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

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

01 Oct 1931 George Washington Bridge Connects New Jersey and New York: The George Washington Bridge is opened, linking New Jersey and New York, providing a critical transportation infrastructure connecting two major states across the Hudson River.
02 Oct 1931 Pope Pius XI Addresses Global Economic Crisis: Pope Pius XI issued an important encyclical addressing the widespread economic challenges of the early 1930s, providing moral and social guidance during the Great Depression era. The document likely explored themes of economic justice, social responsibility, and the Church's perspective on global economic hardship.
03 Oct 1931 Assassination Attempt Conspirators Sentenced in Albania: On October 3, 1931, Albanian military justice concluded proceedings against two officers involved in the failed assassination attempt against King Zog I of Albania on February 20 of the same year. A former lieutenant was sentenced to prison for his role in the plot, signaling the government's firm stance against political violence and threats to the monarchy.
04 Oct 1931 Dick Tracy Comic Strip Debuts: The iconic comic strip Dick Tracy, created by cartoonist Chester Gould, made its first appearance in the Detroit Mirror. Originally called 'Plainclothes Tracy', the strip would go on to become a landmark in detective-themed comic storytelling, featuring the hard-boiled detective known for his innovative crime-fighting techniques and distinctive characters.
05 Oct 1931 First Nonstop Transpacific Flight by Pangborn and Herndon: Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon Jr. successfully completed the first nonstop transpacific flight from Japan to Washington, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. Their daring journey demonstrated the expanding capabilities of long-distance air travel and human endurance.
06 Oct 1931 Scottsboro Boys Trial Begins: The controversial trial of the Scottsboro Boys commences, a landmark legal case involving nine African American teenagers falsely accused of rape in Alabama, which became a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement.
07 Oct 1931 Desmond Tutu's Birth and Legacy: Desmond Tutu, a pivotal South African Anglican Archbishop and human rights activist, was born. He would later become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1982, playing a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement and South Africa's transition to democracy.
09 Oct 1931 Chancellor Brüning Reshuffles Cabinet: On October 9, 1931, Chancellor Heinrich Brüning announced significant changes to his cabinet during a challenging period in Weimar Republic history. The cabinet reshuffle included key appointments: Curt Joël was named Justice Minister, Hermann Warmbold took over the Economics Ministry, and Brüning himself assumed the role of Foreign Minister. This reorganization occurred against the backdrop of Germany's severe economic crisis and political instability during the Great Depression.
10 Oct 1931 Saint Louis Cardinals Win 28th World Series: The Saint Louis Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Athletics in a thrilling seven-game series, clinching the World Series championship with a 4-3 series victory. This marked a significant moment in baseball history, showcasing the Cardinals' prowess and competitive spirit during the early 1930s.
11 Oct 1931 Formation of the Harzburg Front: On October 11, 1931, approximately 100,000 extreme-right wing Germans gathered to form the Harzburger Front, a significant political alliance of nationalist and conservative forces during the tumultuous Weimar Republic period. This movement represented a critical moment of political polarization, bringing together various right-wing groups including Nazi Party members, nationalist conservatives, and other radical nationalist elements.
12 Oct 1931 Christ the Redeemer Statue Dedication: The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue was officially dedicated atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Standing 98 feet (30 meters) tall, this Art Deco-style monument would become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and a symbol of Brazilian culture and Christianity. The statue, designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and constructed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, was completed after nine years of construction.
13 Oct 1931 Nazi and National People's Parties End Reichstag Boycott: The Nazi and National People's parties concluded their eight-month boycott of the Reichstag, signaling a potential shift in political engagement during the tumultuous Weimar Republic period.
14 Oct 1931 Manuel Azaña Becomes Spanish Prime Minister: Manuel Azaña assumed the role of Prime Minister of Spain, a key political transition during the early years of the Second Spanish Republic, known for his progressive and reformist agenda.
15 Oct 1931 Birth of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, renowned as the 'People's President' and a distinguished aerospace scientist, was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. He would later become the 11th President of India (2002-2007) and is widely celebrated as a visionary leader, technological innovator, and inspirational educator who played a crucial role in India's missile and space programs.
16 Oct 1931 Winnie Ruth Judd's First Murder: Winnie Ruth Judd, an American woman who gained infamy for her brutal murders, committed her first homicide on October 16, 1931. Her case was particularly sensational due to her method of dismembering and transporting her victims in trunks, which led to her notorious nickname 'Trunk Murderess'.
17 Oct 1931 Al Capone Convicted of Tax Evasion: Notorious American gangster Al Capone was convicted of federal tax evasion in Chicago, Illinois. The landmark case marked a significant moment in law enforcement's strategy to combat organized crime by targeting financial crimes. Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined US$80,000, effectively ending his criminal empire's reign.
