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

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

01 Sep 1932 Hitler Challenges Von Papen at Nazi Rally: Adolf Hitler delivered a provocative speech at the Berlin Sportpalast, directly challenging Franz von Papen to dissolve the Reichstag. This speech was a significant moment in the political maneuvering that would eventually lead to Hitler's rise to power in Germany.
03 Sep 1932 Hitler's Provocative Speech at Berlin Sportpalast: Adolf Hitler delivered a politically charged speech at the Berlin Sportpalast, challenging Franz von Papen and demanding the dissolution of the Reichstag, further intensifying the political instability in Germany during the rise of the Nazi Party.
04 Sep 1932 Der Stahlhelm Demonstration in Berlin: A massive demonstration of 197,000 members of Der Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet), a nationalist paramilitary organization, took place at Tempelhof Field in Berlin. They publicly swore allegiance to the von Papen government, signaling the growing political tensions in Germany during the early 1930s.
05 Sep 1932 Dissolution of French Upper Volta Colonial Territory: In a significant administrative reorganization, the French colonial administration dismantled the territory of Upper Volta (modern-day Burkina Faso), redistributing its lands among three neighboring French colonial territories: Ivory Coast, French Sudan (now Mali), and Niger. This territorial restructuring reflected the arbitrary colonial boundaries and administrative strategies of the French colonial empire in West Africa, which often prioritized administrative convenience over local ethnic and cultural considerations.
06 Sep 1932 Spain Abolishes Death Penalty: On September 6, 1932, Spain made a landmark legal reform by abolishing capital punishment, marking a progressive step in human rights and criminal justice. This decision was part of the broader reforms during the Second Spanish Republic, signaling a commitment to more humane legal practices.
07 Sep 1932 J. Paul Getty Born: J. Paul Getty, an influential American-born industrialist and philanthropist, was born. He would later become known as one of the wealthiest individuals of his time, primarily through his success in the oil industry. Getty's legacy includes significant art collections and philanthropic contributions.
08 Sep 1932 France Rejects Germany's Arms Equality Request: In a significant diplomatic moment, France formally rejected Germany's request for arms equality, reflecting the ongoing tensions and power dynamics in Europe during the interwar period. This rejection highlighted the lingering mistrust and strategic concerns following World War I.
09 Sep 1932 Chaco War Begins Between Paraguay and Bolivia: Territorial disputes and resource conflicts escalate into open warfare between Paraguay and Bolivia in the Gran Chaco region. This conflict, driven by complex border delimitation issues and potential oil resources, would become one of the most significant and devastating wars in South American history.
10 Sep 1932 Mafia Killing of Salvatore Maranzano: In a significant moment in organized crime history, Salvatore Maranzano was murdered by one of Charles Luciano's hitmen at the Helmsley Building in New York City, marking a pivotal power shift in the criminal underworld.
11 Sep 1932 Polish Challenge 1932 Winners Tragically Die in Plane Crash: Franciszek Żwirko and Stanisław Wigura, celebrated Polish aviators who won the 1932 Challenge, met a tragic end when their RWD 6 aircraft crashed during a severe storm. Their untimely death was a significant loss for Polish aviation and sports achievement.
12 Sep 1932 Fall of Papen Government in Germany: The German government led by Chancellor Franz von Papen was dissolved after losing political support, marking a significant moment of political instability in the Weimar Republic during the tumultuous early 1930s.
13 Sep 1932 Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1932: A devastating Category 4 hurricane reached its peak intensity in the Atlantic Ocean, causing significant destruction along the US East Coast. The storm resulted in a tragic loss of life, with estimates ranging between 300-400 fatalities, making it one of the most destructive hurricanes of the early 20th century.
14 Sep 1932 Execution of Paul Gorguloff, Assassin of French President: On September 14, 1932, Paul Gorguloff, the 37-year-old assassin of French President Paul Doumer, was executed by guillotine. This event marked the judicial conclusion of a high-profile political assassination that had shocked the French nation.
15 Sep 1932 German Work Week Reduction: Chancellor Franz von Papen issued a decree establishing a 40-hour work week in Germany, an innovative labor policy aimed at mitigating unemployment during the early years of the Great Depression. This progressive measure sought to distribute available work more evenly among workers and provide economic relief during a challenging economic period.
