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

Major Events of November 1933: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 1933 Establishment of Dachau Concentration Camp Regulations: On November 1, 1933, Theodor Eicke, the commandant of Dachau concentration camp, formalized a set of brutal regulations that would become a systematic model for Nazi concentration camps. The regulations were exceptionally harsh, including a provision under Article 12 that authorized immediate execution of prisoners who refused to work or created disturbances while laboring. These guidelines represented an early, chilling example of the systematic dehumanization and violence that would characterize the Nazi regime's treatment of prisoners.
- 02 Nov 1933 White House Conference on Women's Emergency Needs: On November 2, 1933, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt inaugurated the White House Conference on the Emergency Needs of Women. This groundbreaking conference addressed critical socio-economic challenges facing women during the Great Depression, highlighting the Roosevelt administration's commitment to understanding and addressing gender-specific hardships during a period of severe economic distress.
- 03 Nov 1933 Michael Dukakis: Political Career Overview: Michael S. Dukakis was a prominent American Democratic politician who served as Governor of Massachusetts and was the Democratic Party's presidential nominee in the 1988 United States presidential election. Known for his progressive policies and technocratic approach, Dukakis was a significant figure in late 20th-century American politics.
- 04 Nov 1933 First Manned Rocket Launch: Otto Fischer of Germany makes history as the first person to be launched in a manned rocket. The groundbreaking flight took place on the island of Rügen, using a liquid oxygen and gasoline-fueled missile. Fischer ascended to an altitude of six miles and safely returned to earth via parachute after a ten-minute flight, marking a significant milestone in aerospace technology.
- 05 Nov 1933 Spanish Basque Autonomy Vote: On November 5, 1933, Basque voters in the provinces of Vizcaya, Alava, and Guipuzcoa approved a historic resolution seeking autonomy within the Spanish state, reflecting the region's strong desire for self-governance.
- 06 Nov 1933 British PM Warns of Rising Dictatorships: In a notable speech to his cabinet and party leaders on November 6, 1933, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald expressed deep concern about the rising tide of authoritarianism in the United States and Germany. His prophetic comment about the potential 'backwash' of political extremism highlighted the growing international tensions and the early warning signs of democratic erosion in major world powers during the interwar period.
- 07 Nov 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt Elected President: Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected as the 32nd President of the United States, marking a pivotal moment in American political history during the Great Depression era. His election signaled a major shift towards progressive policies and the New Deal.
- 08 Nov 1933 Civil Works Administration Established: President Franklin D. Roosevelt creates the Civil Works Administration (CWA) as part of the New Deal, a critical economic relief program designed to provide immediate employment during the Great Depression. The CWA aimed to create jobs for over 4 million unemployed Americans.
- 09 Nov 1933 Civil Works Administration Established by FDR: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6420-B creating the Civil Works Administration (CWA), an innovative New Deal program designed to rapidly create jobs for over 4 million unemployed Americans during the depths of the Great Depression. The CWA provided temporary government-funded employment in public works projects, offering immediate economic relief and helping to rebuild national infrastructure.
- 10 Nov 1933 First Sitdown Strike in United States Labor History: Workers at the Hormel food processing factory in Austin, Minnesota, initiated the first recorded sitdown strike in the United States. This labor action, occurring during the depths of the Great Depression, marked a significant moment in American labor rights, where employees peacefully occupied the workplace to protest working conditions and demand better treatment.
- 11 Nov 1933 Dust Bowl Devastates South Dakota Farmlands: A severe dust storm ravaged South Dakota, stripping away critical topsoil from already parched and desiccated agricultural lands, exemplifying the environmental catastrophe of the Dust Bowl era that would devastate the American Great Plains throughout the 1930s.
- 12 Nov 1933 Nazi Party Electoral Dominance in Germany: The National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party) receives an overwhelming 92 percent of the vote in a national election, demonstrating the rapid consolidation of Adolf Hitler's political power and the erosion of democratic processes in Germany.
- 13 Nov 1933 First Modern Sit-Down Strike at Hormel Meat Packing Plant: On November 13, 1933, workers at the Hormel meat packing plant in Austin, Minnesota, initiated the first modern sit-down strike in labor history. This groundbreaking labor action involved workers occupying the workplace to protest working conditions and demand better treatment, marking a significant moment in the American labor movement.
- 14 Nov 1933 First Modern Sit-Down Strike by Hormel Meat Packers: On November 13, 1933, workers at the Hormel meat packing plant in Austin, Minnesota initiated the first modern sit-down strike in American labor history. This groundbreaking labor action represented a pivotal moment in workers' rights, where employees remained inside the workplace to protest working conditions and demand better treatment. By occupying the factory, workers prevented replacement workers and drew significant public attention to their grievances, setting a precedent for future labor organizing strategies.
- 15 Nov 1933 US-Soviet Diplomatic Relations Normalized: President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially ended nearly 16 years of diplomatic isolation by establishing relations with the Soviet Union. Soviet Foreign Affairs Commissar Maxim Litvinov traveled to Washington to initiate diplomatic negotiations, marking a significant shift in international relations during the early years of the Great Depression.
