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

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

01 Jun 1931 Near v. Minnesota Supreme Court Decision: The United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Near v. Minnesota, which was crucial in establishing important principles of press freedom and prior restraint in American constitutional law.
02 Jun 1931 British Law Abolishes Death Penalty for Pregnant Women: On June 2, 1931, the British House of Commons passed a significant legal reform that abolished the death penalty for pregnant women, replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment. This legislative change represented an important milestone in human rights and judicial treatment of women, acknowledging the unique circumstances and humanitarian considerations surrounding pregnant individuals facing criminal sentencing.
03 Jun 1931 Second Encirclement Campaign in China: The Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) is defeated in their Second Encirclement Campaign against the Jiangxi Soviet, a significant moment in the Chinese Communist Party's resistance against Nationalist forces during the early stages of the Chinese Civil War.
04 Jun 1931 Death of Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca: Hussein bin Ali, the 77-year-old King of the Hejaz from 1916 to 1924, passed away. A key figure in Arab nationalist movements, he was instrumental in challenging Ottoman rule and seeking Arab independence during the early 20th century.
05 Jun 1931 German Chancellor's Critical London Visit: German Chancellor Dr. Heinrich Brüning traveled to London to meet with British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, delivering a grave warning about the imminent financial crisis. He explained that the bankruptcy of the Creditanstalt bank in Austria had critically destabilized the entire German banking system, signaling potential widespread economic collapse.
06 Jun 1931 Temlag Labor Camp Established: The Soviet Union established the Temlag forced labor camp in the Mordovian ASSR, reflecting the harsh realities of the Soviet penal system during this period.
07 Jun 1931 Malcolm Morley: Notable Artist: Malcolm Morley, a renowned English-born painter known for his hyperrealist and later more expressive artistic styles, was a significant figure in contemporary art. His work often challenged traditional painting techniques and explored complex visual representations.
08 Jun 1931 Wailing Wall Ownership Decision: A British committee made a landmark ruling regarding the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, awarding sole ownership to Muslims while ensuring Jewish access, a politically sensitive decision with significant religious implications.
09 Jun 1931 Rocket-Powered Aircraft Design Patent: Robert Goddard patented a groundbreaking rocket-fueled aircraft design, marking a significant milestone in aerospace engineering and propulsion technology.
10 Jun 1931 Toscanini's Departure from Fascist Italy: Renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini was granted permission to leave Italy, marking a significant moment in his resistance against Mussolini's fascist regime. Toscanini, a vocal anti-fascist, had been increasingly at odds with the political climate in Italy.
11 Jun 1931 German Austerity Riots of 1931: In June 1931, widespread rioting erupted across Germany in response to severe government austerity measures. The economic unrest reflected the deep social tensions and economic hardship facing the Weimar Republic during the Great Depression, with citizens expressing their frustration through public demonstrations and civil unrest.
12 Jun 1931 Al Capone Indicted on Massive Prohibition Charges: Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone was indicted on an unprecedented 5,000 counts related to prohibition violations and perjury, marking a significant legal action against organized crime during the Prohibition era.
13 Jun 1931 Death of Shibasaburo Kitasato, Prominent Japanese Physician: Shibasaburo Kitasato, a renowned Japanese physician and bacteriologist who made significant contributions to medical science, passed away. Kitasato was known for his groundbreaking work in bacteriology and immunology, including research on tetanus and diphtheria.
14 Jun 1931 Heydrich and Himmler's First Meeting: Reinhard Heydrich's inaugural meeting with Heinrich Himmler, a pivotal moment in the early organizational stages of Nazi leadership that would later have profound implications for the Holocaust and World War II.
15 Jun 1931 Hoover's Optimistic Depression Speech: U.S. President Herbert Hoover delivered an optimistic speech in Indianapolis about the economic situation, expressing confidence that the United States would emerge from the Great Depression stronger than before. He emphasized the 'underlying forces of recovery' and maintained a hopeful stance despite the severe economic challenges.
16 Jun 1931 Fernando Henrique Cardoso Birth: Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who would later become the 34th President of Brazil and a prominent sociologist, was born on June 18, 1931.
