Major Events of August 1934: 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 1934 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of August 1934: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Aug 1934 Hitler Consolidates Power through Constitutional Manipulation: Adolf Hitler strategically maneuvered to combine the offices of Reich President and Chancellor through a new law, effectively eliminating the last institutional barrier to his absolute control of Germany and paving the way for the complete Nazi takeover of the state.
02 Aug 1934 Hitler Becomes Führer of Germany: Adolf Hitler officially assumed the role of Führer, merging the positions of Chancellor and President, effectively establishing a totalitarian regime and ending the Weimar Republic.
03 Aug 1934 Hitler Consolidates Power as Führer: Adolf Hitler officially becomes the supreme leader of Germany by merging the offices of President and Chancellor into a single role of Führer, effectively establishing a totalitarian dictatorship and marking a critical turning point in Nazi Germany's political structure.
04 Aug 1934 Dallas Green Baseball Career Begins: Dallas Green, a significant figure in baseball history as both a player and manager, was born on August 4, 1934, in Newport, Delaware. Green would go on to have a notable career in Major League Baseball, including managing the Philadelphia Phillies to their first World Series championship in 1980.
05 Aug 1934 Hitler's Pre-War Interview Claiming Peace: In a notable Daily Mail interview, Adolf Hitler publicly proclaimed that Germany would not initiate another war, a statement that would prove tragically ironic given the subsequent events of World War II. This interview occurred during the early years of Nazi control, when Hitler was consolidating power and presenting a facade of diplomatic intentions.
06 Aug 1934 Funeral of President Paul von Hindenburg: The body of Paul von Hindenburg, the President of Germany and a prominent World War I military leader, was ceremonially transported to the Tannenberg Memorial. The funeral procession was a solemn event, with mourners lining the route holding torches, symbolizing the national mourning for this significant historical figure who had played a crucial role in German politics during a tumultuous period.
07 Aug 1934 Funeral of Paul von Hindenburg: The state funeral service for Paul von Hindenburg, the President of Germany, was held with significant political symbolism. Adolf Hitler, who had recently consolidated power, delivered the final oration, marking a pivotal moment in the transition of German political leadership. Hindenburg's death represented the final step in Hitler's rise to absolute power, as he would soon combine the roles of Chancellor and President.
08 Aug 1934 Wehrmacht Oath of Loyalty to Hitler: On August 8, 1934, the Wehrmacht (German Armed Forces) formally swore a personal oath of allegiance directly to Adolf Hitler, marking a critical moment in the consolidation of Nazi power. This oath replaced the traditional military pledge of loyalty to the German constitution, symbolizing Hitler's complete control over the military and signaling a fundamental shift in the relationship between the armed forces and political leadership.
09 Aug 1934 US Silver Nationalization Act: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation nationalizing silver, a significant economic policy during the Great Depression era that aimed to stabilize the monetary system and support silver mining industries.
10 Aug 1934 Babe Ruth Announces Retirement from Full-Time Baseball: On August 10, 1934, legendary baseball player Babe Ruth made a significant announcement that he would be concluding his career as a full-time player. Known as 'The Sultan of Swat' and one of the most iconic figures in baseball history, Ruth's declaration marked the end of an era in professional sports. His remarkable career with the New York Yankees had transformed baseball and set numerous records that would inspire generations of athletes.
11 Aug 1934 Alcatraz Federal Prison Opens: On August 11, 1934, the federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay officially opened, marking a significant moment in American penal history. This notorious maximum-security facility was designed to house the most dangerous and high-profile criminals of the era, transforming the former military fortification into a symbol of strict federal incarceration.
12 Aug 1934 Babe Ruth's Final Visit to Fenway Park: On a memorable Sunday afternoon, baseball legend Babe Ruth made his last appearance at Fenway Park as a member of the New York Yankees. During this historic doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, Ruth represented the twilight of his remarkable career, symbolizing a transitional moment in baseball history. The Yankees split the doubleheader, adding dramatic tension to Ruth's farewell to this iconic ballpark.
13 Aug 1934 Hitler Becomes Führer in Controversial Referendum: In a pivotal moment of Nazi Germany's history, a national referendum results in 90% of the population approving Hitler's consolidation of power, merging the roles of President and Chancellor, effectively establishing him as the absolute dictator of Germany.
14 Aug 1934 Death of Raymond Hood, Pioneering American Architect: Raymond Hood, a prominent American architect known for his significant contributions to skyscraper design and the Art Deco architectural movement, passed away on August 14, 1934. Hood was a key figure in the development of New York City's iconic skyline during the early 20th century, designing landmark buildings such as the Rockefeller Center, the McGraw-Hill Building, and the American Radiator Building. His innovative approach to urban architecture helped shape the modern architectural landscape of the United States.
15 Aug 1934 US Marines Withdraw from Haiti: On August 15, 1934, the United States Marine Corps completed its military occupation of Haiti, which had lasted from 1915 to 1934. This withdrawal marked the end of a nearly two-decade long intervention that began with concerns about political instability and potential European influence in the Caribbean. The occupation had significant impacts on Haiti's political, economic, and social structures, and its conclusion represented an important moment in Haiti's path to sovereignty.
16 Aug 1934 Hitler's Amnesty and Referendum Preparation: Hitler's amnesty announcement went into effect, releasing prisoners in preparation for the upcoming referendum, which was part of the Nazi regime's political maneuvering.
