26 Oct 1930 Jessie Miller's Transcontinental Flight Record: Australian pilot Jessie Miller made aviation history by setting a new women's transcontinental flight record, flying from Los Angeles to New York in an impressive 21 hours and 47 minutes. Her achievement was a significant milestone for women in aviation, demonstrating skill, courage, and breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated field.
27 Oct 1930 Mussolini's Provocative Speech at Palazzo Venezia: Benito Mussolini delivered a provocative speech at the Palazzo Venezia, envisioning a 'Fascist Europe' and criticizing international diplomacy. He accused European nations of hypocrisy, claiming they spoke of peace at the League of Nations while simultaneously preparing for war. Mussolini portrayed Italy's armament efforts as purely defensive.
28 Oct 1930 First Sound Color Cartoon Debuts: On October 28, 1930, a groundbreaking milestone in animation history occurred with the creation of the first sound color cartoon. This technological innovation marked a significant leap forward in the entertainment industry, combining synchronized audio with vibrant color animation techniques.
29 Oct 1930 Birth of Niki de Saint Phalle: Niki de Saint Phalle, a renowned French sculptor, painter, and filmmaker, was born. She would become a significant figure in the modern art movement, known for her vibrant, large-scale sculptures and innovative artistic techniques.
30 Oct 1930 Birth of Clifford Brown: On October 30, 1930, Clifford 'Brownie' Brown was born, who would become a legendary jazz trumpeter and composer. Known for iconic compositions like 'Joy Spring' and 'Daahoud', Brown was a pivotal figure in the bebop and hard bop jazz movements, influencing generations of musicians despite his tragically short life.
31 Oct 1930 Uneventful Day in 1930: On October 31, 1930, no significant historical events were recorded. This day appears to have been a relatively quiet period during the interwar years, with no major political, social, or cultural developments noted in historical archives.