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Major Events of April 1931: 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 April 1931 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1931: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1931 Nazi Party Internal Conflict: Stennes Expelled: Walter Stennes, the Berlin SA (Sturmabteilung) commandant, was expelled from the Nazi Party after leading an internal rebellion within the Brownshirts. This event underscores the internal power struggles and ideological tensions within the Nazi organization during its early consolidation of power.
  • 02 Apr 1931 Jackie Mitchell Strikes Out Baseball Legends: Seventeen-year-old female baseball pitcher Jackie Mitchell made history by striking out two of baseball's most famous players, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, during an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and the minor league Chattanooga Lookouts. This remarkable feat challenged gender stereotypes in professional sports and became a legendary moment in baseball history.
  • 03 Apr 1931 Star Spangled Banner Becomes Official US National Anthem: On April 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution officially designating 'The Star-Spangled Banner' as the national anthem of the United States. Written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812, the song commemorates the American flag's resilience during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. This landmark legislation formalized a song that had already been used by the U.S. Navy and Army since 1889 and was popularly performed at public events.
  • 04 Apr 1931 Vere Ponsonby Appointed Governor General of Canada: On April 4, 1931, Vere Ponsonby, the 9th Earl of Bessborough, was officially installed as the Governor General of Canada. He succeeded the Earl of Willingdon, who was simultaneously appointed as the Viceroy of India. As the representative of the British monarch in Canada, Ponsonby would play a crucial role in the country's governance during the early years of the Great Depression.
  • 05 Apr 1931 Female Pitcher Strikes Out Baseball Legends: In a groundbreaking moment for women in sports, 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell made history during an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees. Mitchell, one of the first women to play in the all-male minor leagues, achieved an extraordinary feat by striking out two of baseball's most iconic players: Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Her remarkable performance challenged prevailing gender stereotypes and demonstrated women's athletic capabilities in a male-dominated sport.
  • 06 Apr 1931 Scottsboro Trials Begin - Landmark Racial Injustice Case: The first trial of the Scottsboro Boys began in Alabama, where nine young African American men were falsely accused of raping two white women. This case became a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, highlighting the systemic racism and judicial inequity in the American South during the early 20th century.
  • 07 Apr 1931 Walter Stennes Sues Nazi Leadership: Walter Stennes, a former Nazi Party member, initiated a legal action for libel against Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels, highlighting internal conflicts within the early Nazi movement.
  • 08 Apr 1931 Amelia Earhart Sets Altitude Record: Pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart set a remarkable world altitude record of 18,415 feet (5,613 m) by flying a Pitcairn PCA-2 autogyro near Philadelphia. This achievement highlighted her ongoing contributions to aviation and women's advancement in a male-dominated field.
  • 09 Apr 1931 Scottsboro Boys Trial: In a deeply controversial legal proceeding, eight of the nine Scottsboro Boys were convicted and sentenced to death, with a mistrial declared for the youngest defendant. This case became a landmark example of racial injustice in the American judicial system during the Jim Crow era.
  • 10 Apr 1931 Death of Kahlil Gibran, Influential Lebanese Poet and Writer: Kahlil Gibran, a renowned Lebanese-American poet, philosopher, and artist, passed away in New York City from tuberculosis. Known for his profound philosophical work 'The Prophet', Gibran was a pivotal figure in Arabic literature and a key contributor to the Mahjar literary movement, which bridged Arabic and Western literary traditions.
  • 11 Apr 1931 Proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic: On this historic day, Provisional President Niceto Alcalá-Zamora dramatically proclaimed the Second Spanish Republic from the balcony of the interior ministry building in Madrid. Thousands of citizens cheered, signaling a momentous political transformation that would reshape Spain's governance and social structure.
  • 12 Apr 1931 Spanish Second Republic Proclaimed: Municipal elections across Spain resulted in a decisive rejection of the monarchy, with republican candidates winning in 49 out of 50 provincial capitals. This electoral outcome effectively signaled the end of King Alfonso XIII's reign and paved the way for the establishment of the Spanish Second Republic.
  • 13 Apr 1931 Trial of Peter Kürten, the Düsseldorf Vampire: The trial of Peter Kürten, a notorious German serial killer known as the 'Vampire of Düsseldorf', commenced in Düsseldorf. Kürten was accused of committing nine brutal murders that shocked the local community and gained significant national attention. His heinous crimes involved multiple victims across different ages and backgrounds, making him one of the most infamous serial killers in early 20th-century Germany.
  • 14 Apr 1931 Spanish Cortes Deposes King Alfonso XIII: The Spanish Cortes (parliament) officially deposed King Alfonso XIII, marking a pivotal moment in Spanish political history. This legislative action effectively ended the Spanish monarchy and paved the way for democratic governance through the Second Spanish Republic.
  • 15 Apr 1931 DUPE: King Alfonso XIII Goes into Exile: King Alfonso XIII of Spain was forced into exile, marking a critical moment in Spanish political history during the transition towards the Second Spanish Republic.