17 Jun 1931 Vatican Protests Spanish Government's Treatment of Cardinal Segura: On June 17, 1931, the Spanish provisional government received diplomatic protest notes from the Vatican regarding the treatment of exiled Cardinal Pedro Segura y Sáenz. The Vatican claimed that the authorities had mistreated the cardinal and asserted that only the Vatican possessed the authority to recall a prelate. This incident highlighted the ongoing tensions between the Spanish Republican government and the Catholic Church during a period of significant political and social transformation in Spain.
18 Jun 1931 Birth of Fernando Henrique Cardoso: Fernando Henrique Cardoso was born on June 18, 1931, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He would later become a prominent sociologist, politician, and two-term President of Brazil, serving from 1995 to 2002. Cardoso is widely recognized for implementing critical economic reforms and the Plano Real, which stabilized Brazil's economy and helped control hyperinflation.
19 Jun 1931 Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War Takes Effect: The Geneva Convention (1929) relative to the treatment of prisoners of war officially enters into force, establishing critical international humanitarian standards for the humane treatment of captured military personnel during armed conflicts.
20 Jun 1931 Hoover Debt Moratorium Proposal: President Herbert Hoover proposed a significant international financial relief measure during the Great Depression. The proposal included a one-year moratorium on debt payments owed to the United States, with the expectation of reciprocal debt relief from other nations. This diplomatic and economic strategy aimed to provide temporary economic breathing room for countries struggling under the weight of global economic collapse.
21 Jun 1931 Death of Pio del Pilar, Filipino Revolutionary Leader: Pio del Pilar, a prominent Filipino revolutionary leader and key figure in the Philippine struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule, passed away on June 21, 1931. Born in 1860, del Pilar was an important military commander during the Philippine Revolution and later the Philippine-American War. He played a significant role in the fight against Spanish colonization and was a contemporary of other notable Filipino revolutionaries like Emilio Aguinaldo.
22 Jun 1931 Massive Sicilian Mafia Trial Concludes: A landmark legal proceeding against the Sicilian Mafia concluded after nearly a year of trials. The judicial process resulted in 124 defendants receiving prison sentences, while 54 were acquitted, marking a significant moment in Italy's fight against organized crime.
23 Jun 1931 First Round-the-World Flight by Single-Engine Plane: Wiley Post and Harold Gatty departed from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, embarking on a groundbreaking aviation journey to circumnavigate the globe in a single-engine aircraft. Their ambitious expedition would challenge the limits of early aviation technology and demonstrate human endurance in long-distance flight.
24 Jun 1931 Anti-Chinese Riots in Pyongyang: A severe outbreak of anti-Chinese violence erupted in Pyongyang, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage. Approximately 127 Chinese residents were killed, and 393 were wounded during these riots, highlighting the intense ethnic tensions and social instability in the region during this period.
26 Jun 1931 Spanish Government Dismisses Ramón Franco from Aeronautics Leadership: On June 26, 1931, during the early period of the Spanish Second Republic, the provisional government removed Ramón Franco from his position as chief of Aeronautics. The dismissal was reportedly due to allegations of his involvement in an anarchist plot aimed at disrupting the upcoming national elections. Ramón Franco, a notable aviator and brother of future dictator Francisco Franco, was known for his political activism and complex relationship with the republican government.
27 Jun 1931 Catastrophic Yangtze River Flood of 1931: One of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, the 1931 China flood devastated the Yangtze and Huai River regions. An estimated 422,000 people perished, with approximately 150,000 drowning immediately and many more succumbing to subsequent starvation and disease. The flood's immense human toll and environmental impact made it a tragic milestone in 20th-century Chinese history.
28 Jun 1931 Iraq Gains Partial Sovereignty from United States: On June 28, 1931, the United States returned a degree of sovereignty to an interim government in Iraq, while maintaining a significant military presence of approximately 135,000 troops to address ongoing insurgent activities. This marked an important transitional moment in Iraq's path towards self-governance, though the continued substantial American military presence indicated the complex geopolitical challenges of the region.
29 Jun 1931 Campbell Pogrom in Thessaloniki: A violent antisemitic pogrom occurred in the Campbell neighborhood of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece. The attack resulted in two fatalities, dozens of injuries, and approximately 2 million drachmas in property damage, reflecting the rising tensions and antisemitic sentiments of the era.
30 Jun 1931 Uneventful Day in 1931: While no specific major historical events were documented for June 30, 1931, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen without immediate global recognition. During this period, the world was in the midst of the Great Depression, which significantly impacted global economic and social landscapes.