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

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

  • 01 Aug 1933 National Recovery Administration Established: The National Recovery Administration (NRA) is established as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal economic recovery program, aimed at stimulating economic growth during the Great Depression.
  • 02 Aug 1933 1933 Summer Olympics Open in Los Angeles: The 1933 Summer Olympics commenced in Los Angeles, California, marking an important moment in international sports and marking the first time the Olympic Games were held in the United States west of the Mississippi River.
  • 03 Aug 1933 Castlewood Dam Catastrophic Collapse: The Castlewood Dam on Colorado's Cherry Creek catastrophically collapsed, sending a massive 20-foot high wall of water through Denver, Colorado, and the surrounding towns of Parker and Sullivan. Despite an hour's warning before the 6:15 AM deluge, the disaster resulted in two fatalities and the evacuation of approximately 5,000 people.
  • 04 Aug 1933 Tear Gas Attack at New York Stock Exchange: On August 4, 1933, a dramatic incident unfolded at the New York Stock Exchange when an unexpected tear gas attack disrupted trading operations. The attack caused hundreds of brokers to rapidly evacuate the trading floor, leading to an immediate suspension of trading activities. This event highlighted the volatile and sometimes unpredictable nature of financial markets during the tumultuous early years of the Great Depression.
  • 05 Aug 1933 Devastating Tillamook Burn Forest Fire Extinguished: On August 5, 1933, firefighters successfully contained the massive Tillamook Burn forest fire that had ravaged the Coast Range of Oregon. The wildfire destroyed approximately 240,000 acres of pristine forest land, making it one of the most significant environmental disasters in Oregon's history. The extensive damage prompted major changes in forest management and fire prevention strategies in the Pacific Northwest region.
  • 06 Aug 1933 Uneventful Day in 1933: While no specific major historical events were documented for August 6, 1933, this period was during the Great Depression era in the United States. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies were actively being implemented during this time, aimed at economic recovery and providing relief to Americans struggling with widespread unemployment and economic hardship.
  • 07 Aug 1933 Simele Massacre of Assyrians in Iraq: On August 7, 1933, the Kingdom of Iraq carried out a systematic massacre of Assyrian civilians in the village of Simele, resulting in the deaths of over 3,000 Assyrians. This tragic event is commemorated as Assyrian Martyrs Day, marking a dark moment of ethnic violence and persecution against the Assyrian minority in Iraq.
  • 08 Aug 1933 National Recovery Act Implementation: The National Recovery Administration publicly displayed its iconic Blue Eagle emblem as the National Recovery Act went into effect, symbolizing President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal economic recovery efforts during the Great Depression.
  • 09 Aug 1933 Cuban Presidential Decree of Martial Law: On August 9, 1933, President Gerardo Machado of Cuba declared a state of war across the entire island, signaling escalating political tensions. He ordered military troops to converge on Havana, the capital city, in preparation for potential conflict. This decree came during a period of significant political unrest, as Machado's authoritarian regime faced growing opposition from various political factions and revolutionary movements.
  • 11 Aug 1933 Simele Massacre in Iraq: On August 11, 1933, the Iraqi Army, under the command of General Bakr Sidqi, carried out a systematic and brutal massacre of unarmed Assyrian Christians in the town of Simele. Soldiers systematically targeted and killed men and boys with machine guns. Official army reports later confirmed the horrific toll: 305 men, 4 women, and 6 children were murdered, representing a significant act of ethnic violence.
  • 12 Aug 1933 Churchill Warns of German Rearmament: On August 12, 1933, Winston Churchill delivered a significant public speech warning about the growing military threat posed by Nazi Germany's rearmament efforts. This prescient address highlighted the potential dangers of Hitler's regime and the increasing militarization of Germany, which would later prove to be a critical moment in understanding the lead-up to World War II.
  • 13 Aug 1933 Roosevelt's Good Neighbor Policy: In response to political unrest in Cuba, President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined the 'Good Neighbor Policy' during an emergency conference with Secretary of State Cordell Hull. This diplomatic approach signaled a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign relations with Latin America, emphasizing cooperation and mutual respect over military intervention.
  • 14 Aug 1933 Tillamook Burn Forest Fire of 1933: On August 14, 1933, loggers accidentally caused a devastating forest fire in the Coast Range of Oregon, which became known as the first Tillamook Burn. The massive wildfire raged until September 5, ultimately destroying approximately 240,000 acres (970 square kilometers) of forest land. This catastrophic event marked a significant moment in Oregon's environmental history, highlighting the potential destructive power of human-induced wildfires.
  • 16 Aug 1933 Christie Pits Riot: A Significant Moment of Ethnic Tension in Canadian History: On August 16, 1933, the Christie Pits Riot erupted in Toronto, marking one of the most significant and violent instances of ethnic conflict in Canadian history. The incident was triggered by Nazi-sympathetic youth who deliberately displayed a swastika flag during a public baseball game, intentionally provoking the local Jewish community. What began as a provocative gesture quickly escalated into widespread street violence involving approximately 10,000 participants and spectators. The riot reflected the deep-seated antisemitic tensions and rising fascist influences in Toronto during the early 1930s. After intense confrontations and widespread destruction, the violence was ultimately suppressed by mounted police and motorcycle-mounted law enforcement units.
