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Major Events of April 1933: 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 April 1933 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1933: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1933 Nazi Boycott of Jewish Businesses: The recently elected Nazi Party, under Julius Streicher, organized a nationwide one-day boycott of all Jewish-owned businesses in Germany, marking a significant escalation of state-sponsored anti-Semitism and the beginning of systematic persecution that would ultimately lead to the Holocaust.
  • 02 Apr 1933 First Flight Over Mount Everest: A groundbreaking British expedition, led by the Marquis of Clydesdale and financially supported by Lucy, Lady Houston, successfully completed the first aerial crossing over Mount Everest, marking a significant milestone in aviation and exploration history.
  • 03 Apr 1933 First Flight Over Mount Everest: The British Houston-Mount Everest Flight Expedition successfully completed the first aerial crossing over Mount Everest, a groundbreaking achievement in aviation history. Led by the Marquis of Clydesdale and financially supported by Lucy, Lady Houston, this expedition marked a significant milestone in exploring the world's highest mountain range. The flight demonstrated remarkable technological prowess and human courage in navigating the treacherous Himalayan terrain.
  • 04 Apr 1933 Roosevelt's Gold Ownership Ban: President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102, declaring a national emergency and making private gold ownership illegal for American citizens. This unprecedented economic policy was part of the New Deal's strategy to stabilize the U.S. financial system during the Great Depression.
  • 05 Apr 1933 Gold Confiscation Executive Order: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102, mandating that American citizens surrender their gold certificates, bullion, and coins to the Federal Reserve. This unprecedented move was part of the government's strategy to stabilize the economy during the Great Depression by controlling gold ownership and monetary policy.
  • 06 Apr 1933 U.S. Senate Passes Black-Connery Bill for 30-Hour Work Week: In a significant labor reform moment, the U.S. Senate passed the Black-Connery bill with a decisive 53-30 vote. The proposed legislation aimed to establish a 30-hour work week without reducing workers' pay, representing a progressive approach to labor rights during the Great Depression era. This bill was part of broader New Deal efforts to improve working conditions and stimulate economic recovery by redistributing work hours among more employees.
  • 07 Apr 1933 First Nazi Anti-Jewish Laws Enacted: The Nazi regime in Germany passed the first systematic legal measures discriminating against Jewish citizens, barring them from legal and public service positions, marking a significant escalation of state-sponsored antisemitism.
  • 08 Apr 1933 Manchester Guardian Warns of Nazi Terror: The Manchester Guardian published a critical warning about the emerging Nazi regime's potential for widespread political repression and violence, highlighting growing international concerns about Hitler's rising power.
  • 09 Apr 1933 Scottsboro Boys Trial: Haywood Patterson Retrial: On April 9, 1933, the first retrial of the Scottsboro Boys case concluded with Haywood Patterson being once again found guilty of rape and sentenced to death. This trial was part of a highly controversial legal proceeding that highlighted the deep racial injustices in the American judicial system during the Jim Crow era. The case involved nine young African American men who were falsely accused of raping two white women on a train in Alabama in 1931, and became a significant symbol of systemic racism and unequal treatment under the law.
  • 10 Apr 1933 Nazi Book Burning Campaign Announced: The Nazi regime's Main Office for Press and Propaganda of the German Student Union officially launches a nationwide campaign to burn books deemed 'un-German', marking a significant moment of cultural suppression and ideological censorship in Nazi Germany.
  • 11 Apr 1933 USS Akron Airship Disaster: In a tragic maritime aviation incident, the USS Akron, a U.S. Navy rigid airship, was destroyed by a violent storm off the coast of New Jersey. The catastrophic crash resulted in the deaths of 73 out of 76 crew members, marking one of the deadliest airship accidents in history.
  • 12 Apr 1933 US Mint Restricts Gold Coin Exchange: The United States government implemented a new policy prohibiting the exchange of gold scrap for gold coins at the US Mint. This restriction was part of the broader economic measures during the Great Depression era, aimed at controlling gold circulation and stabilizing the national currency.
  • 13 Apr 1933 Nazi Germany Census Targeting Jews: Nazi Germany announced a systematic census designed to identify and categorize Jewish and non-Aryan populations. The Reich Statistical Office, led by Friedrich Bürgdorfer, collaborated with IBM and its German subsidiary Dehomag to use advanced computing technology to rapidly process demographic data, setting the stage for future discriminatory policies.
  • 14 Apr 1933 Uneventful Day in 1933: While no specific major historical events were recorded for April 14, 1933, this period was during the early years of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency and the Great Depression era. The United States was in the midst of implementing New Deal policies to address economic challenges following the stock market crash of 1929.
