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

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

01 Dec 1931 Establishment of the Royal Canadian Mint: On December 1, 1931, the Ottawa branch of the British Royal Mint officially began operations as the Royal Canadian Mint, transitioning under the direct control of the Canadian Finance Department. This marked a significant milestone in Canada's financial autonomy, creating a national institution responsible for producing and managing the country's currency.
02 Dec 1931 Birth of Edwin Meese: Edwin Meese III, who would later serve as the United States Attorney General from 1985 to 1988, was born in Oakland, California on December 2, 1931. He was a key figure in the Reagan administration and played a significant role in shaping legal and political policy during the 1980s.
03 Dec 1931 Statute of Westminster Grants Legislative Independence to British Dominions: The British Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster, a landmark legislation that granted complete legislative independence to the major dominions of the British Empire. This historic act provided equal legal status to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and Newfoundland, marking a significant step in the evolution of the British Commonwealth and the gradual dissolution of imperial control.
04 Dec 1931 Frankenstein Film Premiere at Mayfair Theatre: The classic horror film adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel 'Frankenstein' premiered at the Mayfair Theatre, marking a significant moment in early cinematic horror history. Directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff as the iconic monster, this film would become a landmark in the horror genre and establish many visual tropes associated with the Frankenstein character.
05 Dec 1931 Gandhi Returns from England: Mahatma Gandhi left England to return to India, expressing a clear conscience and having exhausted every approach to peace. In Paris, he delivered a speech at the Magic-City dance hall to an audience of 2,000 people, taking questions and sharing his perspectives.
06 Dec 1931 Marģers Skujenieks Returns as Latvian Prime Minister: On December 6, 1931, Marģers Skujenieks assumed the role of Prime Minister of Latvia for the second time, marking a significant moment in Latvia's interwar political landscape. Skujenieks, a prominent political figure, was known for his leadership during a challenging period of democratic governance in Latvia.
07 Dec 1931 Leadership Change in Italian Fascist Party: In a significant political transition within the National Fascist Party of Italy, Giovanni Giuriati resigned from his position as Secretary. He was immediately succeeded by Achille Starace, marking a potential shift in the party's internal leadership and strategic direction during the early years of Fascist rule.
08 Dec 1931 Jane Addams Receives Nobel Peace Prize: Jane Addams became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her groundbreaking social work, advocacy for women's rights, and international peace efforts.
09 Dec 1931 Spanish Constitution of the Second Republic: The Constituent Cortes approves a new constitution, formally establishing the legal and political framework of the Second Spanish Republic, emphasizing democratic principles and civil liberties.
10 Dec 1931 Jane Addams Receives Nobel Peace Prize: Jane Addams becomes the first American woman to be named a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her groundbreaking work in social reform, peace activism, and women's rights.
11 Dec 1931 Statute of Westminster 1931: The British Parliament establishes legislative equality between the United Kingdom and the self-governing Dominions of the Commonwealth, including Australia, Canada, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland. This landmark legislation grants these dominions full legal freedom to manage their own affairs and create laws without British parliamentary approval.
12 Dec 1931 Gandhi's Meeting with Mussolini: Mahatma Gandhi met with Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini in Rome for a diplomatic discussion lasting approximately thirty minutes. The conversation was conducted through an interpreter, representing a rare direct interaction between two influential political figures of the era.
13 Dec 1931 Japan Abandons Gold Standard: On December 13, 1931, Japan made a significant economic decision by going off the gold standard. This move was part of a global trend during the Great Depression, aimed at providing monetary flexibility and potentially stimulating the domestic economy during a period of severe economic downturn.
14 Dec 1931 First National Socialist Movement Meeting in Utrecht: Anton Mussert organized the inaugural assembly of the Dutch National Socialist Movement (NSB) in Utrecht, marking a significant moment in the rise of fascist ideology in the Netherlands during the interwar period.
15 Dec 1931 Chiang Kai-shek Resigns as President of Republic of China: On December 15, 1931, Chiang Kai-shek resigned from his position as President of the Republic of China. He was succeeded by Lin Sen, marking a significant transition in Chinese political leadership during a tumultuous period of internal conflict and external pressures, including Japanese expansionism in Manchuria.
16 Dec 1931 Formation of the Iron Front in Germany: The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) established the Eiserne Front (Iron Front), a paramilitary organization dedicated to combating the rising tide of fascism in Weimar Germany. This organization was formed in response to the growing threat of Nazi and other far-right paramilitary groups, aiming to protect democratic values and resist the spread of authoritarian ideologies.
