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

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

  • 01 Jan 1931 United States National Anthem Officially Adopted: On January 1, 1931, 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was officially designated as the national anthem of the United States. This historic moment formalized the song's status, which was originally written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812, after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • 02 Jan 1931 Ernest Lawrence Invents the Cyclotron: Ernest Lawrence, a South Dakota native and physicist, invented the cyclotron, a groundbreaking particle accelerator that revolutionized nuclear physics research. This device allowed scientists to accelerate charged particles to high energies, enabling unprecedented studies of atomic and nuclear structures.
  • 03 Jan 1931 Einstein Begins Research at Caltech with Edwin Hubble: Albert Einstein collaborates with renowned astronomer Edwin Hubble at the California Institute of Technology, marking a significant moment in scientific research and collaboration between two groundbreaking scientists of the 20th century.
  • 04 Jan 1931 CBS Radio Bans Father Coughlin: CBS Radio banned Father Charles Coughlin's weekly radio sermon titled 'Prosperity' due to his critical commentary on President Hoover's economic policies, marking a significant moment of media censorship during the Great Depression era.
  • 05 Jan 1931 Hitler Appoints Ernst Röhm as SA Chief of Staff: Adolf Hitler appointed Ernst Röhm as Stabschef (chief of staff) of the Sturmabteilung (SA), also known as the 'Storm Troopers', a pivotal moment in the Nazi Party's organizational structure.
  • 06 Jan 1931 Thomas Edison's Final Patent Application: Thomas Edison, the renowned inventor and prolific innovator, submitted his last patent application, marking the end of an extraordinary career that transformed modern technology and industry.
  • 07 Jan 1931 Funeral of General Joseph Joffre: A momentous state funeral was held for French General Joseph Joffre, a prominent military leader from World War I. The funeral procession at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral drew an estimated two million mourners, reflecting Joffre's significant national importance. His remains were temporarily interred in a vault at Les Invalides, with plans to construct a permanent mausoleum at his estate in Louveciennes, symbolizing his enduring legacy in French military history.
  • 08 Jan 1931 Norway Grants Political Asylum to Leon Trotsky: The Norwegian government officially granted political dissident Leon Trotsky permission to enter the country, allowing him to deliver a series of lectures. This decision was significant in the context of Trotsky's ongoing exile after being expelled from the Soviet Union by Stalin.
  • 09 Jan 1931 Death of Jean Schopfer, Swiss-French Tennis Player: Jean Schopfer, a prominent Swiss-born French tennis player, passed away at the age of 62. Known for his contributions to tennis in the early 20th century, Schopfer was part of the generation of athletes who helped develop and popularize the sport across Europe during the interwar period.
  • 10 Jan 1931 DUPE - German Miners' Wage Reduction: A three-member arbitration court in Germany implemented a 6 percent wage cut for 300,000 Ruhr miners, reflecting the economic challenges and labor tensions during the early years of the Great Depression.
  • 11 Jan 1931 Catholic Clergy and Students Arrested in Lithuania for Anti-Government Propaganda: In a significant crackdown on religious and academic dissent, Lithuanian authorities arrested four Catholic priests and nine students on charges of spreading anti-government propaganda. This event highlights the tensions between religious institutions and the state during a period of political volatility in Lithuania in the early 1930s.
  • 12 Jan 1931 International Agricultural Conference on Global Grain Production: A significant international conference was convened in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together agricultural experts from 26 countries to address critical challenges in global grain production. The meeting sought to develop collaborative strategies to mitigate potential food security risks and optimize agricultural productivity during the challenging economic period of the early 1930s.
  • 13 Jan 1931 Birth of Comedian Rip Taylor: Charles Elmer 'Rip' Taylor Jr., a flamboyant and iconic American comedian known for his outrageous personality, confetti-throwing antics, and distinctive mustache, was born in Washington D.C. Taylor would become a prominent television personality, appearing on numerous game shows, comedy programs, and variety shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, becoming famous for his over-the-top comedic style and memorable catchphrases.
  • 14 Jan 1931 Birth of Caterina Valente: Caterina Valente, a renowned French-Italian singer, actress, and entertainer, was born on January 14, 1931, in Paris, France. Known for her multilingual performances and versatile artistic talents, she would become a prominent international star in the mid-20th century, celebrated for her work in music, film, and television.
  • 15 Jan 1931 Italian Seaplanes Historic African Expedition: On January 15, 1931, a remarkable aviation milestone was achieved when eleven Italian seaplanes, led by the renowned aviator Italo Balbo, successfully landed in Africa. This expedition represented a significant technological and navigational achievement, demonstrating Italy's emerging capabilities in long-distance aerial transportation and exploration during the early 20th century.
  • 16 Jan 1931 Don Bradman's Remarkable Cricket Performance: Australian cricket legend Donald Bradman achieved an extraordinary batting performance, scoring 223 runs against the West Indies in a Test match in Brisbane. This innings, lasting 297 minutes and including 26 fours, further cemented Bradman's reputation as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.
