Major Events of April 1932: 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 April 1932 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of April 1932: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Apr 1932 Presidential Statement on Automobile Industry: President Herbert Hoover issued a statement encouraging car purchases as a means of stimulating employment during the Great Depression. He emphasized that automobile manufacturing was a critical source of widespread employment and urged citizens to consider buying new cars to support the struggling economy.
02 Apr 1932 DUPE - Prince Wilhelm Endorses Hitler: Former German Crown Prince Wilhelm publicly endorsed Adolf Hitler for the presidential election scheduled for April 10, 1932. This endorsement from a prominent aristocratic figure signaled growing conservative support for Hitler's Nazi Party during the tumultuous Weimar Republic period.
03 Apr 1932 Stalin Consolidates Power as Communist Party Secretary-General: Joseph Stalin was confirmed as the secretary-general of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, a pivotal moment that provided him with the organizational power to establish his totalitarian regime. This position allowed Stalin to strategically place his supporters in key party positions, ultimately enabling his complete control over the Soviet state.
04 Apr 1932 Vitamin C Isolation Breakthrough: Dr. C.C. King successfully isolated Vitamin C at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking a significant milestone in nutritional science. This discovery would later contribute to understanding essential nutrients and their role in human health.
05 Apr 1932 Assassination Attempt on Hans Luther: On April 5, 1932, a dramatic assassination attempt targeted Hans Luther, a prominent German politician who had served twice as Chancellor and was then President of the Reichsbank. At a Berlin subway station, Luther was shot at close range but was only slightly wounded, with the bullet grazing his arm. Two former Nazis were immediately arrested, claiming they wanted to kill Luther due to disagreement with his deflationary economic policies. This incident underscores the political volatility and ideological tensions in Germany during the early 1930s.
06 Apr 1932 Lindbergh Kidnapping Investigation Intensifies: U.S. Treasury officials issued a confidential circular to banks nationwide, instructing them to carefully monitor and report large cash transactions involving specific bill denominations. This covert directive was strategically designed to track potential ransom payments related to the high-profile kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's infant son, signaling a sophisticated approach to investigating the notorious crime.
07 Apr 1932 Roosevelt's 'Forgotten Man' Speech: On April 7, 1932, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his influential 'Forgotten Man' speech in Albany, New York, which was broadcast via radio to the state's residents. In this pivotal address, Roosevelt emphasized the critical importance of economic policies that support the ordinary, often overlooked citizens who form the backbone of the American economy. He passionately appealed to the 'little fellow', highlighting the need to create economic strategies that prioritize the welfare of average working-class Americans during the challenging times of the Great Depression.
09 Apr 1932 Lindbergh Kidnapping Case Ransom Revelation: In a shocking public disclosure, it was revealed that $50,000 in ransom had been paid in the infamous Lindbergh kidnapping case, despite the child not being returned. This development heightened the national intrigue and tragedy surrounding the high-profile child abduction.
10 Apr 1932 Paul von Hindenburg Re-elected as German President: In a significant political moment, Paul von Hindenburg was re-elected as the President of Germany in a contentious presidential election. The election was marked by political tension and violence, with hundreds of individuals arrested on election day. Hindenburg secured a majority of votes, extending his presidential term by another seven years.
11 Apr 1932 Massive Volcanic Eruptions in the Andes: A catastrophic geological event unfolded as fourteen volcanoes simultaneously erupted along the Andean mountain range, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The widespread volcanic activity caused significant environmental disruption and posed serious risks to local populations.
12 Apr 1932 German Stock Exchange Reopens: The German stock exchange reopened for the first time in almost seven months, signaling a potential economic recovery during the challenging period of the Great Depression.
13 Apr 1932 Hindenburg's Critical Nazi Party Decree: President Paul von Hindenburg issued an emergency decree through Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution, ordering the immediate dissolution of the SA, SS, and all auxiliary forces of the Nazi Party, a significant political maneuver during the tumultuous period of early Nazi Germany.
14 Apr 1932 First Artificial Nuclear Disintegration: John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton successfully split the nucleus of lithium using a focused proton beam, marking a groundbreaking moment in nuclear physics. This experiment demonstrated the ability to artificially transmute atomic nuclei, paving the way for future nuclear research and understanding of atomic structure.
