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

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

01 Nov 1931 Political Violence Erupts in French Cities: Violent confrontations between fascist and anti-fascist groups escalate in multiple French cities, including Nice, Chambéry, and Dijon. The riots result in thirty people being injured, highlighting the intense political tensions and ideological divisions in France during the early 1930s.
02 Nov 1931 International Armaments Moratorium Expands: On November 2, 1931, six additional nations, prominently including Great Britain and France, joined the existing one-year moratorium on armaments production. This diplomatic effort represented an international attempt to reduce military tensions and potentially mitigate the escalating global arms race in the period between World War I and World War II.
03 Nov 1931 First Commercial Synthetic Rubber Production: In a significant technological breakthrough, the first commercially produced synthetic rubber was manufactured, marking a pivotal moment in industrial chemistry and materials science. This development would later prove crucial for global manufacturing, particularly during World War II when natural rubber supplies were disrupted.
04 Nov 1931 Death of Buddy Bolden: On November 4, 1931, Buddy Bolden, a pioneering American jazz cornetist widely considered a foundational figure in the development of jazz music, passed away. Known as the first jazz musician to play the genre in New Orleans, Bolden was instrumental in shaping early jazz improvisation and style during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
05 Nov 1931 Mahatma Gandhi's Historic Meeting with King George V: Mahatma Gandhi attended a formal reception at Buckingham Palace and met with King George V for five minutes. In a striking display of cultural contrast, Gandhi wore his customary attire of a simple loin cloth and shawl, standing out dramatically among the other guests dressed in elaborate silken finery. This moment symbolized Gandhi's commitment to simplicity and his defiance of colonial social norms.
06 Nov 1931 Fascist Population Incentive Program: In a strategic demographic policy initiative, the Italian government under Benito Mussolini's fascist regime awarded prizes to families with the highest number of children. This program was part of a broader national strategy to increase population growth and promote traditional family values during the interwar period.
07 Nov 1931 Establishment of Chinese Soviet Republic: On the anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, Mao Zedong proclaimed the Chinese Soviet Republic in Jiangxi Province, marking a significant moment in Chinese communist history. This event represented a pivotal step in the Chinese Communist Party's revolutionary struggle against the Nationalist government.
08 Nov 1931 Panama Canal Temporarily Closed Due to Earthquake Damage: The strategically crucial Panama Canal was forced to suspend operations for approximately two weeks following significant earthquake damage. This closure would have had substantial implications for international maritime trade and transportation routes.
09 Nov 1931 Gandhi Criticizes Round Table Conference: During the Second Round Table Conference in London, Mahatma Gandhi expressed his disappointment with the proceedings, declaring the conference a failure. He announced his intention to return to India and continue the non-violent resistance against British colonial rule, signaling a pivotal moment in India's independence movement.
10 Nov 1931 Last Chinese Emperor Puyi Moves to Manchuria: On November 10, 1931, Puyi, the last emperor of China's Qing Dynasty, left his exile in Tianjin and surrendered to Japanese authorities. The Japanese were strategically offering to restore him to the throne in Manchuria as part of their imperial expansion plans, effectively making him a puppet ruler in the Japanese-controlled region.
11 Nov 1931 Maple Leaf Gardens Opens in Toronto: On November 11, 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens, an iconic hockey arena, was inaugurated in Toronto. In its inaugural game, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the hometown Toronto Maple Leafs with a score of 2-1, marking a memorable beginning for this legendary sports venue that would become a cornerstone of Canadian hockey culture.
12 Nov 1931 Maple Leaf Gardens Opens in Toronto: The historic Maple Leaf Gardens, an iconic hockey arena, opened in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In the inaugural game, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced the Chicago Black Hawks, ultimately losing 2-1 in a memorable match that marked the beginning of a legendary sports venue.
13 Nov 1931 First Female US Senator Appointed: Hattie Caraway, a Democrat from Arkansas, was appointed to the United States Senate, becoming the first woman to serve as a U.S. Senator. Her groundbreaking appointment marked a significant milestone in women's political representation and participation in American governance.
14 Nov 1931 Spanish Commission Condemns Former King Alfonso XIII: A Spanish commission issued a severe condemnation of former king Alfonso XIII, finding him guilty of lèse-majesté under the Constitution of 1876. The commission recommended his disgrace, property confiscation, and threatened execution if he returned to Spain, reflecting the intense political tensions during the transition from monarchy to republic.
15 Nov 1931 Nazi Party State Elections in Hesse: The Nazi Party achieved a significant electoral victory in Hesse, winning 37% of the vote. This election marked a critical moment in the rise of Nazi political power in Germany during the early 1930s, foreshadowing the party's eventual national takeover.
