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

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

  • 01 May 1932 Assassination of French President Paul Doumer: French President Paul Doumer was assassinated by Paul Gorguloff (corrected name spelling), a Russian émigré, in a shocking political murder that stunned the French nation and highlighted the political tensions of the early 1930s.
  • 02 May 1932 Pearl S. Buck Wins Pulitzer Prize for 'The Good Earth': Pearl S. Buck was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her groundbreaking novel 'The Good Earth', which provided Western readers with a profound and empathetic portrayal of rural Chinese life during the early 20th century. The novel would later contribute significantly to cross-cultural understanding between the United States and China.
  • 03 May 1932 1932 Pulitzer Prizes Awarded: The 1932 Pulitzer Prizes were announced, with several notable achievements. *Of Thee I Sing* became the first musical to win the Prize for drama. Journalist Walter Duranty of *The New York Times* won for his Soviet Union coverage, a decision later criticized for presenting an uncritical view of Stalin's regime. Pearl S. Buck's *The Good Earth* won the Prize for fiction.
  • 04 May 1932 Al Capone Imprisoned for Tax Evasion: Notorious Chicago mobster Al Capone was convicted and entered Atlanta Penitentiary to serve an eleven-year prison sentence for income tax evasion, marking a significant legal victory against organized crime during the Prohibition era.
  • 05 May 1932 Japan-China Peace Treaty Signing: On May 5, 1932, Japan and China signed a significant peace treaty, marking a diplomatic effort to resolve ongoing tensions between the two nations during a period of regional instability.
  • 06 May 1932 Secret Political Negotiations Between Von Schleicher and Hitler: On May 6, 1932, General Kurt von Schleicher engaged in a clandestine meeting with Adolf Hitler, negotiating a strategic political agreement. The 'gentlemen's agreement' involved the Nazi Party supporting Schleicher's bid for chancellorship in exchange for lifting the ban on the SA and SS paramilitary organizations and dissolving the Reichstag for early elections. This meeting was a critical moment in the political maneuvering that would eventually lead to Hitler's rise to power.
  • 07 May 1932 French President Assassinated: Paul Doumer, the 75-year-old President of France, died from wounds sustained in an assassination the previous day, marking a significant political tragedy in early 1930s France.
  • 08 May 1932 French Legislative Election of 1932: The second round of the French legislative election took place, with the left-wing coalition Cartel des Gauches narrowly defeating centrist and conservative parties. This election reflected the complex political landscape of France during the interwar period.
  • 09 May 1932 Piccadilly Circus Illuminated by Electricity: On this historic day, Piccadilly Circus in London, England, was first illuminated by electricity, marking a significant milestone in urban modernization and technological advancement. This transformation symbolized the growing electrification of public spaces in early 20th-century Europe.
  • 10 May 1932 Wellington Relief Workers Riot Over Unemployment Act: In a dramatic protest against economic hardship, approximately 4,000 relief workers marched on the New Zealand parliament in Wellington, demanding the repeal of the Unemployment Amendment Act. The demonstration escalated into a riot after Public Works Minister Gordon Coates delayed the government's response. Protesters smashed over 200 windows and looted shops before police restored order in the city centre.
  • 11 May 1932 Britain Warns Irish Free State on Oath of Allegiance: On May 11, 1932, the British government issued a stern diplomatic warning to the Irish Free State, stating that it would revoke tariff preferences if the state proceeded to abolish the Oath of Allegiance to the British monarch, highlighting the ongoing tensions in Anglo-Irish relations.
  • 12 May 1932 Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping Tragedy: The body of Charles Lindbergh's infant son was discovered near the family's home in Hopewell, New Jersey, marking a devastating conclusion to a ten-week kidnapping ordeal that had captured national attention. The tragic discovery shocked the American public and became one of the most infamous criminal cases of the early 20th century.
  • 13 May 1932 Attack on Former Spanish King Alfonso XIII: While visiting his son in Marseilles, France, former King Alfonso XIII was unexpectedly attacked by a Spanish republican who struck him multiple times in the face. The assailant was quickly apprehended by authorities, highlighting the political tensions in Spain during this tumultuous period.
  • 14 May 1932 We Want Beer! Parade in New York: A massive public demonstration against Prohibition, where thousands of New Yorkers marched to protest the alcohol ban, symbolizing growing public discontent with the nationwide alcohol restrictions.
  • 15 May 1932 Assassination of Japanese Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi: On May 15, 1932, Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated by 11 young naval officers in an attempted coup d'état. The ultranationalist plotters, including naval officers and army cadets from the League of Blood, confronted Inukai at his residence, spoke with him briefly, and then shot him around 5:30 PM. He succumbed to his injuries later that night at 11:20 PM.
  • 16 May 1932 Tragic Fire on Ocean Liner MS Georges Philippar: A devastating fire erupted aboard the ocean liner MS Georges Philippar while at sea, approximately 145 miles off the coast of Africa near Cape Guardafui in Italian Somaliland. The catastrophic incident resulted in the tragic loss of 54 lives, marking a significant maritime disaster of the early 1930s.
  • 17 May 1932 Deadly Hindu-Muslim Riots in Bombay: British Indian troops suppress communal violence in Bombay, resulting in a tragic loss of 88 lives when troops opened fire on rioting crowds, highlighting the intense religious tensions during the colonial period.
