previous year1929
1930193119321933193419351936193719381939
1940next year

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

history

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

  • 01 Jan 1932 Gandhi Prepares for Civil Disobedience: Mahatma Gandhi issued a strategic statement calling on Indians to prepare for resuming the civil disobedience campaign against British colonial rule, signaling continued resistance and political mobilization.
  • 02 Jan 1932 Deadly Train Collision near Moscow: A catastrophic train collision on the Kazan railway line resulted in a significant loss of life, with 68 people killed and 131 injured. The tragic accident exposed potential safety issues in Soviet transportation infrastructure during the early 1930s.
  • 03 Jan 1932 United States Severs Diplomatic Relations with Cuba: On January 3, 1932, the United States officially severed diplomatic relations with Cuba, marking a significant moment in the complex diplomatic history between the two nations. This action likely stemmed from political tensions and ideological differences during the early 20th century.
  • 04 Jan 1932 Gandhi's Arrest in Civil Disobedience Movement: Mahatma Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned in Yerwada Central Jail after the Congress Party decided to resume civil disobedience against British emergency measures, marking a significant moment in India's independence struggle.
  • 05 Jan 1932 Chuck Noll's Birth: Chuck Noll, a legendary American football player and head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was born in Ohio. He would go on to become one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, leading the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories during the 1970s.
  • 06 Jan 1932 Joseph Lyons Becomes Australian Prime Minister: Joseph Lyons was elected as the Prime Minister of Australia, leading the United Australia Party. He served from 1932 to 1939 and was notable for guiding Australia through the challenging economic period of the Great Depression.
  • 07 Jan 1932 Stimson Doctrine Announced: The United States government formally declared the Stimson Doctrine, which stated that the U.S. would not recognize Japan's territorial claims over Manchuria, signaling diplomatic resistance to Japanese imperial expansion.
  • 08 Jan 1932 Assassination Attempt on Emperor Hirohito: An assassination attempt was made against Japan's Emperor Hirohito by Korean independence activist Lee Bong-chang, who threw a hand grenade at the imperial carriage as it was leaving the Sakuradamon Gate of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
  • 09 Jan 1932 Germany Refuses Reparations Payments: German Chancellor Heinrich Brüning announced that Germany would refuse to pay any more reparations, citing the country's dire economic situation as making further payments impossible. This declaration was a significant moment in the aftermath of World War I, highlighting Germany's economic distress during the Great Depression.
  • 10 Jan 1932 Assassination Attempt on Emperor Hirohito: Korean independence activist Lee Bong-chang attempted to assassinate Japanese Emperor Hirohito by throwing a hand grenade at the imperial carriage near the Sakuradamon Gate of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, reflecting the rising tensions between Korea and Japan.
  • 11 Jan 1932 Hitler and Hugenberg Oppose Hindenburg's Term Extension: Adolf Hitler and Alfred Hugenberg informed Chancellor Heinrich Brüning that they would not support the proposed one-year extension of President Paul von Hindenburg's presidential term, signaling growing political tension in the Weimar Republic.
  • 12 Jan 1932 Hattie W. Caraway: First Elected Woman Senator: Hattie W. Caraway made history by becoming the first woman elected to the United States Senate, representing Arkansas and breaking significant gender barriers in American political representation.
  • 13 Jan 1932 Birth of Joseph Zen: Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, a prominent Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of Hong Kong, was born. He would later become a significant religious and political figure known for his advocacy of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong.
  • 14 Jan 1932 Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major Premiere: On January 14, 1932, Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major was performed for the first time at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, showcasing the composer's innovative musical style blending jazz influences with classical composition techniques.
  • 15 Jan 1932 Rare Snowfall at UCLA Campus in 1932: On January 15, 1932, UCLA experienced an extraordinary and exceptionally rare meteorological event when the entire campus was blanketed in snow. By 8 a.m., students arrived to find a breathtaking winter landscape: red-brick buildings adorned with a pristine white layer, trees and shrubs transformed into cotton-like sculptures, and the iconic Royce Quad covered in two inches of glistening snow. The unexpected snowfall triggered playful student activities, which initially concerned campus authorities. However, the administration demonstrated remarkable understanding, allowing students to enjoy the unique moment despite potential minor injuries and property damages.
  • 16 Jan 1932 Nazi Party Ultimatum to Chancellor Brüning: On January 16, 1932, Reichstag member Hermann Göring delivered a politically charged ultimatum to Chancellor Heinrich Brüning on behalf of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. This event highlighted the increasing political tension in the Weimar Republic and signaled the growing assertiveness of the Nazi movement in challenging the existing democratic government.
