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

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

  • 01 Nov 1932 Wernher von Braun Leads German Rocket Program: Wernher von Braun was appointed as the head of Germany's liquid-fuel rocket research and development program, marking a significant moment in the early stages of rocket science and aerospace engineering. This appointment would later prove crucial to both German military rocket technology during World War II and subsequent space exploration efforts.
  • 02 Nov 1932 The Great Emu War of Western Australia: In a bizarre chapter of Australian military history, the government of Western Australia launched a military-style operation against a population of emus causing significant agricultural damage in the Campion district. Major G.P.W. Meredith of the Seventh Heavy Battery was dispatched with two Lewis guns to combat the large, flightless birds that were devastating wheat crops. Despite being armed soldiers against birds, the emus proved surprisingly elusive and resilient, ultimately 'defeating' the military intervention through their unpredictable movements and ability to quickly disperse.
  • 03 Nov 1932 Berlin Transit Workers Strike: On November 3, 1932, approximately 15,000 transit employees in Berlin went on strike, reflecting the intense political tensions of the Weimar Republic era. The strike was notably influenced by both Communist and Nazi political factions, highlighting the volatile political climate in Germany just before Hitler's rise to power.
  • 04 Nov 1932 Mussolini's Megalomaniacal Monument: In a dramatic display of personal propaganda, Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini unveiled a towering 54-foot high obelisk in Rome, prominently featuring his own name carved in massive letters. This monument symbolized the cult of personality surrounding Mussolini and the narcissistic tendencies of his authoritarian regime.
  • 05 Nov 1932 Lancashire Cotton Workers Strike Concludes: On November 5, 1932, a significant labor dispute involving 200,000 cotton workers in Lancashire, England, came to an end after five days of strike action. The workers reluctantly agreed to wage cuts, reflecting the economic hardships of the Great Depression era.
  • 06 Nov 1932 1932 German Federal Election: The German federal elections were held on November 6, 1932, marking a significant political moment in the Weimar Republic. The Nazi Party (NSDAP), led by Adolf Hitler, experienced a notable electoral setback, losing approximately 2 million votes and 35 parliamentary seats. Despite these losses, the Nazis remained the largest party in the Reichstag. Simultaneously, the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) gained 11 seats, securing exactly 100 seats in the parliament, reflecting the intense political polarization of the era.
  • 07 Nov 1932 Buck Rogers Radio Debut: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century first aired on radio, marking a significant milestone in science fiction broadcasting. This pioneering radio program introduced audiences to a futuristic adventure series that would become a landmark in early science fiction entertainment.
  • 08 Nov 1932 1932 United States Presidential Election: Franklin D. Roosevelt decisively defeats incumbent President Herbert Hoover in a historic election that marks a pivotal moment in American political history. Roosevelt's landslide victory signals a dramatic shift in public sentiment during the depths of the Great Depression, promising significant economic and social reforms through his New Deal policies.
  • 09 Nov 1932 Geneva Massacre: Swiss military forces opened fire on a socialist anti-fascist demonstration in Geneva, resulting in 13 fatalities and 60 injuries. This violent suppression of political protest underscores the volatile political climate and governmental response to social unrest during this period.
  • 10 Nov 1932 Nazi Student Riots at Breslau University Against Jewish Professor: On November 10, 1932, a significant antisemitic incident occurred at Breslau University (now Wrocław University in Poland), where Nazi student groups violently demonstrated against the appointment of a Jewish law professor. These riots were part of the escalating antisemitic tensions in German academic institutions during the rise of Nazi ideology, reflecting the growing discrimination and hostility towards Jewish academics in pre-World War II Germany.
  • 11 Nov 1932 Latvia-Soviet Trade Negotiations Collapse: On November 11, 1932, diplomatic tensions escalated as Latvia and the Soviet Union terminated five weeks of unsuccessful trade negotiations. The breakdown in talks highlighted the complex geopolitical and economic relations between the newly independent Baltic state and the Soviet regime during the interwar period.
  • 12 Nov 1932 Lancashire Mine Explosion Tragedy: A devastating mining disaster occurred at the Edge Green colliery in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester, England. The explosion resulted in the tragic loss of 24-25 miners' lives, highlighting the dangerous working conditions in coal mines during the early 20th century.
  • 13 Nov 1932 Sullivan Brothers Tragically Lost in World War II: The five Sullivan Brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, were killed when the USS Juneau was sunk by a Japanese torpedo near Guadalcanal during World War II. Their collective loss was so profound that it prompted the U.S. Navy to change regulations, prohibiting close relatives from serving on the same ship to prevent similar family tragedies.
  • 14 Nov 1932 Boulder Dam Construction Milestone: A significant engineering achievement occurred during the construction of the Hoover Dam (originally called Boulder Dam), as diversion tunnels on the Arizona side of the Colorado River were successfully filled with water. This marked a critical phase in the massive infrastructure project that would help control flooding, provide hydroelectric power, and support water management in the southwestern United States.