  • 15 Apr 1933 Roy Clark Birth: Roy Clark, a legendary American country musician, guitarist, and television host, was born in Meherrin, Virginia. Known for his exceptional musical talent and charismatic personality, Clark would later become a pivotal figure in country music, co-hosting the popular variety show 'Hee Haw' and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • 16 Apr 1933 Easter Sunday in 1933: On April 16, 1933, Christians around the United States celebrated Easter Sunday, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This religious holiday was marked by church services, family gatherings, and traditional celebrations including Easter egg hunts and special meals.
  • 17 Apr 1933 Chicago Bears Secure First NFL Victory: In a thrilling early season matchup, the Chicago Bears achieved a significant milestone by defeating the New York Giants 23-21 in their first NFL game. This victory marked an important moment in the team's nascent professional football history, demonstrating their competitive spirit and potential as a formidable franchise.
  • 18 Apr 1933 Fascist Violence Against Jewish Community in Chernivtsi: On April 18, 1933, a violent antisemitic riot erupted in Chernivtsi, Romania, where fascist militants systematically attacked the local Jewish business district. The mob violently smashed storefront windows and physically assaulted Jewish pedestrians, resulting in approximately 100 people being injured. This event was part of the broader rise of antisemitic sentiment and fascist movements in Eastern Europe during the early 1930s, reflecting the growing political tensions and ethnic hostilities of the period.
  • 19 Apr 1933 United States Abandons Gold Standard: President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially announced that the United States would be abandoning the gold standard, a significant economic policy shift during the Great Depression that allowed the government more flexibility in monetary policy and helped stimulate economic recovery.
  • 20 Apr 1933 Soviet Union Approves Forced Labor Village Deportation Project: The Soviet government approved a controversial project to establish 'labor villages' in western Siberia and the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, with plans to forcibly deport and relocate approximately one million prisoners. This initiative was part of the Soviet regime's broader strategy of using forced labor and population displacement as tools of political and economic control.
  • 21 Apr 1933 Establishment of the Gestapo: The Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police) is officially established in Germany, becoming a notorious instrument of Nazi terror and political repression.
  • 22 Apr 1933 Nazi Germany Bans Kosher Ritual Slaughter: On April 22, 1933, the Nazi regime in Germany outlawed shechita, the traditional Jewish method of animal slaughter, as part of a broader campaign of antisemitic policies targeting Jewish religious practices and cultural traditions.
  • 23 Apr 1933 Electric Trolley Bus System Launches in Dayton: On this date, Dayton, Ohio inaugurated its Electric Trolley Bus (ETB) system, introducing an innovative public transportation method powered by overhead electric wires. This technological advancement represented a significant step in urban transit infrastructure, moving away from gasoline-powered vehicles.
  • 24 Apr 1933 Nazi Germany Begins Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses: On April 24, 1933, Nazi Germany escalated its systematic oppression by shutting down the Watch Tower Society office in Magdeburg, marking the beginning of a coordinated campaign of religious persecution against Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the country.
  • 25 Apr 1933 United States and Canada Abandon Gold Standard: The United States and Canada officially dropped the Gold Standard, a pivotal economic decision that fundamentally transformed monetary policy and international financial systems during the Great Depression era.
  • 26 Apr 1933 Establishment of the Gestapo in Nazi Germany: Hermann Göring officially establishes the Gestapo (Geheime Staatspolizei or Secret State Police), which would become a notorious instrument of terror and oppression during the Nazi regime, responsible for political surveillance, persecution, and systematic human rights violations.
  • 27 Apr 1933 Nazi Germany Establishes Ministry of Aviation: Adolf Hitler authorizes the establishment of the Reich Ministry of Aviation (Reichsluftfahrtministerium), led by Hermann Göring. This ministry would play a crucial role in rapidly rebuilding Germany's air power in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, becoming a key component of Nazi Germany's military rearmament strategy.
  • 28 Apr 1933 First Female US Mint Director Appointed: On April 28, 1933, the United States Senate approved Nellie Tayloe Ross as the director of the United States Mint, marking a significant milestone for women in government leadership roles. Ross was not only the first woman to serve in this position but also a pioneering figure in breaking gender barriers in federal administrative roles during the early 20th century.
  • 29 Apr 1933 First Public Television Broadcast in the United States: On April 29, 1933, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) achieved a groundbreaking milestone by conducting the first public television broadcast in the United States during the New York World's Fair. This historic event marked a pivotal moment in media and communication technology, demonstrating the potential of visual broadcasting to a live audience. The broadcast represented a significant leap forward in how information and entertainment could be transmitted to the public, setting the stage for the television revolution that would transform global media in the coming decades.
  • 30 Apr 1933 Assassination of Peruvian President Luis M. Sanchez Cerro: On April 30, 1933, Peruvian President Luis M. Sanchez Cerro was assassinated by Abelardo Mendoza Leywa at the Santa Beatriz horseracing track in Lima, Peru. This political murder occurred during a tumultuous period in Peruvian history, marking a significant moment of political instability and violence.