  • 17 Jan 1932 Soviet Train Disaster Information Disclosure: On January 17, 1932, the Soviet government officially released details about a significant train accident that occurred on January 2, addressing widespread speculation and rumors about the incident. By providing transparency, the government sought to quell public anxiety and control the narrative surrounding the tragic event. The disclosure came after weeks of speculation that had inflated potential casualty numbers, demonstrating the Soviet regime's careful management of information during this period.
  • 18 Jan 1932 Political Violence in Berlin: Nazi-Communist Clash: On January 18, 1932, a violent confrontation erupted between Nazi Party supporters and Communist Party members in the Reinickendorf borough of Berlin, resulting in two fatalities and seven injuries. The intense street battle highlighted the growing political polarization in Weimar Germany, with tensions between far-right and far-left political factions reaching a critical point. Local police responded by making 50 arrests, attempting to restore order in the increasingly volatile urban landscape.
  • 19 Jan 1932 Charlie Conacher's Five-Goal Game: On January 19, 1932, Charlie Conacher made hockey history by becoming the first Toronto Maple Leafs player to score five goals in a single game. Remarkably, his first goal came just 7 seconds into the match, setting an electrifying tone for his extraordinary performance. This achievement was a significant milestone in early NHL history, showcasing Conacher's exceptional scoring prowess and establishing a remarkable record for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
  • 20 Jan 1932 Imperial Airways Launches London to Cape Town Route: Imperial Airways inaugurated its groundbreaking regular passenger service connecting London and Cape Town, South Africa. This pioneering route covered an impressive 8,000 miles and was scheduled to take ten and a half days, representing a significant milestone in early commercial aviation and British imperial transportation infrastructure.
  • 21 Jan 1932 Finland-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Signed: On January 21, 1932, Finland and the Soviet Union formally signed a five-year Pact of Non-Aggression, establishing a diplomatic agreement to prevent military conflict between the two nations during the interwar period.
  • 22 Jan 1932 Reconstruction Finance Corporation Established: The United States government created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) as a critical financial institution to provide emergency lending and financial assistance to banks, railroads, and other financial institutions during the depths of the Great Depression. This federal agency was a key part of President Herbert Hoover's economic recovery strategy, aimed at stabilizing the nation's financial system and preventing widespread economic collapse.
  • 23 Jan 1932 Roosevelt Presidential Campaign Launch: On January 23, 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States by permitting a letter to be publicized consenting to have his name entered in the North Dakota primary. This marked the beginning of his historic presidential campaign that would ultimately lead to his election and four transformative terms as president during the Great Depression and World War II.
  • 24 Jan 1932 End of Libyan Resistance by Italian Forces: Marshal Pietro Badoglio officially declared the end of Libyan resistance against Italian colonial occupation. This marked a significant moment in the Italian colonization of Libya, effectively solidifying Italian control over the North African territory through military suppression of local resistance movements.
  • 25 Jan 1932 Chinese Defense of Harbin Begins: During the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese National Revolutionary Army initiated defensive operations to protect the strategic city of Harbin in Manchuria against Japanese forces.
  • 26 Jan 1932 Hitler's Speech to Düsseldorf Industry Club: Adolf Hitler delivered a strategic speech to business leaders, attempting to assuage their concerns about his political policies and economic intentions. This speech was part of his broader strategy to gain support from Germany's industrial elite.
  • 27 Jan 1932 Prince of Wales Speech Disrupted by Protesters: On January 27, 1932, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) was delivering a speech about the economic challenges of the time at the Royal Albert Hall when a group of women protesters interrupted his address. The women, likely representing a social or political movement, attempted to draw attention to their cause by shouting slogans during the royal speech, creating a notable moment of public disruption.
  • 28 Jan 1932 First Battle of Shanghai Begins: Japanese forces launched a significant military offensive in Shanghai, China, marking the start of the First Battle of Shanghai. This conflict represented a critical escalation in Japanese imperial aggression and territorial expansion in East Asia during the early 1930s.
  • 29 Jan 1932 Japanese Bombing of Chapei, Shanghai: Japanese military forces conducted a devastating terror bombing of the Chapei district in northern Shanghai, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties. This brutal attack represented an early example of Japan's emerging policy of indiscriminate bombing of civilian populations, which would become a hallmark of their military strategy during World War II.
  • 30 Jan 1932 Chiang Kai-shek Prepares China for Potential Conflict: In a critical moment of rising tensions, Chiang Kai-shek sent an urgent telegram to China's military commanders, instructing them to prepare defensive strategies and fight for the nation's survival, signaling the growing threat of potential invasion or internal conflict.
  • 31 Jan 1932 US and British Warships Deployed to Shanghai: In response to escalating regional tensions, the United States and Great Britain dispatched warships to Shanghai to ensure the safety of their respective citizens amid growing international conflict in China.