  • 15 Nov 1932 Soviet Labor Law Restricts Worker Rights: The Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union enacted a stringent labor law that imposed severe penalties on workers who missed work without a compelling reason. Under this law, employees could face immediate dismissal, loss of housing, and forfeiture of government service benefits for a single unexcused absence, reflecting the strict labor policies of the Stalinist era.
  • 16 Nov 1932 Franz von Papen Resigns as German Chancellor: Franz von Papen resigned from his position as Chancellor of Germany, marking another period of political instability in the Weimar Republic. His resignation came during a tumultuous time in German politics, just before the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
  • 17 Nov 1932 German Government Leadership Change: The government led by Chancellor Franz von Papen resigned, marking a significant political transition in Germany during the tumultuous early years of the Weimar Republic.
  • 18 Nov 1932 5th Academy Awards Ceremony: The 5th Academy Awards were held at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, marking a significant milestone in early Hollywood history. During this prestigious event, the film 'Grand Hotel' was awarded Best Picture, and a historic moment occurred when Fredric March and Wallace Beery became the first actors to tie for Best Actor.
  • 19 Nov 1932 Industrial Magnates Push for Hitler's Chancellorship: Prominent industrialists Alfred Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (Shaft) and Fritz Thyssen actively lobbied for Adolf Hitler to be appointed as the German Chancellor, signaling growing support from powerful economic elites for the Nazi Party's political ambitions.
  • 20 Nov 1932 Assassination Attempt on French Prime Minister Édouard Herriot: A serious political incident occurred when a bomb was strategically placed on a railway track, intended to target French Prime Minister Édouard Herriot. The bomb was set to detonate an hour before the Prime Minister's train was scheduled to pass, suggesting a premeditated assassination attempt during a politically turbulent period in 1930s France.
  • 21 Nov 1932 Hitler Declines Initial Chancellorship Offer: In a pivotal moment of German political history, Adolf Hitler was offered the chancellorship by President Paul von Hindenburg. However, Hitler strategically refused to accept the offer due to Hindenburg's conditions, which included running a coalition cabinet and respecting previous governmental decrees. This rejection would set the stage for future political maneuvering that would ultimately lead to his rise to power.
  • 22 Nov 1932 Transition Meeting Between Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt: In a pivotal pre-inauguration meeting, outgoing President Herbert Hoover and president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt engaged in a two-hour discussion in Washington, symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power during the challenging Great Depression era.
  • 23 Nov 1932 Leon Trotsky's Controversial Arrival in Denmark: Leon Trotsky, a prominent Russian revolutionary and former leader of the Red Army, arrived in Denmark to deliver a lecture in Copenhagen about the Russian Revolution. His visit was marked by significant tension, with local police providing extensive security at the Esbjerg dock. Approximately 300 communist protesters gathered to denounce Trotsky, labeling him a traitor to the communist cause, reflecting the deep political divisions within the international communist movement during this period.
  • 24 Nov 1932 FBI Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory Established: On November 24, 1932, the FBI Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory (FBI Crime Lab) was officially opened in Washington, D.C. This groundbreaking forensic facility would become a pivotal institution in modern criminal investigation, providing scientific analysis and evidence processing for law enforcement agencies across the United States.
  • 25 Nov 1932 Uneventful Day in 1932: While no specific major historical events were documented for November 25, 1932, this period was part of the challenging era of the Great Depression. During this time, many countries were experiencing significant economic hardship, with high unemployment rates and widespread poverty following the stock market crash of 1929.
  • 26 Nov 1932 Uneventful Day in 1932: While no specific major historical events were recorded for November 26, 1932, this period was during the Great Depression, a significant economic downturn affecting many parts of the world. The United States was experiencing severe economic challenges under President Herbert Hoover's administration, with high unemployment and widespread economic hardship. Global political tensions were also rising, with the rise of fascism in Europe and economic instability in many countries.
  • 27 Nov 1932 Poland-USSR Non-Aggression Treaty: Poland and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression treaty, marking a significant diplomatic effort to maintain peaceful relations between the two countries during a tense period in European geopolitics.
  • 28 Nov 1932 France-USSR Non-Aggression Pact Signed: On November 28, 1932, France and the Soviet Union signed a bilateral non-aggression treaty, marking a significant diplomatic moment in European international relations during the interwar period. This agreement represented an attempt to reduce tensions and prevent potential military conflicts between the two nations.
  • 29 Nov 1932 France-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact: France and the Soviet Union signed a Pact of Non-Aggression, marking a significant diplomatic agreement during the interwar period aimed at maintaining peace and reducing potential military tensions between the two nations.
  • 30 Nov 1932 Soviet Emigration Policy: On November 30, 1932, the Soviet Union announced a controversial emigration policy that would allow citizens to leave the country, but only upon payment of a substantial fee in foreign currency. This policy highlighted the Soviet regime's complex approach to population movement, effectively creating a financial barrier to emigration and attempting to generate foreign currency revenue.