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

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

01 Jan 1933 Remembering Harriet Brooks: Canadian Physicist: Harriet Brooks, a pioneering Canadian physicist who was active in the early days of nuclear research, passed away in 1933. She was an important early female scientist who made notable contributions to the understanding of radioactivity.
02 Jan 1933 US Troops Withdraw from Nicaragua: The United States completed its military withdrawal from Nicaragua, marking the end of a prolonged military occupation and signaling a shift in U.S. foreign policy in Central America.
03 Jan 1933 First Female State House Speaker in US History: Minnie D. Craig made history by becoming the first female elected as Speaker of the North Dakota House of Representatives, breaking significant ground for women in political leadership roles in the United States.
04 Jan 1933 Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany: In a pivotal moment of German political history, Franz von Papen, a conservative politician, strategically negotiated with Adolf Hitler, facilitating his appointment as Chancellor of Germany. Von Papen, severely underestimating Hitler's political ambition, believed he could manipulate and control Hitler and the Nazi Party from within the government. This miscalculation would prove catastrophic, as Hitler would quickly consolidate power and transform Germany into a totalitarian state, leading to World War II and the Holocaust.
05 Jan 1933 Golden Gate Bridge Construction Begins: On January 5, 1933, construction of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge commenced in San Francisco Bay, marking the start of one of the most ambitious engineering projects of the 20th century. Workers began excavating for the bridge's critical anchorages on both the San Francisco and Marin County sides, initiating a complex infrastructure project that would dramatically transform transportation in the Bay Area.
06 Jan 1933 Clyde Barrow Kills Deputy Sheriff Malcolm Davis: In a violent incident in West Dallas, Texas, notorious American gangster Clyde Barrow, part of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde criminal duo, murdered Malcolm Davis, a Deputy Sheriff for Tarrant County. This event was part of the escalating criminal activities of Barrow and his partner Bonnie Parker during the Great Depression era.
07 Jan 1933 People and Fatherland First Published: The first edition of 'People and Fatherland' (Dutch: Volk en Vaderland), a significant publication, was released in the Netherlands. This periodical was likely associated with nationalist or ideological movements prevalent during the early 1930s, reflecting the complex political landscape of the time.
08 Jan 1933 Tragic Death of U.S. Representative Samuel A. Kendall: U.S. Representative Samuel A. Kendall of Pennsylvania died by suicide in his office at the U.S. Capitol, marking a deeply tragic moment in congressional history. The circumstances surrounding his death remain a somber reminder of the personal struggles that can affect public figures.
09 Jan 1933 Amsterdam Confectionery Workers Strike: In January 1933, confectionery workers in Amsterdam organized a labor strike to protest against proposed wage reductions during the challenging economic period of the Great Depression. The workers united to defend their economic rights and resist further financial hardship.
10 Jan 1933 Leonard John Coldwell: English Cricket Player: Leonard John Coldwell was an English medium-fast cricket bowler who represented his national team between 1962 and 1964. During his international career, he played in 7 Test matches, contributing to England's cricket legacy during the early 1960s.
11 Jan 1933 First Commercial Flight Between Australia and New Zealand: Aviation pioneer Sir Charles Kingsford Smith successfully completed the inaugural commercial flight connecting Australia and New Zealand, marking a significant milestone in transtasman aviation history. This groundbreaking journey demonstrated the expanding capabilities of long-distance air travel and opened new possibilities for transportation and communication between the two nations.
12 Jan 1933 United States Recognizes Philippine Independence: On January 12, 1933, the United States Congress officially recognized the independence of the Philippines, marking a significant milestone in the decolonization process and the end of American colonial rule in the archipelago. This legislative act was a crucial step towards the Philippines' eventual full independence, which would be realized in 1946.
13 Jan 1933 Nurdin Jivraj Birth: Nurdin Jivraj, a prominent Tanzanian-British entrepreneur and hotel industry leader, was born on this date. He would later become known for founding and leading Buckingham International, a significant hospitality business that played a role in the development of international hotel management and investment.
14 Jan 1933 Bodyline Cricket Controversy: Australian Captain Struck: During the 1932-1933 Ashes series, the English cricket team, under captain Douglas Jardine, employed the highly controversial 'Bodyline' bowling tactic. This strategy involved deliberately bowling at the body of batsmen to limit their scoring opportunities, which was considered unsportsmanlike and potentially dangerous. The tension reached its peak when Australian captain Bill Woodfull was struck near his heart, causing significant diplomatic and sporting outrage between England and Australia.
15 Jan 1933 Political Violence Erupts in Spain: A period of intense political instability in Spain resulted in widespread violence, causing nearly 100 fatalities. This event highlights the deep political tensions and social unrest prevalent in Spain during the early years of the Second Spanish Republic, reflecting the growing polarization between left-wing and right-wing factions.
