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

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

01 Dec 1932 Germany Rejoins World Disarmament Conference: In a significant diplomatic development, Germany returned to the World Disarmament Conference after other participating powers agreed to accept the principle of 'gleichberechtigung' (equality of status). This marked a crucial moment in international relations during the interwar period, reflecting Germany's desire to be treated as an equal sovereign state following the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
02 Dec 1932 Death of Amadeo Vives: Amadeo Vives, a prominent Spanish composer born in 1871, passed away on December 2, 1932. Vives was known for his significant contributions to Catalan musical composition, particularly in the zarzuela genre.
03 Dec 1932 Kurt von Schleicher Becomes German Chancellor: General Kurt von Schleicher became Chancellor of Germany, forming a new government that largely retained ministers from Franz von Papen's previous cabinet. This political transition occurred during a tumultuous period in Weimar Germany, marked by political instability and rising tensions.
04 Dec 1932 Political Maneuvering in Weimar Germany: Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher attempted a complex political strategy by meeting with Gregor Strasser, a prominent Nazi Party member, and offering him the positions of Vice-Chancellor and Reich Commissioner for Prussia. Schleicher's calculated move was designed to create a potential split within the Nazi Party (NSDAP) and potentially undermine Adolf Hitler's growing political influence. By attempting to drive a wedge between Strasser and Hitler, Schleicher hoped to weaken the Nazi movement and stabilize his own precarious governmental position.
05 Dec 1932 Birth of Little Richard: Little Richard, a pioneering and influential musician who would become a key figure in rock and roll, was born in Macon, Georgia. He would later revolutionize popular music with his energetic performance style and groundbreaking music.
06 Dec 1932 Turbulent Reichstag Session in Pre-Nazi Germany: On December 6, 1932, the Reichstag convened for its first session following the November elections, revealing the growing political tensions in Germany. The Communist Party attempted to introduce a motion of no confidence, but the Nazi Party, holding a plurality of seats, strategically maneuvered to postpone the motion. This event highlighted the increasing political polarization and parliamentary instability that would ultimately contribute to the Nazi Party's rise to power.
07 Dec 1932 Albert Einstein Granted American Visa: German-born Swiss physicist Albert Einstein was granted an American visa, marking a significant moment in his journey of academic freedom and escape from rising Nazi persecution. This visa would eventually lead to his permanent relocation to the United States, where he would continue his groundbreaking scientific work and become a prominent advocate for peace.
08 Dec 1932 Gregor Strasser Resigns from Nazi Party Leadership: On December 8, 1932, Gregor Strasser, a prominent Nazi Party leader, resigned from all his party offices due to significant ideological disagreements with Adolf Hitler. This internal conflict highlighted the growing tensions within the Nazi Party's leadership and foreshadowed the power struggles that would later characterize the Nazi regime.
09 Dec 1932 Gregor Strasser Breaks with Nazi Party: Prominent Nazi Party leader Gregor Strasser resigned from all party offices, signaling a significant internal conflict with Adolf Hitler and revealing deep ideological fractures within the Nazi movement.
10 Dec 1932 Thailand Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy: King Rama VII (Prajadhipok) fundamentally transformed Thailand's governance by granting the country its first constitution, marking a pivotal moment in Thai political history. This landmark event transitioned Thailand from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, significantly reshaping the nation's political landscape.
11 Dec 1932 World War II: Germany and Italy Declare War on the United States: During World War II, Germany and Italy officially declared war on the United States. In response, the United States immediately reciprocated by declaring war on both countries, escalating the global conflict.
12 Dec 1932 International War Debt Default: Five European countries (France, Poland, Belgium, Estonia, and Hungary) defaulted on their war debt payments to the United States. This default was a direct response to the U.S. Congress rejecting a debt reduction plan previously agreed upon at the Lausanne Conference, highlighting the economic tensions of the interwar period.
13 Dec 1932 Anti-Yugoslav Demonstration in Fascist Italy: A massive anti-Yugoslav demonstration erupted in Rome, reflecting the rising tensions between Fascist Italy and Yugoslavia. Benito Mussolini personally addressed the crowd from the balcony of Palazzo Venezia, dramatically condemning the 'Trogir incident' and signaling potential diplomatic escalation. His inflammatory rhetoric emphasized Italy's nationalist sentiments and suggested potential future confrontational actions.
14 Dec 1932 French Government Falls Over War Debt Dispute: The French Chamber of Deputies rejected Prime Minister Édouard Herriot's proposed payment plan for war debts to the United States. Following the rejection, the government was voted out of office, and the deputies decided to defer payment until an international debt conference could be held. This event highlights the economic tensions and diplomatic challenges in the aftermath of World War I.
15 Dec 1932 International War Debt Default Crisis of 1932: In a significant economic and diplomatic event, five European nations - France, Poland, Belgium, Estonia, and Hungary - collectively defaulted on their World War I war debt payments to the United States. This default was a direct response to the U.S. Congress's rejection of a debt reduction plan that had been previously negotiated at the Lausanne Conference. The default highlighted the ongoing economic tensions and financial strain in the aftermath of World War I, reflecting the complex international financial relationships and the economic pressures facing European nations during the Great Depression era.
