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

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

01 Oct 1933 Assassination Attempt on Engelbert Dollfuss: An assassination attempt against Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, leader of the Fatherland's Front, resulted in serious injuries. This event highlights the political tensions and violent political climate in Austria during the early 1930s, preceding the rise of Nazi influence in the country.
02 Oct 1933 Birth of John Bertrand Gurdon: John Bertrand Gurdon was born in Dippenhall, Hampshire, England. He would later become a renowned developmental biologist who made groundbreaking contributions to cellular reprogramming and stem cell research. In 2012, Gurdon was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his revolutionary work demonstrating that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent.
03 Oct 1933 Formation of Flemish National Covenant: On October 3, 1933, Gustave Staf de Clerq established the Flemish National Covenant (Vlaams Nationaal Verbond), a significant political movement advocating for Flemish nationalism and cultural autonomy in Belgium. This organization played a crucial role in promoting Flemish identity and political interests during a complex period of Belgian national politics.
04 Oct 1933 First Publication of Esquire Magazine: Esquire magazine, a groundbreaking men's lifestyle and culture publication, was first published on October 4, 1933. Founded during the Great Depression, the magazine quickly became known for its sophisticated writing, high-quality photography, and stylish approach to men's fashion and culture. It featured notable writers like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and helped redefine the concept of men's periodicals in the United States.
05 Oct 1933 Formation of Air France: Air France is formed by merging five French airline companies, marking a significant milestone in French aviation history. The newly established national carrier begins operations with an impressive fleet of 250 planes, positioning France as a major player in the emerging commercial aviation industry.
06 Oct 1933 Uneventful Day in 1933: While no specific major historical events were recorded for October 6, 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 economic hardship. The absence of a notable event does not diminish the significant socio-economic transformations happening during this period.
07 Oct 1933 Air France Officially Established: On October 7, 1933, Air France was officially inaugurated through the strategic merger of five French airline companies. This consolidation represented a significant milestone in French aviation history, creating a national carrier that would become a symbol of French technological and transportation prowess.
08 Oct 1933 Martinez Barrios Forms Spanish Government: Diego Martínez Barrios, a prominent Spanish Republican politician, formed a new government during a tumultuous period in Spanish political history, just two years before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. This government formation was part of the complex political landscape of the Second Spanish Republic.
09 Oct 1933 Birth of Peter Mansfield, Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist: Peter Mansfield, a distinguished British physicist, was born on October 9, 1933. He would later become renowned for his groundbreaking work in medical imaging and be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his significant contributions to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology.
10 Oct 1933 First Proven Commercial Aviation Sabotage: A United Airlines Boeing 247 is destroyed by a bomb near Chesterton, Indiana, killing all 7 passengers and crew. This incident represents the first definitively proven case of sabotage in commercial aviation history, raising serious security concerns for the emerging airline industry.
11 Oct 1933 Birth of Thomas Atcitty, Native American Politician: Thomas Atcitty was born on October 11, 1933. He was an American politician of Native American descent who would later contribute to political representation and advocacy for indigenous communities in the United States.
12 Oct 1933 John Dillinger's Dramatic Jail Break: Three notorious members of John Dillinger's gang—Harry Pierpont, Russell Clark, and Charles Makley—launched a violent prison break in Lima, Ohio. They successfully freed Dillinger from the city jail and tragically killed Sheriff Jesse Sarber during the operation.
13 Oct 1933 1933 Palestine Riots Erupt: Tensions escalated in British-controlled Palestine when police forcibly dispersed a banned demonstration organized by the Arab Executive Committee. This event marked a significant moment of political unrest and highlighted the growing tensions between Arab and Jewish communities under British mandate.
14 Oct 1933 Germany's International Diplomatic Withdrawal: On October 14, 1933, Nazi Germany dramatically withdrew from the League of Nations and the World Disarmament Conference, signaling a significant shift in its international diplomatic stance. This unilateral action marked a critical moment in the lead-up to World War II, demonstrating Nazi Germany's increasing isolation and defiance of international diplomatic norms.
15 Oct 1933 Nazi Cultural Event in Munich: Adolf Hitler presided over a significant Nazi cultural ceremony in Munich, participating in the Day of German Art. During the event, he watched a parade and laid the foundation stone for the House of German Art, which was planned to replace the Glass Palace. Hitler also greeted Alberto Vassallo di Torregrossa, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bavaria, highlighting the political and cultural symbolism of the event.
16 Oct 1933 Estonia Approves New Constitution: On October 16, 1933, Estonia successfully ratified its new constitution after three consecutive referendums. This constitutional process was significant in the young nation's democratic development, following its independence from the Russian Empire in 1918. The new constitution likely aimed to solidify Estonia's democratic governance structure and national sovereignty during the interwar period.