15 Apr 1932 Ivar Kreuger Fraud Scandal Leads to Arrests in Sweden: On April 15, 1932, Swedish authorities arrested three corporate directors connected to the infamous businessman Ivar Kreuger, who was known as the 'Match King'. These arrests were part of a broader investigation into financial fraud and corporate misconduct surrounding Kreuger's business empire, which had recently collapsed in a spectacular financial scandal that sent shockwaves through international financial markets.
16 Apr 1932 Laurel and Hardy's 'The Music Box' Release: The iconic comedy short film 'The Music Box', starring the legendary comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, was released in the United States, further cementing their status as pioneering comedic actors of the early sound film era.
17 Apr 1932 Ethiopia Abolishes Slavery: Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia officially ended the practice of slavery in the country, marking a significant milestone in human rights and social reform. This landmark decision represented a crucial step towards modernizing Ethiopian society and aligning the nation with international humanitarian standards.
18 Apr 1932 Roosevelt's Stance on Prohibition: During a pivotal moment in the early years of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt publicly declared his support for repealing the national Prohibition and returning alcohol regulation to individual state governments. This stance signaled a significant shift in national policy and reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the nationwide ban on alcohol that had been in effect since 1920.
19 Apr 1932 First Nuclear Disintegration Breakthrough: Scientists John Cockcroft and E. T. S. Walton achieve a groundbreaking scientific milestone by successfully disintegrating atomic nuclei through bombardment with artificially accelerated protons, marking a significant advancement in nuclear physics.
20 Apr 1932 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Introduces Air Conditioning: On April 20, 1932, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) made transportation history by introducing air conditioning on its premier train, the National Limited. This groundbreaking service connected St. Louis and New York, offering passengers unprecedented comfort during their journey. The implementation of air conditioning represented a significant technological advancement in passenger rail travel, dramatically improving the travel experience by providing a cool and controlled environment during long-distance trips.
21 Apr 1932 Full Moon on April 21, 1932: On April 21, 1932, a full moon illuminated the night sky, casting its bright, silvery light across the landscape. Full moons have long been significant in various cultural, astronomical, and folkloric contexts, often marking important seasonal or agricultural cycles.
22 Apr 1932 Sarojini Naidu Arrested During Indian Independence Movement: Sarojini Naidu, a prominent female independence activist in India, was forcibly removed from a train en route to Delhi and arrested for deliberately defying British colonial authorities' order prohibiting her from attending a National Congress meeting. This act of civil disobedience highlighted the growing resistance against British imperial rule and Naidu's significant role in India's independence struggle.
23 Apr 1932 Newcastle United Wins FA Cup Final: Newcastle United triumphs over Arsenal with a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup Final at the iconic Wembley Stadium, marking a significant moment in English football history.
24 Apr 1932 Nazi Party Electoral Success in Prussia: In a significant political development, the Nazi Party (NSDAP) secured 36.3 percent of the vote in the Prussian regional elections, demonstrating their growing political influence in Germany during the tumultuous Weimar Republic period.
25 Apr 1932 Hitler Demands Political Power After Election: Adolf Hitler, speaking from Munich, declared that the recent election results provided a mandate for the Nazi Party to form governments in Prussia and other German states, signaling a critical moment in the rise of Nazi political influence.
26 Apr 1932 Michael Smith - Nobel Laureate Biochemist: Michael Smith, an English-born biochemist, was a distinguished scientist who would later be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993 for his groundbreaking work in site-directed mutagenesis. His research significantly advanced molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques.
27 Apr 1932 Hoover's Pension Bill Veto: U.S. President Herbert Hoover vetoed a bill that would have increased pensions for soldiers and sailors during the challenging economic period of the Great Depression. This action reflected the tight fiscal constraints of the time.
28 Apr 1932 Yellow Fever Vaccine Breakthrough: Scientists at the Rockefeller Foundation announced a groundbreaking vaccine for yellow fever, marking a significant milestone in medical research and public health. This vaccine would help prevent a deadly tropical disease that had caused numerous epidemics and significant mortality rates in regions like Africa and South America.
29 Apr 1932 Literary Digest Prohibition Poll: The Literary Digest published a comprehensive nationwide poll revealing overwhelming public sentiment against Prohibition. The poll showed that 46 out of 48 states supported repealing the Eighteenth Amendment, signaling a significant shift in public opinion and foreshadowing the eventual end of the Prohibition era.
30 Apr 1932 Uneventful Day in 1932: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for April 30, 1932, this period was part of the challenging interwar era between World War I and World War II. Many countries were still recovering from the economic impacts of the Great Depression, which had begun in 1929 and was causing widespread economic hardship globally.