16 Jan 1933 Birth of Susan Sontag: Susan Sontag, a prominent American writer, intellectual, filmmaker, and political activist, was born in New York City. She would become a highly influential cultural critic and essayist known for her groundbreaking works on photography, illness, art, and contemporary culture. Her writings challenged conventional thinking and explored complex social and philosophical themes throughout the 20th century.
17 Jan 1933 U.S. Congress Supports Philippine Independence: The United States Congress votes in favor of Philippine independence, directly challenging President Herbert Hoover's stance and marking a significant moment in colonial policy.
18 Jan 1933 Ray Dolby Birth: Ray Dolby, a pioneering sound engineer and inventor of the revolutionary Dolby noise reduction system, was born in Portland, Oregon. His groundbreaking audio technology would transform sound recording and reproduction across multiple industries, from music to film.
20 Jan 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt's Presidential Inauguration: Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd President of the United States during the depths of the Great Depression. In his famous inaugural address, he delivered the iconic line "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself," inspiring hope and resilience among Americans during one of the most challenging economic periods in the nation's history. His inauguration marked the beginning of the New Deal era, which would introduce sweeping economic and social reforms to combat unemployment and economic hardship.
21 Jan 1933 Iron Guard Anti-Jewish Riots in Romania: On January 21, 1933, violent anti-Semitic riots erupted in Romania, orchestrated by the fascist paramilitary organization known as the Iron Guard. These brutal attacks resulted in the systematic persecution and murder of hundreds of Jewish citizens, marking a dark chapter in Romanian history during the rise of far-right nationalist movements in Europe. The riots were characterized by extreme violence, targeting Jewish communities, businesses, and individuals, reflecting the growing antisemitic sentiment and political instability of the period.
22 Jan 1933 Death of Elisabeth Marbury, Pioneering Literary Agent: Elisabeth Marbury, a groundbreaking American literary agent and cultural influencer, passed away on January 22, 1933, at the age of 77. She was renowned for representing prominent literary figures such as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw, playing a crucial role in shaping the literary landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Marbury was not just an agent but a significant cultural connector who helped introduce innovative and controversial writers to broader audiences.
23 Jan 1933 20th Amendment Changes Presidential Inauguration Date: The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, officially changing the presidential inauguration date from March 4 to January 20. This amendment aimed to reduce the transition period between the election and the new president taking office, modernizing the presidential succession process.
24 Jan 1933 20th Amendment Ratification: The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, significantly altering the transition periods for federal elected officials. This amendment modernized the presidential inauguration process and clarified the succession of congressional and executive leadership, reducing the 'lame duck' period between elections and taking office.
25 Jan 1933 Birth of Corazon Aquino: Corazon Aquino, a pivotal figure in Philippine democracy, is born in Paniqui, Tarlac, Philippines. She would later become the 11th President of the Philippines, serving from 1986 to 1992, and is widely recognized for her crucial role in restoring democracy after the Marcos regime through the People Power Revolution.
26 Jan 1933 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no major historical events were prominently recorded for January 26, 1933, this date occurred during the early years of the Great Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany. The global political and economic landscape was undergoing significant transformations during this period, even if this specific day did not witness a landmark event.
27 Jan 1933 Diplomatic Dinner between British Ambassador and German Presidential Official: On January 27, 1933, British Ambassador Sir Horace Rumbold had a diplomatic dinner meeting with Otto Meissner, the Head of the German President's Office. This meeting occurred during a critical period in German history, just days before Adolf Hitler would be appointed Chancellor, signaling potential diplomatic tensions and information exchanges.
28 Jan 1933 Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany: Nazi leader Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg, marking a pivotal moment in German history that would lead to the rise of the Nazi regime and ultimately World War II.
29 Jan 1933 Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany: On January 29, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg officially appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany, a pivotal moment that would dramatically alter the course of world history. This appointment marked a critical turning point in German politics, effectively enabling Hitler's Nazi Party to transition from a marginal political movement to the dominant governing power. Despite initial expectations that Hitler would be controlled by conservative elites, he would quickly consolidate power and transform Germany into a totalitarian state.
30 Jan 1933 Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany: German President Paul von Hindenburg offers the Chancellorship to Adolf Hitler, who accepts, marking a pivotal moment in German political history that would lead to the rise of the Nazi regime.
31 Jan 1933 Hitler's Promise of Parliamentary Democracy: Adolf Hitler makes a public promise to maintain parliamentary democracy in Germany, a statement that would soon prove to be misleading as he consolidated power and transformed the government into a totalitarian Nazi regime.