16 Dec 1932 Uruguay Grants Women's Suffrage: Uruguay made a significant stride in democratic rights by granting women the right to vote and stand for election, marking an important milestone in the country's progression towards gender equality and political representation.
17 Dec 1932 Italian Musicians' Manifesto Against Musical Modernism: A group of Italian musicians published a manifesto defending 19th-century Romantic musical traditions, critically challenging contemporary modernist composers like Gian Francesco Malipiero and Alfredo Casella. The document represented a conservative artistic stance against emerging avant-garde musical movements.
18 Dec 1932 First NFL Championship Game: The Chicago Bears defeated the Portsmouth Spartans 9-0 in the first-ever NFL Championship Game. Due to a severe blizzard, the game was uniquely relocated from Wrigley Field to the Chicago Stadium, with the indoor field measuring only 80 yards long, significantly shorter than a standard football field.
19 Dec 1932 BBC Begins International Broadcasting: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) initiated its first overseas transmission, marking a significant milestone in global media communication. This groundbreaking event expanded the reach of British broadcasting beyond national borders, establishing a platform for international news, cultural exchange, and information dissemination.
20 Dec 1932 Significant Nevada Earthquake: A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the remote Cedar Mountains region of Nevada. Despite occurring in an uninhabited area, the seismic event was significant enough to be felt across considerable distances, including major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
21 Dec 1932 Collier Beer Bill Passes House of Representatives: In a significant legislative moment during the final years of Prohibition, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 230-165 to pass the 'Collier beer bill', which would legalize beer with 3.2% alcohol content. This vote represented a crucial step towards the eventual repeal of Prohibition in 1933.
22 Dec 1932 Founding of Kokumin Dōmei: Japanese Fascist Political Party: On December 22, 1932, the Kokumin Dōmei (National Mobilization League), a Japanese fascist political party, was established during a period of rising nationalist and militarist sentiment in pre-World War II Japan. This organization represented the growing ultranationalist movement that would significantly influence Japan's political landscape in the 1930s.
23 Dec 1932 First Telephone Service Between Hawaii and Mainland United States: On December 23, 1932, a significant milestone in telecommunications was achieved when regular telephone service was established between the Hawaiian Islands and the continental United States. This breakthrough connected Hawaii, then a U.S. territory, with the mainland, dramatically reducing communication barriers and bringing the distant Pacific territory closer to the rest of the nation.
24 Dec 1932 German Leaders' Christmas Appeal for Unemployed Youth: President Paul von Hindenburg and Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher issued a special Christmas appeal aimed at addressing the plight of 500,000 unemployed youths in Germany, highlighting the severe economic challenges of the Weimar Republic during the Great Depression.
25 Dec 1932 Devastating Gansu Earthquake in China: A catastrophic magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Gansu Province in China, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. The seismic event resulted in approximately 70,000 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes of the early 20th century.
26 Dec 1932 Devastating Kansu Earthquake in China: On December 26, 1932, a catastrophic earthquake struck the Gansu (Kansu) province in northwestern China, resulting in a massive loss of life with approximately 70,000 people killed. The earthquake was one of the most destructive seismic events in China during the early 20th century, causing widespread destruction across rural communities and highlighting the region's significant geological vulnerability.
27 Dec 1932 Radio City Music Hall Opens in New York City: Radio City Music Hall, known as the "Showplace of the Nation", officially opened in New York City. This iconic entertainment venue, located in the heart of Rockefeller Center, represents a landmark moment in American cultural and architectural history. Designed in the Art Deco style, the venue would become one of the most celebrated performance spaces in the world, hosting countless legendary performances and events.
28 Dec 1932 Soviet Union Introduces Internal Passport System: The Soviet Union announced a significant policy change mandating that all inhabitants over 16 years of age must carry passports and register with local police authorities whenever they move between localities. This new system represented a major shift in population control and movement tracking within the Soviet state.
29 Dec 1932 RKO Roxy Theatre Opens in Rockefeller Center: On December 29, 1932, the iconic RKO Roxy Theatre made its grand debut in New York City's prestigious Rockefeller Center. This state-of-the-art cinema venue represented the golden age of entertainment during the Great Depression, offering audiences a luxurious and immersive movie-going experience in the heart of Manhattan.
30 Dec 1932 DUPE: Romanian Communist Party Suppression: Romanian authorities conducted a massive crackdown, arresting 800 members of the Communist Party on charges of subversive activities, reflecting the political tensions of the early 1930s.
31 Dec 1932 New Year's Eve 1932: As the world prepared to transition from 1932 to 1933, this New Year's Eve occurred during the depths of the Great Depression. Global economic hardship was widespread, with high unemployment and economic uncertainty prevalent in many countries. In the United States, President Herbert Hoover was in his final days in office, and the nation was anticipating Franklin D. Roosevelt's upcoming presidency and the promise of the New Deal.