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

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

01 May 1933 Nazi Germany Establishes Labor Day: The Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler declared May 1st as 'National Labor Day', transforming it into a paid legal holiday. This move was part of the Nazi strategy to control labor movements and create a facade of worker solidarity under the Third Reich's ideology.
02 May 1933 Hitler Suppresses Trade Unions: Under the terms of the Reichstag Fire Decree, Adolf Hitler ordered the comprehensive suppression of German trade unions, specifically targeting the German General Trade Union Federation. This action was a critical step in eliminating independent worker organizations and consolidating Nazi control over labor and economic structures.
03 May 1933 Nellie T. Ross Becomes First Female US Mint Director: Nellie Tayloe Ross makes history by becoming the first woman to lead the United States Mint, breaking significant gender barriers in government financial leadership.
04 May 1933 Archibald MacLeish Wins Pulitzer Prize for 'Conquistador': On May 4, 1933, renowned American poet Archibald MacLeish was awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for his epic poem 'Conquistador'. The work, which explores themes of exploration, conquest, and historical narrative, solidified MacLeish's reputation as a significant literary figure of the early 20th century. MacLeish, who was also a lawyer, playwright, and later served as the Librarian of Congress, was known for his innovative poetic style and engagement with historical and social themes.
05 May 1933 Discovery of Cosmic Radio Waves: Karl Jansky, a pioneering engineer at Bell Laboratories, reported the groundbreaking detection of radio waves originating from the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. This remarkable scientific observation was published in the New York Times and fundamentally transformed our understanding of astronomical research. Jansky's work marked the birth of radio astronomy, a field that would allow scientists to explore celestial phenomena beyond traditional optical telescopes.
06 May 1933 Nazi Students Attack Institute of Sexual Science: On May 6, 1933, members of the Deutsche Studentenschaft (German Student Association), aligned with Nazi ideology, violently attacked Magnus Hirschfeld's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft in Berlin. They ransacked the pioneering research center focused on human sexuality and gender studies, and subsequently burned many of its books and research materials. This event was part of the broader Nazi campaign to suppress progressive scientific research and marginalize LGBTQ+ scholarship.
07 May 1933 FDR's Second Fireside Chat: On May 7, 1933, eight weeks after his inauguration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his second Fireside Chat. In this groundbreaking radio address, he directly communicated with the American people about the progress of his administration and the details of the New Deal program, helping to build public trust and understanding during the Great Depression.
08 May 1933 Nazi Book Burning Campaign: Nazi authorities orchestrate massive public book burnings across Germany, symbolizing the regime's ideological suppression of intellectual freedom and targeting works by Jewish, communist, and other 'undesirable' authors.
09 May 1933 Spanish Anarchist General Strike of 1933: On May 9, 1933, Spanish anarchists organized a nationwide general strike to protest against working conditions, government policies, and to demonstrate the labor movement's collective power. The strike was part of the broader social and political tensions in Spain during the early years of the Second Spanish Republic, reflecting the growing influence of anarcho-syndicalist movements.
10 May 1933 Nazi Book Burnings in Germany: University students in 34 university towns across Germany burned over 25,000 books, including works by Jewish authors like Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud, as well as blacklisted American authors such as Ernest Hemingway and Helen Keller. The event was accompanied by a speech from Joseph Goebbels in Berlin's Opera Square, where he declared the era of extreme Jewish intellectualism to be at an end.
11 May 1933 Louis Farrakhan Born: Louis Farrakhan was born on this date, a prominent African American religious and political leader who would become the influential minister of the Nation of Islam and a key organizer of the historic Million Man March in 1995, advocating for Black empowerment and social justice.
12 May 1933 New Deal Legislation Signed by President Roosevelt: On May 12, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed three critical pieces of New Deal legislation aimed at addressing the economic challenges of the Great Depression. These laws included the Federal Emergency Relief Act to fund public works projects, the Agricultural Adjustment Act to stabilize farm income by controlling agricultural production, and the Emergency Farm Mortgage Act to provide financial relief and extended repayment schedules for struggling farmers.
13 May 1933 59th Preakness Stakes Horse Race: On May 13, 1933, jockey Charley Kurtsinger rode the horse Head Play to victory in the 59th running of the Preakness Stakes, a prestigious horse racing event held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race, which is part of the Triple Crown series, was completed with a time of 2 minutes and 2 seconds.
14 May 1933 Eugenic Sterilization Law Enacted: In a deeply controversial moment of American legal history, the United States passed a Eugenic Sterilization Law that permitted the forced sterilization of individuals deemed 'unfit' by state authorities. This law represented a dark chapter in medical ethics, targeting marginalized populations including people with disabilities, mental illnesses, and certain racial and ethnic groups under the pseudoscientific guise of genetic improvement.