18 Oct 1931 Death of Thomas Edison: Thomas Edison, the prolific American inventor and businessman who held over 1,000 patents, passed away at his home in West Orange, New Jersey at the age of 84. Known as the 'Wizard of Menlo Park', Edison was a transformative figure who invented the phonograph, improved the light bulb, and created the first industrial research laboratory, fundamentally changing modern technology and industry.
19 Oct 1931 Canada Suspends Gold Standard: On October 19, 1931, Canada officially suspended the gold standard, a significant monetary policy decision that marked a pivotal moment in the country's economic history. This move was part of a broader global trend during the Great Depression, where nations were abandoning the rigid gold-backed currency system in favor of more flexible monetary policies. By suspending the gold standard, Canada gained greater ability to manage its money supply and respond to the economic challenges of the time.
20 Oct 1931 Mickey Mantle Birth and Baseball Legacy: Mickey Mantle, one of the most legendary baseball players in New York Yankees history, was born on October 20, 1931. Known as a phenomenal home run slugger, he would go on to win the Triple Crown in 1956, a remarkable achievement that solidified his status as a baseball icon. Throughout his illustrious career, Mantle became synonymous with Yankees excellence and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
21 Oct 1931 National Tribute to Thomas Edison: On the day of Thomas Edison's funeral, a nationwide moment of remembrance was organized across the United States. At 10:00 p.m. Eastern time, Americans were asked to turn off the lights in their homes for one minute to honor the legendary inventor. Many city governments participated by extinguishing streetlights, creating a symbolic darkness to mourn the passing of one of America's most significant technological innovators.
22 Oct 1931 Carnegie Corporation Supports Dickinson College Library: The Carnegie Corporation made a significant endowment to the Bosler library at Dickinson College, continuing Andrew Carnegie's philanthropic mission of supporting educational institutions and expanding access to knowledge.
23 Oct 1931 Japan Rejects League of Nations Ultimatum: On October 23, 1931, Japan formally rejected the League of Nations' ultimatum regarding its military actions in Manchuria. This rejection marked a significant escalation in tensions between Japan and the international community, signaling Japan's intent to pursue its territorial expansionist policies despite international condemnation.
24 Oct 1931 George Washington Bridge Opening Ceremony: The historic opening ceremony for the George Washington Bridge was held, connecting Manhattan, New York to New Jersey. Governors Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York and Morgan Larson of New Jersey officially inaugurated the bridge in a grand event attended by 30,000 spectators, marking a significant milestone in transportation infrastructure.
25 Oct 1931 William Grant Still's Groundbreaking Symphony Premiere: On October 25, 1931, William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1 'Afro-American' was performed for the first time at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. This landmark composition was significant as one of the first symphonies by an African American composer to be widely performed, highlighting Still's pioneering role in classical music.
26 Oct 1931 Eugene O'Neill's 'Mourning Becomes Electra' Premieres: Eugene O'Neill's groundbreaking play 'Mourning Becomes Electra' premiered at the Guild Theatre in New York City. This complex, three-part tragedy is a modern adaptation of the Greek Oresteia myth, set in New England during the American Civil War era. The play explores themes of family dysfunction, psychological trauma, and generational guilt, showcasing O'Neill's mastery of psychological drama.
27 Oct 1931 United Kingdom General Election of 1931: The United Kingdom general election was held, resulting in a landslide victory for the National Government. The coalition, led by Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, secured a commanding 554 seats, with the Conservative Party winning 470 seats. The Labour Party was dramatically reduced to just 46 seats. This election marked a significant political shift, with smaller parties like Oswald Mosley's New Party and the Communist Party failing to gain meaningful representation, each receiving minimal vote shares.
28 Oct 1931 Nazi and National People's Parties End Reichstag Boycott: On October 28, 1931, the Nazi Party and the National People's Party concluded their eight-month boycott of the German Reichstag (parliament). This marked a significant moment in the political landscape of the Weimar Republic, as these right-wing parties returned to parliamentary proceedings during a period of intense political instability.
29 Oct 1931 Al Capone Convicted of Tax Evasion: Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone was convicted of three felony counts of tax evasion and two misdemeanor counts of failing to file a tax return. This landmark legal case effectively ended the criminal empire of one of America's most infamous mobsters, demonstrating that financial crimes could be used to prosecute organized crime figures when other charges failed.
30 Oct 1931 First Television Broadcast in New York City: W2XB, an early television channel operated by NBC, begins broadcasting in New York City, marking a significant milestone in the development of television media. This pioneering broadcast represents an important moment in the technological evolution of mass communication, showcasing the emerging capabilities of visual broadcasting in the early 1930s.
31 Oct 1931 Birth of Dan Rather, Prominent American Journalist: Dan Rather was born in Wharton, Texas, on October 31, 1931. He would go on to become one of the most recognizable and influential broadcast journalists of the 20th century, serving as the anchor of CBS Evening News from 1981 to 2005. Rather's career was marked by significant coverage of major historical events, including the Vietnam War, Watergate scandal, and the September 11 attacks.