17 Aug 1934 Hitler's Campaign Speech in Hamburg: In Hamburg, Adolf Hitler delivered a pivotal campaign speech before a crucial referendum, articulating his strategic plan to abolish the presidency. He argued that this move would prevent potential foreign interference in German political succession. Hitler strongly criticized the Weimar Republic's governance, characterizing its previous system as ineffective and overly compromising, rather than decisive and action-oriented.
18 Aug 1934 Manchukuo Severs Diplomatic Relations with Soviet Union: Manchukuo, a Japanese puppet state in Northeastern China, officially terminated diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union following a series of escalating border tensions and military incidents involving armed confrontations between soldiers.
19 Aug 1934 German Referendum Grants Hitler Sole Executive Power: A national referendum in Nazi Germany approved Adolf Hitler's consolidation of political power, granting him the combined roles of Chancellor and President with the title of Führer. This pivotal moment marked a critical transition in German governance, effectively establishing Hitler's dictatorial control.
20 Aug 1934 Nazi Germany's Military Oath Transformation: On August 20, 1934, Nazi Germany enacted a significant legal decree replacing the traditional Reichswehreid (military oath of allegiance) with the Führereid (Hitler oath). This change symbolized the complete ideological and personal loyalty transfer from the German state to Adolf Hitler, marking a critical moment in the consolidation of Nazi power.
21 Aug 1934 International Jewish Conference Condemns Nazi Germany: An international Jewish conference convened in Geneva, resolving to intensify the economic boycott against Nazi Germany until the fundamental human rights of German Jews were fully restored. The conference represented a significant early international response to the rising antisemitism and discriminatory policies of the Nazi regime.
22 Aug 1934 Al Capone Imprisoned at Alcatraz: Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone was imprisoned at the newly established Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, marking a significant moment in the fight against organized crime during the Prohibition era.
23 Aug 1934 Birth of Homer Van Meter, Depression-Era Outlaw: Homer Van Meter was an infamous American criminal who rose to notoriety during the tumultuous era of the Great Depression. Born on August 23, 1905, in Indiana, Van Meter became part of John Dillinger's notorious gang of bank robbers and was known for his daring heists and criminal exploits across the Midwestern United States. His life of crime was characterized by bold bank robberies, prison escapes, and violent confrontations with law enforcement during a time of significant economic and social upheaval.
24 Aug 1934 Dorothy Thompson Expelled from Nazi Germany: On August 24, 1934, American journalist Dorothy Thompson received an official expulsion letter from the Gestapo, ordering her to leave Germany. The Nazi secret police cited her 'numerous anti-German articles in the American press' as the reason for her forced departure. Thompson was a prominent journalist known for her critical reporting on the Nazi regime, making her expulsion a significant moment in press freedom and international tensions.
25 Aug 1934 Hardin County Onion Pickers Strike Escalates: In a dramatic labor conflict, anti-union vigilantes seized control of McGuffey, Ohio, during the Hardin County onion pickers strike. This violent incident highlighted the intense tensions between agricultural workers and local power structures in Depression-era rural Ohio, demonstrating the harsh struggles of labor organizing during the 1930s.
26 Aug 1934 Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1934: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was granted significant regulatory powers to oversee and limit the size and operational scope of public utility holding companies. This landmark legislation was a critical part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal reforms, aimed at preventing monopolistic practices and protecting consumers from potential financial abuses in the utility sector.
27 Aug 1934 Gershwin Musical Premiere in New York City: A notable musical collaboration by Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin, and the Harburgs premiered on Broadway, showcasing the vibrant musical theater scene of 1930s New York City. This performance highlighted the creative talents of some of the era's most prominent songwriters and composers.
28 Aug 1934 Upton Sinclair's California Governor Nomination: Upton Sinclair, a renowned muckraking author and progressive activist, secured the Democratic Party nomination for Governor of California. This marked a significant moment in California's political history, as Sinclair's 'End Poverty in California' (EPIC) platform challenged traditional political narratives.
29 Aug 1934 Birth of David Pryor, Arkansas Democratic Senator: David Pryor was born on August 29, 1934, in Hamburg, Arkansas. He would go on to become a prominent Democratic politician, serving as both Governor of Arkansas (1975-1979) and United States Senator from Arkansas (1979-1997). Known for his moderate political stance and folksy demeanor, Pryor was a respected figure in Arkansas politics who championed various progressive causes during his lengthy political career.
30 Aug 1934 Nazi Labor Policy Prioritizes Older Workers: On August 30, 1934, Nazi Germany implemented a controversial labor policy mandating workers under 25 years old to surrender their jobs to older, unemployed men, particularly focusing on fathers with large families. The directive required all employers to submit detailed reports to the labor office, specifying the number of young workers and their planned replacement strategies. This policy was part of the Nazi regime's broader economic and social engineering efforts during the early years of Hitler's leadership, aimed at reducing youth unemployment and supporting traditional family structures.
31 Aug 1934 First NFL Chicago All-Star Football Game: The inaugural NFL Chicago All-Star Game was played in Chicago, featuring the Chicago Bears professional team against a team of collegiate all-star players. The match ended in a scoreless 0-0 tie, marking a historic moment in professional football exhibition games.