  • 17 Jan 1931 Biographical Note on Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich: Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia, a member of the Romanov imperial family, was a prominent figure in late 19th and early 20th century Russian history. Born in 1864, he was a member of the Russian Imperial House and lived through significant periods of Russian transformation, including the late Imperial era and the Russian Revolution. While no specific event is recorded for January 17, 1931, this date appears to be a retrospective biographical reference point.
  • 18 Jan 1931 German Empire 60th Anniversary Celebration: President Paul von Hindenburg delivered a commemorative speech marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the German Empire. This event took place during the tumultuous period of the Weimar Republic, just two years before the rise of Nazi Germany.
  • 19 Jan 1931 London Round Table Conference on India Concludes: The first London Round Table Conference on India concluded with a significant diplomatic breakthrough. Indian delegates successfully secured a commitment from British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald to support India's path towards self-government, marking a pivotal moment in the country's independence movement.
  • 20 Jan 1931 Wickersham Commission Report on Prohibition Released: U.S. President Herbert Hoover publicly disclosed the findings of the Wickersham Commission, a comprehensive study on the enforcement of Prohibition. The report concluded that while the Eighteenth Amendment should not be repealed, its current enforcement mechanisms were fundamentally inadequate, highlighting the growing tensions surrounding the nationwide alcohol ban.
  • 21 Jan 1931 First Australian-Born Governor-General Sworn In: Sir Isaac Isaacs was officially sworn in as the Governor-General of Australia, marking a significant milestone in the nation's political history. As the first Australian-born person to hold this prestigious viceregal position, Isaacs represented a symbolic shift towards greater national autonomy and self-governance during the early 20th century.
  • 22 Jan 1931 First Australian-Born Governor-General: Sir Isaac Isaacs is sworn in as the first Australian-born Governor-General of Australia, marking a significant milestone in the nation's post-colonial governance.
  • 23 Jan 1931 Death of Anna Pavlova: A Ballet Legend Passes: Anna Pavlova, the renowned Russian prima ballerina who revolutionized classical ballet and became a global cultural icon, died at the age of 49 in The Hague, Netherlands. Known for her ethereal performances and particularly her legendary interpretation of 'The Dying Swan', Pavlova was a transformative figure in early 20th-century dance. She had been on an international tour when she succumbed to pleurisy, a serious inflammatory condition of the lung membranes. Her death marked the end of an era for classical ballet, as she had been instrumental in popularizing ballet worldwide and inspiring generations of dancers.
  • 24 Jan 1931 Great Depression Unemployment Survey: The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company released a comprehensive survey revealing the severe economic impact of the Great Depression. The study estimated that approximately 4.5 million Americans were unemployed, highlighting the profound economic distress affecting the United States during this critical period.
  • 25 Jan 1931 Gandhi's Release from Imprisonment: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was released from prison in India, continuing his ongoing struggle for Indian independence through non-violent civil disobedience against British colonial rule. This release was part of his repeated arrests and subsequent liberations during the Indian independence movement.
  • 26 Jan 1931 'Cimarron' Film Premiere: The landmark Western film 'Cimarron,' directed by Wesley Ruggles and starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne, premiered in New York on January 26, 1931. The film would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 4th Academy Awards.
  • 27 Jan 1931 Pierre Laval Forms French Government: Pierre Laval successfully formed a new government in France, taking on the role of Prime Minister. This political transition represented a significant moment in French Third Republic politics during the interwar period.
  • 28 Jan 1931 Donald Bradman's Cricket Performance in New South Wales vs Victoria Match: Donald Bradman, one of the most legendary cricketers in history, scored an impressive 220 runs against Victoria in a New South Wales match. His performance lasted 308 minutes and included 13 boundary shots (fours), demonstrating his exceptional batting skill and endurance.
  • 29 Jan 1931 Winston Churchill Leaves Shadow Cabinet: Winston Churchill quit the Shadow Cabinet of the Conservative Party due to a significant disagreement with Stanley Baldwin over the party's stance on the proposed new constitution for India, marking a pivotal moment in his political career.
  • 30 Jan 1931 City Lights Movie Release: Charlie Chaplin's iconic comedy-drama film 'City Lights' was released, marking a significant moment in silent film history and showcasing Chaplin's comedic genius.
  • 31 Jan 1931 Birth of Ernie Banks, Baseball Legend: Ernie Banks was born in Dallas, Texas, and would go on to become one of the most iconic players in Chicago Cubs history. Known affectionately as 'Mr. Cub', Banks was a pioneering African American player who became the first Black player for the Chicago Cubs. He was an exceptional shortstop and first baseman, known for his optimistic attitude and famous quote, 'Let's play two!' Banks was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, recognized for his outstanding contributions to the sport during a challenging era of racial integration.