  • 18 May 1932 Birth of Dean Tavoularis, Renowned Production Designer: Dean Tavoularis, a distinguished Greek-American motion picture production designer known for his iconic work in cinema, was born on May 18, 1932. Throughout his illustrious career, Tavoularis would become renowned for his groundbreaking visual design, particularly his collaborations with legendary directors like Francis Ford Coppola on films such as 'The Godfather' trilogy and 'Apocalypse Now'.
  • 19 May 1932 Irish Dáil Abolishes Oath of Allegiance to British Monarch: On May 19, 1932, the Irish Dáil (parliament) passed a significant bill to abolish the Oath of Allegiance to the British monarch, marking another pivotal step in Ireland's journey towards complete political independence. The bill passed with a narrow margin of 77 votes to 69, reflecting the deep political divisions of the time. This legislative action was part of the broader process of deconstructing British constitutional ties following the Irish Free State's establishment in 1922.
  • 20 May 1932 Amelia Earhart's Historic Transatlantic Solo Flight: Amelia Earhart made aviation history by becoming the first woman and second person overall to complete a solo nonstop transatlantic flight. Departing from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, she navigated challenging icy conditions and successfully landed in a farmer's pasture in Ireland after a grueling fifteen-hour journey. This groundbreaking achievement significantly advanced women's representation in aviation and challenged existing gender barriers in exploration.
  • 21 May 1932 Amelia Earhart's Historic Transatlantic Solo Flight: On May 21, 1932, pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart made history by becoming the first woman to successfully complete a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Despite challenging weather conditions, she skillfully navigated her aircraft and landed in a pasture near Derry, Northern Ireland, after a grueling 14-hour and 56-minute journey from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. Her remarkable achievement covered approximately 2,026 miles and solidified her status as a groundbreaking female pilot, inspiring generations of women in aviation.
  • 22 May 1932 Amelia Earhart's Historic Solo Atlantic Crossing: On May 22, 1932, pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart made history by becoming the first woman to complete a solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Flying her Lockheed Vega 5B, she departed from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, and landed near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, after a challenging 14-hour, 56-minute journey. This groundbreaking achievement not only challenged gender barriers in aviation but also solidified Earhart's reputation as one of the most significant pilots of the 20th century.
  • 23 May 1932 Einstein's Call for Global Disarmament: In Geneva, renowned physicist Albert Einstein made a passionate plea for global peace, urging pacifists worldwide to demand complete disarmament within the next five years, highlighting his commitment to international conflict resolution.
  • 24 May 1932 Nazi Reichstag Motion on Danzig Tensions: In a politically charged session, Nazi legislators in the German Reichstag passed a motion by a narrow 11-10 vote, signaling Germany's aggressive stance towards potential conflicts involving the Free City of Danzig (modern Gdańsk). The motion explicitly warned Poland that any perceived attack on Danzig would be interpreted as a direct threat to Germany's vital interests, heightening diplomatic tensions in pre-World War II Europe.
  • 25 May 1932 Birth of K. C. Jones: K. C. Jones, a legendary American professional basketball player and coach, was born. Jones would go on to have a remarkable career in basketball, winning multiple NBA championships both as a player with the Boston Celtics and later as a coach.
  • 26 May 1932 Hamburg Food Riot Turns Violent: A deadly confrontation erupted during a food riot in Hamburg, resulting in the deaths of a policeman and a communist, highlighting the social tensions and economic hardships of the early 1930s in Germany.
  • 27 May 1932 Sydney Harbour Bridge Opening: The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge was officially opened, marking a significant milestone in Australian infrastructure and engineering. The steel through arch bridge, designed by British firm Dorman Long of Middlesbrough, became an instant symbol of Sydney and a critical transportation link connecting the city's northern and southern shores.
  • 28 May 1932 Completion of the Afsluitdijk and Transformation of Zuiderzee: On May 28, 1932, the Netherlands completed the construction of the Afsluitdijk, a massive hydraulic engineering project that closed off the Zuiderzee bay from the North Sea. This monumental dam transformed the saltwater bay into the freshwater IJsselmeer, marking a significant milestone in Dutch water management and land reclamation efforts. The project not only protected the coastal regions from flooding but also created new agricultural lands and improved the region's water resources.
  • 29 May 1932 Amelia Earhart's Historic Solo Atlantic Flight: Amelia Earhart became the first woman to complete a solo transatlantic flight, a groundbreaking achievement in aviation history that challenged gender barriers and advanced women's recognition in aeronautics. Her courageous journey significantly contributed to the progression of female pilots and international aviation exploration.
  • 30 May 1932 End of Brüning Chancellorship in Germany: President Paul von Hindenburg dismissed Chancellor Heinrich Brüning, marking a critical moment in the decline of the Weimar Republic. Hindenburg appointed Franz von Papen to form a new government, which was explicitly anti-democratic and set the stage for the eventual rise of Nazi power in Germany.
  • 31 May 1932 Political Shifts in Germany and Japanese Diplomacy: In a significant political transition, German President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Franz von Papen as the new Chancellor of Germany, marking another unstable period in the Weimar Republic's governance. Simultaneously, international diplomatic pressure compelled Japan to agree to a ceasefire, likely related to ongoing regional tensions or military conflicts.