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

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

01 Feb 1931 Gandhi's Civil Disobedience Continues: The Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, unanimously voted to continue their civil disobedience campaign against British colonial rule. This decision represented a sustained commitment to non-violent resistance and was a crucial moment in India's struggle for independence.
02 Feb 1931 Reichstag Rejects Nazi League of Nations Withdrawal Demand: The foreign affairs committee of the Reichstag demonstrated political resistance by rejecting Nazi deputies' demand for Germany's withdrawal from the League of Nations, highlighting internal political tensions during the early stages of Nazi influence in German politics.
03 Feb 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake Devastates Napier: On February 3, 1931, a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand, causing massive destruction in the city of Napier. The earthquake was one of the most significant natural disasters in New Zealand's history, resulting in widespread structural damage and significant loss of life.
04 Feb 1931 Isabel Perón: Dancer and First Female President of Argentina: María Estela Martínez de Perón, known as Isabel Perón, was a dancer who later became the first female president of Argentina. She was the wife of Juan Perón and succeeded him as president after his death in 1974.
05 Feb 1931 Malcolm Campbell Sets Groundbreaking Land Speed Record: British racing driver Malcolm Campbell achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new land speed record of 245.733 miles per hour at Daytona Beach, Florida. This record-breaking performance demonstrated the rapid technological advancements in automotive engineering and human speed capabilities during the early 1930s.
06 Feb 1931 Political Tension in Japanese National Diet: Kijūrō Shidehara delivered a controversial speech in the Japanese National Diet regarding the London Naval Treaty, defending Emperor Hirohito's approval. The speech escalated tensions when an opposition member dramatically drew a dagger during the heated debate. The confrontation resulted in a physical brawl in an anteroom, with 12 individuals injured and Shidehara requiring heavy guard protection.
07 Feb 1931 Amelia Earhart Marries George P. Putnam: Pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart married publisher George P. Putnam in a brief five-minute ceremony in Noank, Connecticut. This marriage was notable not just as a personal union, but as a partnership between two influential personalities of the early 20th century, with Putnam supporting Earhart's groundbreaking aviation career.
08 Feb 1931 Devastating Fushun Coal Mine Disaster: A catastrophic gas explosion and subsequent fire occurred in the Fushun coal mine located in Manchuria, resulting in the tragic loss of 3,000 lives. The incident highlights the dangerous working conditions in early 20th-century coal mining operations and the significant human cost of industrial development during that era.
09 Feb 1931 South Wales Mining Strike Resolution: The prolonged South Wales mining strike concluded with a significant three-year peace settlement, bringing stability to the region's coal mining industry and providing economic relief to miners and mining companies. This agreement represented a crucial moment of negotiation between labor unions and mine owners during a challenging period of economic uncertainty.
10 Feb 1931 Nazi Deputies Boycott Reichstag: On February 10, 1931, the 107 Nazi deputies dramatically walked out of the Reichstag, initiating a parliamentary boycott. This protest was in response to new reforms that would remove parliamentary immunity from deputies facing pending legal proceedings, signaling growing political tension in the Weimar Republic.
11 Feb 1931 Philip Snowden's Economic Warning to Parliament: Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Snowden delivered a stark and sobering address to the House of Commons, highlighting the severe economic challenges facing Britain. He emphasized the critical state of the national budget, warning that unprecedented unemployment levels were placing extraordinary strain on the country's financial stability. Snowden stressed that without drastic measures, both budget equilibrium and industrial progress were at serious risk.
12 Feb 1931 Dracula Film Premiere: Bela Lugosi introduced film audiences to the iconic character of Count Dracula in the classic horror film *Dracula*, which premiered at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. Lugosi's portrayal would become the definitive representation of the vampire character in popular culture for decades to come.
13 Feb 1931 British Raj Capital Transfer to New Delhi: The British colonial administration completed its transfer of the capital from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to New Delhi, marking a significant administrative shift in British-controlled India.
14 Feb 1931 Scottsboro Boys Falsely Accused in Landmark Civil Rights Case: The Scottsboro Boys, a group of nine African-American teenagers, were falsely accused of rape in Alabama, triggering a significant civil rights legal battle that would expose deep racial injustices in the American judicial system.
15 Feb 1931 First Dracula Movie Released: The first cinematic adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic novel 'Dracula' was released, marking a pivotal moment in horror film history and establishing a template for vampire movies to come.
