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

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

01 Feb 1932 Publication of Brave New World: Aldous Huxley's groundbreaking dystopian science fiction novel 'Brave New World' was published, presenting a provocative vision of a technologically advanced future society set over 600 years ahead. The book would become a seminal work exploring themes of technological control, social conditioning, and individual freedom.
02 Feb 1932 Al Capone's Imprisonment: Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone was sent to prison, marking a significant moment in the fight against organized crime during the Prohibition era.
03 Feb 1932 World Disarmament Conference in Geneva: The General World Disarmament Conference commenced in Geneva, focusing on critical international tensions. The primary discussions centered on Germany's demand for 'Gleichberechtigung' (equality of status) and France's insistence on 'sécurité' (security), reflecting the complex diplomatic landscape of the interwar period.
04 Feb 1932 Japanese Occupation of Harbin: During the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces occupied the city of Harbin in Manchuria, China. This event was part of Japan's expansionist strategy in Northeast Asia, which would eventually escalate into full-scale conflict with China.
05 Feb 1932 Gandhi's Spinning Wheel Seized: As part of a tax enforcement action, British colonial authorities seized Mahatma Gandhi's symbolic spinning wheel (charkha) and other personal items. This act was significant as the spinning wheel was a powerful symbol of Gandhi's non-violent resistance and economic self-sufficiency movement against British colonial rule.
06 Feb 1932 Nanjing Bombardment: Japanese warships bombarded the city of Nanjing, an early and significant event in the escalating Japanese aggression towards China preceding World War II.
07 Feb 1932 Pearl Harbor Naval War Game Foreshadows Future Conflict: On February 7, 1932, the U.S. Navy conducted 'Fleet Problem #13', a strategic military exercise at Pearl Harbor led by Rear Admiral Harry Yarnell. The simulation involved a simulated attack by a hypothetical Asian island nation, utilizing 152 aircraft launched from two aircraft carriers. The drill was remarkably prescient, demonstrating an attack strategy that closely mirrored the actual Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor nine years later. Yarnell's forces achieved complete tactical surprise by first targeting airfields and then attacking ships along battleship row, a scenario that would become tragically real on December 7, 1941.
08 Feb 1932 Birth of John Williams, Legendary Film Composer: John Towner Williams was born in Flushing, New York, USA. He would go on to become one of the most renowned and influential film composers in history, known for iconic musical scores for films like Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and many others. Williams has been the primary composer for Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and has conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra, significantly impacting 20th and 21st-century film music.
09 Feb 1932 Birth of John Williams: John Williams, the legendary film composer, was born in New York City. Throughout his career, he would create iconic musical scores for blockbuster films like *Jaws*, *Star Wars*, *Harry Potter*, and *Indiana Jones*, profoundly influencing the landscape of film music.
10 Feb 1932 Scientific Discovery by Edward Charles Baly: Edward Charles Baly demonstrated a groundbreaking scientific finding that organic compounds, including sugars, can be photochemically formed from water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. This research significantly contributed to understanding the potential origins of organic molecules and early chemical processes.
11 Feb 1932 Mussolini's First Vatican Visit: On the third anniversary of the Lateran Treaty, Fascist Italian leader Benito Mussolini made his inaugural visit to the Vatican, meeting Pope Pius XI. This significant diplomatic encounter symbolized the reconciliation between the Italian state and the Catholic Church after decades of tension.
12 Feb 1932 Andrew Mellon Resigns as U.S. Treasury Secretary: Andrew Mellon, a prominent banker and industrialist who served as U.S. Treasury Secretary under three presidents (Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover), stepped down from his position. Mellon was a key figure in shaping U.S. economic policy during the early stages of the Great Depression.
13 Feb 1932 Birth of Medal of Honor Recipient Leo Thorsness: Leo Thorsness, a distinguished American military pilot, was born in Minnesota. During the Vietnam War, he demonstrated extraordinary heroism in aerial combat, which later earned him the prestigious Medal of Honor for his exceptional courage and service to the United States.
14 Feb 1932 Record Low Cricket Score: South Africa Bowled Out for 36 Against Australia: In a remarkable cricket match, the South African national cricket team was dramatically dismissed for an incredibly low score of just 36 runs in their first innings against Australia. Australian bowler Bert Ironmonger was particularly devastating, taking 5 wickets while conceding only 6 runs, which contributed significantly to South Africa's historic batting collapse.
15 Feb 1932 III Olympic Winter Games Conclude in Lake Placid: The Third Winter Olympic Games officially closed in Lake Placid, New York, marking the end of a significant international sporting event during the early 1930s.