  • 16 Apr 1931 Uneventful Day in 1931: While no major historical events were specifically documented for April 16, 1931, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen without immediate recognition or documentation. The year 1931 was a complex period marked by global economic challenges during the Great Depression, ongoing political tensions in Europe, and significant social transformations.
  • 17 Apr 1931 King Alfonso XIII Claims Continued Kingship of Spain: In a bold political statement, King Alfonso XIII declared his ongoing claim to the Spanish throne, expressing optimism that upcoming elections would restore him to power during the tumultuous period of the Spanish Second Republic's formation.
  • 18 Apr 1931 Earl of Willingdon Appointed Viceroy of India: Freeman Freeman-Thomas, the Earl of Willingdon, assumed the prestigious role of Viceroy of India on April 18, 1931. Prior to this appointment, he had served as the Governor General of Canada, bringing significant diplomatic and administrative experience to his new post. As Viceroy, he would play a crucial role in British colonial governance during a pivotal period of Indian history, which was marked by growing independence movements and political tensions.
  • 19 Apr 1931 Louis Chiron Triumphs at Monaco Grand Prix: On April 19, 1931, Louis Chiron, a legendary Monégasque racing driver, secured a remarkable victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. This win was particularly significant as Chiron was not only a participant but also a hometown hero, being the first and only native of Monaco to win the prestigious race at that time. His victory was a testament to his exceptional driving skills and deep understanding of the challenging street circuit.
  • 20 Apr 1931 British House of Commons Sunday Sports Legislation: In a landmark decision, the British House of Commons voted to permit sports activities on Sundays, marking a significant shift in traditional social and religious restrictions on weekend leisure activities.
  • 21 Apr 1931 Diplomatic Recognition of Spanish Republic by British Empire: On April 21, 1931, Great Britain and its Dominions officially extended diplomatic recognition to the newly formed Second Spanish Republic. This diplomatic move came shortly after the abdication of King Alfonso XIII, who had simultaneously arrived in London, marking a significant moment in Spain's transition from monarchy to republican governance.
  • 22 Apr 1931 Peter Kürten Death Sentence: Peter Kürten, a notorious German serial killer known as the 'Vampire of Düsseldorf', was sentenced to death for multiple murders, marking the end of his brutal criminal career.
  • 23 Apr 1931 The Public Enemy Film Premiere: The groundbreaking American gangster film 'The Public Enemy' premiered, starring Jean Harlow and James Cagney. Directed by William A. Wellman, the movie was a landmark in the gangster film genre, offering a gritty and realistic portrayal of criminal life during the Prohibition era. The film's raw depiction of violence and its complex character development significantly influenced future crime dramas and helped establish James Cagney as a leading Hollywood actor.
  • 24 Apr 1931 Roosevelt Vetoes Medicinal Liquor Prescription Bill: During the Prohibition era, New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt exercised his executive power by vetoing a state legislative bill that would have permitted physicians to prescribe alcoholic beverages for medicinal purposes. This decision reflected the complex legal and social landscape surrounding alcohol consumption and medical practice during the early 1930s.
  • 25 Apr 1931 Porsche Automobile Manufacturer Founded: Ferdinand Porsche officially establishes the Porsche automobile manufacturing company in Stuttgart, Germany. This momentous event marks the beginning of what would become one of the world's most prestigious and iconic automotive brands, known for high-performance sports cars and luxury vehicles.
  • 26 Apr 1931 Death of George Herbert Mead, Influential Philosopher: George Herbert Mead, a prominent American philosopher known for his significant contributions to social psychology and pragmatism, passed away. Mead was a key figure in developing theories about the self, social behaviorism, and symbolic interactionism.
  • 27 Apr 1931 Zangezur Earthquake: On April 27, 1931, a devastating earthquake struck the border region between Armenia and Azerbaijan, known as Zangezur. The seismic event resulted in a catastrophic loss of life, with nearly 3,000 people killed. This earthquake was one of the most significant natural disasters in the region during the early 20th century.
  • 28 Apr 1931 Women's Olympic Track and Field Events Expanded: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved a groundbreaking program for women athletes, expanding their participation in track and field events for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. This decision represented a significant milestone in gender equality in sports, providing more opportunities for female athletes to compete at the highest international level.
  • 29 Apr 1931 Notable Births on April 29, 1931: Two significant cultural figures were born on this day: Frank Auerbach, a renowned German-born British painter who would become a prominent figure in post-war art, and Lonnie Donegan, the influential British folk musician who would later be crowned 'The King of Skiffle' and significantly impact popular music.
  • 30 Apr 1931 Devastating Factory Explosion in Brazil: A catastrophic explosion occurred at an airplane bomb manufacturing facility near Niterói, Brazil, resulting in the tragic deaths of more than 50 workers. The blast involved approximately 1,000 tons of explosive materials, causing significant loss of life and likely extensive damage to the surrounding area.