16 Feb 1931 Birth of Otis Blackwell: Otis Blackwell, a notable American songwriter and singer who would later influence rock and roll music, was born. He would go on to have a significant impact on popular music until his death in 2002.
17 Feb 1931 Gandhi-Irwin Conference: Mahatma Gandhi engaged in a significant four-hour conference with Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India. This meeting was likely part of the ongoing negotiations and discussions about India's independence movement during the British colonial period.
18 Feb 1931 Murder of Milan Šufflay, Croatian Intellectual: Milan Šufflay, a prominent Croatian politician, intellectual, and academic, was assassinated in Zagreb. Known for his scholarly work on Balkan history and his political advocacy for Croatian national interests, Šufflay was a significant figure in early 20th-century Croatian political and academic circles. His murder was believed to be politically motivated, highlighting the tense political climate of the time.
19 Feb 1931 Uneventful Day in 1931: While no specific major historical events were recorded for February 19, 1931, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. The early 1930s were a tumultuous period marked by the Great Depression, which was affecting economies and societies worldwide. During this time, many countries were experiencing significant economic challenges, social transformations, and political shifts, even on seemingly quiet days.
20 Feb 1931 Congressional Approval for Oakland Bay Bridge Construction: The United States Congress granted California permission to construct the Oakland-Bay Bridge, a significant infrastructure project that would connect San Francisco and Oakland, enhancing transportation and economic connectivity in the San Francisco Bay Area.
21 Feb 1931 First Aircraft Hijacking in Peru: On February 21, 1931, the first recorded aircraft hijacking in history took place in Arequipa, Peru. Peruvian revolutionaries seized a Ford Tri-Motor aircraft operated by Peruvian Airways and compelled the pilot to drop propaganda leaflets over Lima, marking a significant moment in aviation and political protest history.
22 Feb 1931 Mass Republican Demonstration in Berlin Against Anti-Democratic Forces: On February 22, 1931, a significant political demonstration unfolded in Berlin's Lustgarten, reflecting the growing tensions in the Weimar Republic. An estimated 40,000 German republicans gathered to publicly express their support for democratic principles and opposition to rising anti-democratic political movements. Simultaneously, 5,000 members of the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold (a pro-republican paramilitary organization) marched in uniform, symbolizing organized resistance against the growing threat of extremist political ideologies. The demonstration was not isolated, with similar protests reported in other German cities, though some locations experienced sporadic clashes, highlighting the volatile political climate of the time.
23 Feb 1931 Death of Dame Nellie Melba, Renowned Australian Soprano: Dame Nellie Melba (born Helen Mitchell) passed away, marking the end of a legendary operatic career. A world-famous soprano, Melba was one of Australia's most celebrated classical musicians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was known for her exceptional vocal technique and performances in major opera houses across Europe and the United States.
24 Feb 1931 Assassination Attempt on Cuban President Gerardo Machado: On February 24, 1931, Cuban President Gerardo Machado narrowly survived his second assassination attempt within 24 hours. Police quickly intervened and apprehended a young assailant who had attempted to take the president's life. This incident highlighted the political instability and growing opposition to Machado's increasingly authoritarian regime during this tumultuous period in Cuban history.
25 Feb 1931 World Unemployment Day Protests in Germany: On February 25, 1931, during the height of the Great Depression, the Communist Party of Germany organized large-scale demonstrations known as World Unemployment Day. These protests highlighted the severe economic hardship facing German workers, with mass unemployment and economic instability gripping the nation. The demonstrations turned violent, resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries, reflecting the intense social tensions of the era.
26 Feb 1931 La Placita Raid: A Dark Chapter in Immigration Enforcement: On February 26, 1931, a deeply controversial immigration enforcement action occurred in Los Angeles. Immigration agents conducted a massive raid at La Placita park, systematically sealing off all exits and arresting dozens of individuals, primarily targeting Mexican Americans. This traumatic event instilled widespread fear and terror within the Mexican American community, representing a stark example of discriminatory immigration practices of the era.
27 Feb 1931 Al Capone Sentenced for Contempt of Court: Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone was sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court in a landmark legal proceeding. Despite the sentence, he was immediately released on bond pending an appeal, highlighting the complex legal challenges surrounding his criminal activities during the Prohibition era.
28 Feb 1931 Oswald Mosley founds his New Party