16 Nov 1931 Hitler's Meeting with Hermine Reuss: Adolf Hitler held a four-hour private meeting with Hermine Reuss of Greiz, the second wife of the exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II, in Berlin. This diplomatic encounter likely involved discussions about the political landscape of Germany during the early years of Nazi rise to power.
17 Nov 1931 Don Bradman's Remarkable Cricket Performance: Don Bradman, the legendary Australian cricketer, scored an impressive 135 runs for New South Wales in a match against the South African cricket team. His innings was characterized by exceptional skill, scoring 135 runs in just 128 minutes and hitting 15 boundaries (fours), demonstrating his extraordinary batting prowess and quick scoring rate.
18 Nov 1931 Japanese Invasion of Manchuria: Capture of Qiqihar: On November 18, 1931, Japanese Imperial Army forces captured the strategic city of Qiqihar in northeastern China, marking a significant moment in the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. This military action was part of Japan's broader expansionist strategy in the region, which would eventually lead to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo.
19 Nov 1931 Jean Renoir's La Chienne Released: On November 19, 1931, French filmmaker Jean Renoir released 'La Chienne', a groundbreaking film that would later be recognized as a significant work in the development of French cinema. The movie, an early sound film, explored complex themes of love, betrayal, and social dynamics, demonstrating Renoir's emerging talent as a director.
20 Nov 1931 Dow Jones Falls Below 100 Points: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped below 100 points for the first time since the onset of the Great Depression, signaling the continued economic turmoil and financial instability of the era.
21 Nov 1931 Universal Pictures Releases Iconic Frankenstein Film: Universal Pictures released the landmark horror film 'Frankenstein', starring Boris Karloff as the Monster. This adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel created the definitive visual representation of Frankenstein's Monster, establishing an enduring image in popular culture and significantly influencing the horror film genre.
22 Nov 1931 Premiere of Ferde Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite: On November 22, 1931, the renowned American composer Ferde Grofé publicly premiered his iconic musical composition, the Grand Canyon Suite, at the Studebaker Theatre in Chicago. This symphonic work is a programmatic piece that musically depicts the landscape, atmosphere, and various scenes of the Grand Canyon, capturing its natural beauty through orchestral movements.
23 Nov 1931 National Crisis Committee Established in The Hague: The National Crisis Committee was formed in The Hague, Netherlands, during a period of significant economic and political uncertainty in the early 1930s. This committee was likely established to address the challenges posed by the global economic depression and potential social instability.
24 Nov 1931 Uneventful Day in 1931: While no major historical events were documented for November 24, 1931, this day represents a moment of relative calm during the interwar period. The early 1930s were characterized by global economic challenges following the Great Depression, and not every day yields significant historical markers.
25 Nov 1931 Frankenstein Film Premiere: James Whale's iconic film adaptation of 'Frankenstein', starring Boris Karloff, is released in New York, marking a pivotal moment in horror cinema and popular culture.
26 Nov 1931 Discovery of Deuterium: American chemist Harold Urey discovers heavy hydrogen, which he later names deuterium. This isotope of hydrogen, with one proton and one neutron in its nucleus, would become crucial in scientific research, nuclear physics, and understanding molecular structures.
27 Nov 1931 Alexander Pantages Acquitted in Controversial Rape Trial: Alexander Pantages, a prominent theater chain operator and entertainment promoter, was acquitted of rape charges in his second trial. The case, which garnered significant public attention, involved allegations of sexual assault against a young woman. After an initial conviction, Pantages successfully appealed and was ultimately found not guilty in a subsequent legal proceeding, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of sexual assault trials during the early 20th century.
28 Nov 1931 Hungarian Military Coup Attempt: A significant political incident occurred when a Hungarian army general was arrested along with 31 other conspirators for plotting to overthrow the government. The general subsequently committed suicide while in police custody, highlighting the political tensions and instability in Hungary during the early 1930s.
29 Nov 1931 US Income Statistics Reveal Economic Impact of Wall Street Crash: The Internal Revenue Bureau released its income statistics for 1930, revealing a dramatic economic transformation following the Wall Street Crash. The data showed a significant reduction in millionaires, with only 19,688 recorded – approximately half the number present before the financial catastrophe, highlighting the severe economic disruption of the Great Depression.
30 Nov 1931 Crystal Palace Fire in London: The iconic Crystal Palace, a historic glass and iron structure located in Hyde Park, London, was completely destroyed by a massive fire on November 30, 1931. The building, originally constructed for the Great Exhibition of 1851, was a significant architectural landmark and symbol of Victorian engineering prowess. Its destruction marked the end of an important era in British cultural and architectural history.