- 16 Nov 1933 US President Franklin Roosevelt establishes diplomatic relations with USSR.
- 17 Nov 1933 US recognizes USSR, opens trade
- 18 Nov 1933 W.D. Jones of Bonnie and Clyde Gang Arrested: W.D. Jones, a 17-year-old Texan who was a member of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde Gang, was arrested while working on a farm near Houston. After leaving the gang, Jones was apprehended and subsequently provided detailed information about the gang's criminal activities between December 1932 and August 1933. He was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for being an accessory to murders and kidnappings. Later, Jones gave interviews to biographers, offering insights into the notorious criminal group.
- 19 Nov 1933 Spanish Second Republic General Elections of 1933: The Spanish Second Republic held significant general elections on November 19, 1933, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's democratic evolution. These elections were historic for two key reasons: they were the first elections in which Spanish women were granted the right to vote, and they resulted in a decisive victory for right-wing political parties. The electoral outcome dramatically shifted the political landscape, signaling a conservative turn in Spanish politics during the tumultuous interwar period.
- 20 Nov 1933 Fukien Rebellion Against Nationalist Government: On November 20, 1933, a significant military uprising known as the Fukien Rebellion erupted in China. Led by General Chen Mingshu, officers and soldiers of the 19th Route Army revolted against their superiors in the National Revolutionary Army. The rebels attempted to establish an alternative government in Fujian Province, southeastern China, challenging the existing political order and revealing deep internal tensions within the Chinese military and political landscape.
- 21 Nov 1933 First US Ambassador to Soviet Union Takes Office: William C. Bullitt became the first United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union, marking a significant diplomatic milestone in US-Soviet relations during the early years of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. This appointment represented a key moment in diplomatic recognition and potential engagement between the two nations following the Soviet Union's establishment.
- 22 Nov 1933 Bonnie and Clyde Survive Ambush: On November 22, 1933, infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow narrowly escaped an ambush set up by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office near Sowers, Texas. Despite being wounded during the encounter, the notorious criminal duo managed to evade capture, continuing their infamous crime spree across the American Midwest.
- 23 Nov 1933 English Cricket County Teams Vote to Restrict Fast Bowling: On November 23, 1933, a pivotal meeting of cricket administrators took place where 17 captains of England's first-class county cricket teams deliberated on player safety. In a significant vote of 14 to 3, they passed a resolution to ban or restrict fast bowling techniques, motivated by growing concerns about player injuries. This decision reflected an early attempt to balance the competitive spirit of cricket with athlete protection, highlighting the sport's evolving approach to player welfare.
- 24 Nov 1933 Nazi Germany's Animal Protection Law: On November 24, 1933, Adolf Hitler signed a comprehensive animal welfare legislation that prohibited various forms of animal cruelty, including vivisection, commercial animal hunting, and inhumane slaughter practices. This law was considered groundbreaking for its time, reflecting a surprising commitment to animal rights, despite the regime's brutal human rights record.
- 25 Nov 1933 First Soviet Liquid Rocket Launch: On November 25, 1933, Soviet scientists achieved a significant milestone in rocket technology by successfully launching the first liquid-fueled rocket in the USSR. The rocket reached an impressive altitude of 261 feet (80 meters), marking an important breakthrough in early space exploration and propulsion technology.
- 26 Nov 1933 Camille Chautemps Becomes French Premier: On November 26, 1933, Camille Chautemps assumed the role of Premier of France, leading the government during a complex period of political transition in the early 1930s. Chautemps, a prominent Radical Socialist politician, took office at a time of significant economic and social challenges in France following the global economic depression.
- 27 Nov 1933 Uneventful Day in 1933: While no major historical events were recorded for November 27, 1933, this period was part of the Great Depression era in the United States. During this time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies were actively being implemented to help the country recover from severe economic challenges. The lack of a specific notable event does not diminish the broader historical context of significant societal and economic transformations happening during this period.
- 28 Nov 1933 Uneventful Day in 1933: While no specific major historical events were recorded for November 28, 1933, this period was part of the Great Depression era in the United States. During this time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies were actively being implemented to help the country recover from severe economic challenges. The global political landscape was also tense, with the rise of fascism in Europe and economic instability affecting many nations.
- 29 Nov 1933 Legendary Escape from Devil's Island: Henri Charrière, André Maturette, and Joanes Clousiot execute a daring escape from the notorious French penal colony on Devil's Island in French Guiana. This dramatic breakout would later inspire the famous book and film 'Papillon', highlighting the brutal conditions of colonial-era prison systems.
- 30 Nov 1933 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Establishes Camps in Cleveland Park District: As part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, the Civilian Conservation Corps established work camps in the Cleveland Park District. These camps provided employment and job training for young unemployed men during the Great Depression, focusing on conservation and development of natural resources.