17 Oct 1933 Einstein's Escape from Nazi Germany: On October 17, 1933, renowned physicist Albert Einstein fled Nazi Germany, seeking refuge in the United States. As a prominent Jewish intellectual who had been outspoken against the rising Nazi regime, Einstein recognized the growing danger to his life and academic freedom. His departure marked a significant moment in the exodus of Jewish scholars and intellectuals from Germany during the early years of Nazi rule. Einstein would go on to become a permanent resident of the United States, continuing his groundbreaking scientific work and becoming an important voice against fascism and for human rights.
18 Oct 1933 First Flight of Grumman F2F Fighter: On October 18, 1933, the Grumman F2F fighter airplane completed its maiden flight, piloted by test pilot Jimmy Collins. This early naval fighter represented an important milestone in the development of United States naval aviation technology during the interwar period.
19 Oct 1933 Nazi Eugenics Law Passed: The Berlin Reichstag enacted the 'Law for the Prevention of Genetically Diseased Offspring,' a deeply unethical legislation that legalized involuntary sterilization and institutionalized Nazi racial pseudoscience, targeting individuals deemed 'genetically inferior' by the regime.
20 Oct 1933 Lack of Documented Historical Events - October 1933: While no specific historical events were found for October 20, 1933, this period was part of the Great Depression era, characterized by significant economic challenges and social transformations globally.
21 Oct 1933 Germany Withdraws from League of Nations: German Chancellor Adolf Hitler formally withdrew Germany from the League of Nations, a significant diplomatic move that signaled Germany's increasing isolation and defiance of post-World War I international agreements. This action was part of Hitler's broader strategy to challenge the Treaty of Versailles and reassert German sovereignty.
22 Oct 1933 Primo Carnera Wins Heavyweight Boxing Championship: On October 22, 1933, Italian boxer Primo Carnera defeated Paulino Uzcudun in a 15-round heavyweight championship bout, securing his place in boxing history. Carnera, known for his impressive size and strength, successfully claimed the world heavyweight title through a decisive victory.
23 Oct 1933 Birmingham's 40,000th Council House Opened: On October 23, 1933, Neville Chamberlain, who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, officially opened the 40,000th council house in Birmingham, located on the Weoley Castle estate. This milestone represented a significant achievement in the city's public housing development during the interwar period, reflecting the British government's commitment to providing affordable housing for working-class families.
24 Oct 1933 Premiere of Mulatto by Langston Hughes: On October 24, 1933, Langston Hughes' groundbreaking play 'Mulatto' premiered in New York City. The play, which explored racial tensions and identity in the American South during the early 20th century, was a significant work in African American theatrical history. Hughes, a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, used the play to critically examine racial dynamics, interracial relationships, and the complex social structures of segregation era America.
25 Oct 1933 Roosevelt's Gold Purchase Program Initiated: On October 25, 1933, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented a significant economic policy shift by introducing a gold purchase program. This initiative involved buying gold at prices higher than the existing standard rate of $20.67 per ounce, which was a key component of his broader New Deal economic recovery strategy during the Great Depression.
26 Oct 1933 Formation of Albert Sarraut's Government in France: On October 26, 1933, Albert Sarraut formed a new government in France, taking leadership during a period of political complexity in the Third Republic. Sarraut, a prominent Radical Socialist politician, assumed the role of Prime Minister during a time of economic challenges and rising international tensions.
27 Oct 1933 Nazi Government Passes Discriminatory Editors Law: On October 27, 1933, the Nazi regime in Germany enacted the 'Editors Law' (Schriftleitergesetz), which was a critical component of their systematic efforts to control media and promote racial discrimination. This law mandated that only individuals of 'Aryan' descent could work as journalists, effectively purging Jewish and other non-'Aryan' professionals from the media industry. The legislation was part of the broader Nazi strategy to control information dissemination and promote their racist ideology, severely restricting press freedom and marginalizing minority groups.
29 Oct 1933 Death of Paul Painlevé, French Mathematician and Politician: On October 29, 1933, Paul Painlevé, a prominent French mathematician and political figure, passed away at the age of 69. Painlevé was notable for his contributions to mathematics and his brief but significant political career, having served as Prime Minister of France twice - in 1917 and 1925. His work bridged the worlds of academic scholarship and national leadership during a tumultuous period in French history.
30 Oct 1933 President Roosevelt's Administrative Day: On October 30, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt engaged in a series of high-level governmental meetings, demonstrating the intense administrative work during the early years of the New Deal. His day involved consultations with key officials including Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr., Secretary of State Cordell Hull, and Senator Gerald P. Nye. The meetings likely focused on economic recovery strategies, banking reforms, and ongoing policy development in response to the Great Depression.
31 Oct 1933 Samuel Insull Evades Legal Prosecution in Greece: Samuel Insull, a prominent American utilities tycoon and former head of Commonwealth Edison, successfully avoided extradition from Greece after fleeing the United States to escape multiple financial fraud charges. Insull had been accused of massive investor fraud and mismanagement during the early years of the Great Depression, which led to significant financial losses for thousands of shareholders. His legal maneuvering in Greece represented a dramatic chapter in one of the most notorious corporate scandals of the 1930s.