16 Feb 1932 Elizabeth Taylor Birth: Elizabeth Taylor, the iconic English-born American film actress who would become one of Hollywood's most celebrated stars, was born in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London. She would go on to have a legendary career in cinema and humanitarian work.
17 Feb 1932 Death of Albert Johnson, the 'Mad Trapper of Rat River': Albert Johnson, infamously known as the 'Mad Trapper of Rat River', died on February 17, 1932, after a dramatic manhunt in the remote wilderness of Canada's Northwest Territories. His extraordinary pursuit by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) became one of the most legendary and challenging manhunts in Canadian history. Johnson, an enigmatic and elusive figure, was pursued across the harsh Arctic landscape in winter conditions, leading to a series of confrontations that captured national attention.
18 Feb 1932 Japan Creates Manchukuo: The Empire of Japan formally declares the independence of Manchukuo, a puppet state created in northeastern China (comprising Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces). This action follows Japan's invasion and occupation of Manchuria, with former Chinese Emperor Aisin Gioro Puyi installed as the state's Chief Executive.
19 Feb 1932 William Faulkner Completes 'Light in August': William Faulkner completed his seminal novel 'Light in August', a profound exploration of racial tensions and individual identity in the American South during the early 20th century. The novel, which would become a significant work in modernist literature, delves into complex themes of race, isolation, and personal struggle through its intricate narrative.
20 Feb 1932 Japanese House of Representatives Election: A significant parliamentary election was held in Japan for the 466-seat House of Representatives. The Rikken Seiyūkai party, led by Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi, secured a decisive victory by winning 127 seats and gaining control with 301 seats, decisively defeating the rival Rikken Minseitō party which previously held 273 seats.
21 Feb 1932 Trotsky's Banishment from Soviet Union: Leon Trotsky, a prominent Bolshevik revolutionary and key figure in the Russian Revolution, was officially banished from the Soviet Union along with 36 other political opponents by Joseph Stalin, marking a critical moment in the consolidation of Stalin's power.
22 Feb 1932 Birth of Ted Kennedy: Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. He would later become a prominent Democratic Senator representing Massachusetts for nearly five decades, emerging as a significant political figure in 20th-century American politics.
23 Feb 1932 Uneventful Day in 1932: While no specific major historical events were recorded for February 23, 1932, this date falls within a significant period of global transition. The early 1930s were marked by the Great Depression, rising tensions in Europe, and significant political changes worldwide. The lack of a notable event does not diminish the historical context of this time.
24 Feb 1932 Brazil Grants Women's Suffrage: On February 24, 1932, Brazil made a pivotal advancement in women's political rights by officially granting women the right to vote. This landmark legislation was a crucial step towards gender equality in Brazilian democratic processes, allowing women to participate fully in the nation's political landscape.
25 Feb 1932 Hitler Obtains German Citizenship: On February 25, 1932, Adolf Hitler, who had been stateless for seven years, strategically obtained German citizenship through an appointment as a Brunswick state official by Dietrich Klagges, a fellow Nazi Party member. This calculated move enabled Hitler to legally run for the Reichspräsident position in the upcoming 1932 election, marking a crucial turning point in his political career.
26 Feb 1932 Birth of Johnny Cash: On February 26, 1932, John R. "Johnny" Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas. He would go on to become one of the most influential American country music singers of the 20th century, known for his distinctive deep baritone voice and songs that blended country, rock, blues, and gospel genres. Cash's legendary career spanned several decades, and he was inducted into multiple music halls of fame, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
27 Feb 1932 Mäntsälä Rebellion Erupts in Finland: On February 27, 1932, the Mäntsälä rebellion began when members of the far-right Lapua Movement initiated a violent confrontation by shooting at a social democrats' event in Mäntsälä, Finland. This incident represented a critical moment of political tension and potential civil conflict in the country, highlighting the deep ideological divisions within Finnish society during the interwar period.
28 Feb 1932 Richard Spikes Invents Automatic Gear Shift: On February 28, 1932, African American inventor Richard Spikes patented a groundbreaking innovation in automotive technology: the automatic gear shift. This invention significantly simplified driving by eliminating the need for manual gear changing, making automobiles more accessible and easier to operate for a broader range of drivers. Spikes' patent represented a crucial step in the evolution of automotive engineering, paving the way for future automatic transmission systems.
29 Feb 1932 Mäntsälä Uprising in Finland: A dramatic confrontation occurred between Finnish government troops and approximately 5,000 members of the Lapua Movement who were attempting to march on Helsinki, representing a critical moment of civil unrest in Finnish political history.