17 Dec 1931 Japan Suspends Gold Standard: On December 17, 1931, Japan made a significant economic decision by suspending the gold standard, which was a pivotal moment in the country's monetary policy during the global economic turmoil of the Great Depression. This move effectively decoupled the Japanese yen from gold, allowing for more flexible monetary management and potentially helping to stimulate the nation's struggling economy.
18 Dec 1931 Noel McGregor: New Zealand Cricket Player: Noel McGregor was a notable New Zealand cricket player who represented his country in international Test cricket. During his career spanning from 1955 to 1965, McGregor participated in 25 Test matches, contributing to the national cricket team's performance during a significant period of New Zealand's sporting history.
19 Dec 1931 Joseph A. Lyons Becomes Australian Premier: Joseph A. Lyons of the United Australia Party (Conservative) was elected as the Premier of Australia, marking a significant political transition during the early 1930s economic challenges.
20 Dec 1931 Birth of Mala Powers: Mala Powers, a notable American film actress, was born in San Francisco on December 20, 1931. She would later become known for her contributions to cinema during the mid-20th century.
21 Dec 1931 Japanese Offensive in Manchuria: Japanese Imperial Army launched the Jinzhou Operation in Manchuria, escalating military tensions in the region. This offensive was part of Japan's broader strategic expansion in Northeast China, which would eventually lead to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo and heighten regional conflicts preceding World War II.
22 Dec 1931 Vatican Library Roof Collapse Tragedy: On December 22, 1931, a devastating structural failure occurred at the Vatican Library when its roof partially collapsed. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of five lives and the destruction of approximately 800 irreplaceable historical books and manuscripts. The collapse highlighted the vulnerability of historical archives and the importance of maintaining critical cultural infrastructure.
23 Dec 1931 Death of Tyrone Power Sr., American Actor: Tyrone Power Sr., a prominent American actor known for his roles in films like 'Big Trial' and 'Test of Donald Norton', passed away at the age of 62. He was a notable performer in the early Hollywood era, contributing to the development of American cinema during the silent and early sound film periods.
24 Dec 1931 Unemployed Riots in Paris During Great Depression: On December 24, 1931, amid the economic hardships of the Great Depression, several hundred unemployed workers staged a violent protest in a Montmartre café in Paris. The rioters, driven by desperation and hunger, invaded the establishment and caused significant property damage, injuring twenty people while shouting demands for 'work and bread'. This incident highlighted the severe social tensions and economic distress prevalent in France during this challenging period.
25 Dec 1931 Admiral Nimitz at Pearl Harbor: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz arrives at Pearl Harbor to assume command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, a pivotal moment in naval leadership during the pre-World War II era.
26 Dec 1931 Of Thee I Sing Broadway Premiere: The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical play 'Of Thee I Sing' by George and Ira Gershwin opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre, representing a significant moment in American musical theater history.
27 Dec 1931 Nehru's Arrest during Indian Independence Movement: Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement, was arrested by British colonial authorities. This arrest was part of the ongoing struggle against British imperial rule in India, highlighting the intense political resistance of the time.
28 Dec 1931 Mahatma Gandhi Returns to India: Mahatma Gandhi returned to India, arriving by ship in Bombay (Mumbai) early in the morning. Despite the early hour, a massive crowd gathered to welcome the prominent independence leader, demonstrating his immense popularity and the public's support for his nationalist movement.
29 Dec 1931 Discovery of Heavy Water: Harold C. Urey publicly announced the identification of heavy water, a significant breakthrough in chemical and isotope research. This discovery would later prove crucial in nuclear physics and chemistry, providing insights into molecular structures and isotopic compositions.
30 Dec 1931 Finland Votes to End Prohibition: On December 30, 1931, Finland concluded a landmark two-day referendum on the national prohibition of alcohol. In a decisive vote, 70.5% of participants supported completely abolishing the prohibition, marking a significant shift in the country's social and legal approach to alcohol consumption. This referendum reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the prohibition era and signaled a major change in Finnish social policy.
31 Dec 1931 Huang He River Catastrophic Flood: One of the most devastating natural disasters in human history occurred when the Huang He (Yellow) River in China experienced a catastrophic flood, resulting in an estimated death toll between 850,000 and 4,000,000 people. This event highlighted the river's destructive potential and the vulnerability of populations living in flood-prone regions.