15 May 1933 Formation of the Luftwaffe: On May 15, 1933, all military aviation organizations within or under the control of the Reich Air Ministry (RLM) of Germany were officially and covertly merged to form the Wehrmacht's air arm, the Luftwaffe. This strategic consolidation marked a significant step in Nazi Germany's military reorganization and rearmament efforts.
16 May 1933 Max Planck's Plea to Hitler: Renowned physicist Max Planck personally met with Adolf Hitler on May 16, 1933, in a courageous but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to intercede on behalf of his Jewish scientific colleagues who were facing systematic dismissal from academic positions under the rising Nazi regime.
17 May 1933 Formation of Nasjonal Samling in Norway: On May 17, 1933, Vidkun Quisling and Johan Bernhard Hjort established the Nasjonal Samling (National Unity), a Norwegian far-right nationalist and fascist political party. This party would later collaborate with Nazi Germany during World War II and become infamous for its role in Norway's occupation period.
18 May 1933 Nazino Island Tragedy: Approximately 5,000 forced deportees were transported to Nazino Island in the Soviet Union, where horrific conditions led to widespread death through disease, violence, and reported instances of cannibalism within thirteen weeks.
19 May 1933 Tientsin Railway Station Bombing: A devastating terrorist attack occurred at the Tientsin (now Tianjin) railway station, resulting in the tragic loss of over 100 civilian lives. This bombing was part of the broader context of political instability and conflict in China during the early 1930s, reflecting the tumultuous period of Japanese imperial expansion and internal strife.
20 May 1933 Establishment of the Vaterländische Front in Austria: Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss established the Vaterländische Front (Fatherland Front), a fascist political organization that unified right-wing political parties under a single authoritarian movement. This marked a significant shift towards an autocratic regime in Austria, effectively ending democratic pluralism and setting the stage for the country's eventual annexation by Nazi Germany.
21 May 1933 Mt Davidson Cross lit by FDR via telegraph
22 May 1933 US Currency Legal Tender Declaration: The United States Congress passed a significant monetary policy measure, declaring all currency in circulation as legal tender, effectively standardizing the dollar's value and providing economic stability during the Great Depression era.
23 May 1933 J.P. Morgan Jr. Senate Tax Testimony: J. P. Morgan, Jr. testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee, revealing that he and his partners at J.P. Morgan & Co. had paid no income tax. This testimony highlighted the significant tax avoidance practices of wealthy financial elites during the early years of the Great Depression, sparking public debate about economic inequality and tax fairness.
24 May 1933 Harold Louderback Impeachment Trial Concludes: The U.S. Senate impeachment trial of District Judge Harold Louderback concluded with his acquittal on all five counts. This judicial proceeding highlighted the complex process of judicial accountability in the United States during the early 1930s.
25 May 1933 Walt Disney's Three Little Pigs Premiere: On May 25, 1933, Walt Disney's groundbreaking animated short film 'Three Little Pigs' premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The cartoon, which featured the iconic song 'Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?', became a cultural phenomenon during the Great Depression era. The film's musical number became a powerful metaphor of resilience and hope during challenging economic times, resonating deeply with audiences and becoming a significant moment in animation history.
26 May 1933 Nazi Eugenic Sterilization Law Enacted: The Nazi Party in Germany introduced a deeply unethical law legalizing forced sterilization as part of their eugenics program, aimed at controlling population genetics and promoting their racist ideology of a 'pure' race.
27 May 1933 Federal Securities Act Signed: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Securities Act, a landmark piece of New Deal legislation designed to increase transparency in financial markets and protect investors by requiring comprehensive disclosure of investment information.
28 May 1933 Nazi Party Wins Majority in Danzig Parliamentary Elections: On May 28, 1933, parliamentary elections were held in the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland), resulting in the Nazi Party securing a majority of seats. This election marked a significant political shift in the region, reflecting the growing influence of Nazi ideology in the early years of Adolf Hitler's rise to power.
29 May 1933 Standard Oil's Saudi Arabia Oil Agreement: The Standard Oil Company of California (now Chevron Corporation) signed a groundbreaking petroleum exploration and development agreement with Saudi Arabia, marking a pivotal moment in global energy geopolitics. This landmark contract would fundamentally transform the economic landscape of the Middle East and set the stage for Saudi Arabia's emergence as a major global oil producer.
30 May 1933 Indianapolis 500 Race with Fatal Accident: The prestigious Indianapolis 500 automobile race takes place, marking another significant event in motorsport history. During the race, driver Mark Billman tragically loses his life after a fatal crash on lap 79, highlighting the inherent dangers of high-speed racing.
31 May 1933 Nazi Germany Excludes Jews from Military Service: On May 31, 1933, the Nazi regime officially barred Jews from serving in the German armed forces, marking an early and significant step in the systematic discrimination and marginalization of Jewish citizens in Germany. This discriminatory policy was part of the broader antisemitic policies implemented by the Nazi government, which would eventually lead to the Holocaust.