16 Sep 1932 Birth of Micky Stewart: On September 16, 1932, Micky Stewart OBE was born in London, England. Stewart would later become a notable figure in cricket, both as a player and a coach, contributing significantly to the sport's development in the United Kingdom.
17 Sep 1932 Han-Liu War Begins: On September 17, 1932, a significant regional conflict erupted in Shandong, China, as warlords Han Fuju and Liu Zhennian initiated military hostilities. This war represented the ongoing fragmentation and internal power struggles characteristic of the warlord era in early 20th-century China, highlighting the complex political landscape of the period.
18 Sep 1932 Formation of Saudi Arabia: King Ibn Saud successfully united several kingdoms of the Arabian Peninsula, officially establishing the modern nation of Saudi Arabia through strategic political consolidation and diplomatic negotiations. This momentous event marked the birth of a new sovereign state that would become a significant geopolitical and economic power in the Middle East.
19 Sep 1932 Purple Heart Celebration and Washington Bicentennial: On September 19, 1932, a significant bicentennial celebration commemorating Constitution Day took place in Ansonia, Connecticut. The event honored World War veterans with Purple Heart awards and featured an extensive parade that originated in Derby and proceeded through Main Street before culminating at Athletic Field 3. The celebration was remarkable for its scale, drawing the largest crowd ever assembled in Ansonia at that time. The parade was described as long and colorful, while the award ceremony for Purple Heart recipients was particularly impressive, highlighting the community's respect for military service and national history.
20 Sep 1932 Gandhi's Hunger Strike for Untouchables: Mahatma Gandhi initiates a powerful hunger strike to protest the systemic discrimination against untouchables in the Indian social hierarchy, drawing international attention to social injustice.
21 Sep 1932 No Significant Historical Record: After thorough research, no notable historical event was found for September 21, 1932. This date appears to be without a documented significant occurrence in the available historical archives.
22 Sep 1932 Amelia Earhart Advocates for Equal Rights Amendment: On September 22, 1932, pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart, alongside four prominent members of the National Woman's Party, met with President Herbert Hoover at the White House to lobby for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This historic meeting was part of the ongoing struggle for women's legal and social equality, with Earhart using her public prominence to support constitutional protections against gender-based discrimination. The proposed amendment, also known as the Lucretia Mott Amendment, aimed to guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex.
23 Sep 1932 Formation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd was officially renamed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the unification of the Arabian Peninsula under the leadership of King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud.
24 Sep 1932 Poona Pact: Gandhi and Ambedkar's Historic Agreement: Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar reached a landmark agreement known as the Poona Pact, which was a crucial step towards social justice in India. The pact reserved legislative seats for the 'Depressed Classes' (Untouchables), marking a significant moment in the struggle against caste-based discrimination and promoting political representation for marginalized communities.
25 Sep 1932 Poona Pact: A Milestone in Indian Social Reform: The Poona Pact, signed by Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar on September 25, 1932, was a landmark agreement that reserved electoral seats for India's lowest classes (Dalits) in the legislature of British India. This pact was a significant step towards social equality and political representation for marginalized communities.
26 Sep 1932 Birth of Manmohan Singh: Manmohan Singh, who would later become the Prime Minister of India, was born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, a village located in British India (now part of Pakistan). He was a distinguished economist and politician who served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, representing the Indian National Congress party.
27 Sep 1932 Political Assassinations Shake Cuba: A violent wave of political assassinations rocked Cuba, resulting in the murder of four prominent political leaders, including Clemente Vazquez Bello, the President of the Senate. This event underscored the political instability and intense factional conflicts prevalent in Cuban politics during the early 1930s.
28 Sep 1932 Birth of Víctor Jara, Chilean Folk Singer and Activist: Víctor Jara, a renowned Chilean folk singer, theatre director, and political activist, was born on this day. He would later become a significant cultural icon and symbol of resistance against political oppression in Chile, tragically murdered in 1973 during the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet.
29 Sep 1932 Paraguayan Victory in Battle of Boquerón: The Battle of Boquerón concluded with a decisive victory for Paraguay, as the Bolivian garrison surrendered, marking a turning point in the Chaco War.
30 Sep 1932 Student Riot in Havana Commemorating Rafael Trejo: University students in Havana staged a significant protest on the second anniversary of Rafael Trejo's death. Trejo was a prominent student leader who had been killed during political demonstrations, and his memory became a rallying point for student activism and resistance against the political regime of the time.