  • 17 Aug 1933 Lou Gehrig Sets Consecutive Games Record: Baseball legend Lou Gehrig set a remarkable record by playing in his 1,308th consecutive game, demonstrating extraordinary durability and commitment in Major League Baseball. This achievement highlighted Gehrig's incredible athletic consistency and earned him further recognition as one of baseball's most resilient players.
  • 18 Aug 1933 Nazi Propaganda Radio: The Volksempfänger Debut: On August 18, 1933, the Nazi regime introduced the Volksempfänger ('People's Receiver'), a strategically designed low-cost radio at a public exhibition. Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda, dramatically proclaimed the radio as the 'eighth great power', signaling the Nazi government's intent to use mass media as a powerful tool for ideological control and public manipulation.
  • 19 Aug 1933 First Soapbox Derby Race: The inaugural Soapbox Car Race was held in Dayton, Ohio, organized by Dayton Daily News reporter Myron Scott. This event would become a significant grassroots motorsport competition for children and youth, encouraging creativity, engineering skills, and community participation.
  • 20 Aug 1933 Gandhi's Hospitalization During Hunger Strike: On August 20, 1933, Mahatma Gandhi was removed from jail and transferred to a hospital in Poona (now Pune) due to the prolonged and intense hunger strike he was conducting. This event was part of his non-violent resistance against British colonial rule in India, highlighting his commitment to peaceful protest and personal sacrifice in the struggle for Indian independence.
  • 21 Aug 1933 First MLB All-Star Game Played: The inaugural Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held, with Babe Ruth hitting a memorable home run that led the American League to a 4-2 victory. This historic game marked the beginning of what would become an annual celebrated tradition in professional baseball.
  • 22 Aug 1933 Austrian Nazi Party Threatens National Sovereignty: Austria's national sovereignty was significantly challenged by the mobilization of approximately 6,000 members of the Austrian Nazi Party along the country's border, signaling growing political tension and the potential for future conflict in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 23 Aug 1933 Gandhi Released After Hunger Strike: Mohandas K. Gandhi, the iconic leader of India's peaceful independence movement, was released from jail following a strategic hunger strike against British colonial rule. This event highlighted Gandhi's non-violent resistance tactics and continued to draw international attention to India's struggle for freedom.
  • 24 Aug 1933 Gandhi Released from Jail: Mahatma Gandhi was released from jail in India following another hunger strike, continuing his non-violent resistance against British colonial rule and drawing international attention to the Indian independence movement.
  • 25 Aug 1933 Haavara Agreement: The Haavara Agreement, signed on August 25, 1933, was a controversial transfer agreement between Nazi Germany's Ministry of the Economy and Zionist representatives. The agreement allowed German Jews to emigrate to Palestine by transferring part of their financial assets and personal possessions, providing a complex mechanism for Jewish emigration during the early Nazi period.
  • 26 Aug 1933 Jack McGurn Captured at Golf Tournament: Notorious gangster Jack McGurn, a key associate of Al Capone, was arrested at the Western Open Golf Championship while competing under the alias Vincent Gebhardi. His capture represented a significant moment in law enforcement's efforts to combat organized crime during the Prohibition era.
  • 27 Aug 1933 First Afrikaans Bible Introduced: The first complete Afrikaans translation of the Bible was ceremonially presented during a significant Bible Festival in Bloemfontein, marking a pivotal moment in linguistic and religious history for South African Afrikaans-speaking communities.
  • 28 Aug 1933 Roosevelt's Gold Ownership Executive Order: On August 28, 1933, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6260, which strategically modified the government's strict gold ownership policies. The order provided nuanced exemptions to the previous comprehensive gold ownership ban, specifically allowing individuals to: 1. Retain up to $100 in gold currency 2. Keep gold coins with recognized numismatic collector value This executive order was part of Roosevelt's broader economic strategy during the Great Depression, aimed at stabilizing the national monetary system and preventing gold hoarding.
  • 29 Aug 1933 US Government Regulates Gold Production: On August 29, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order Number 6261, which mandated that all American gold producers must sell their extracted gold directly to the United States government. This order was part of the broader economic reforms during the Great Depression, aimed at stabilizing the nation's monetary system and preventing gold hoarding.
  • 30 Aug 1933 Establishment of PIDE in Portugal: António de Oliveira Salazar, the authoritarian leader of Portugal, formally created the secret police organization known as PIDE (Polícia Internacional e de Defesa do Estado). This notorious organization would become a key instrument of state repression, responsible for monitoring, suppressing, and persecuting political opponents during Salazar's Estado Novo regime.
  • 31 Aug 1933 Murder's Impact on Einstein's Perception of Nazi Germany: The murder of an individual (likely a Jewish intellectual) in 1933 profoundly affected Albert Einstein's perspective on the growing dangers in Nazi Germany. This tragic event reportedly solidified Einstein's belief that returning to Germany would be perilous for Jewish intellectuals and scientists, further influencing his decision to remain in exile and speak out against the rising Nazi regime.