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

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

01 Dec 1934 Assassination of Sergei Kirov: Sergei M. Kirov, a prominent Soviet politician and close collaborator of Josef Stalin, was assassinated at the Communist Party headquarters in Leningrad. This event would become a pivotal moment in Soviet history, serving as a catalyst for Stalin's Great Purge and widespread political repression.
02 Dec 1934 Mount Palomar Observatory Mirror Casting: A significant milestone in astronomical engineering occurred when the massive 5.08-meter (200-inch) mirror for the Mount Palomar Observatory was successfully cast. This precision-engineered mirror would become a cornerstone of astronomical research, enabling unprecedented views of distant celestial objects and revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.
03 Dec 1934 Italian Colonial Expansion in North Africa: Italy officially annexed the colonial territories of Tripoli and Cyrenaica into the administrative region of Libya, consolidating its territorial control in North Africa during the period of European colonial expansion.
04 Dec 1934 Furtwängler Resigns from Berlin State Opera in Nazi Era: Renowned conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler dramatically resigned from his position as general director of the Berlin State Opera in a principled protest against the Nazi regime's increasing artistic censorship and control. His resignation symbolized the cultural resistance of artists against the oppressive cultural policies of the emerging totalitarian state, highlighting the profound impact of political ideology on artistic expression.
05 Dec 1934 Turkish Women Granted Voting Rights: In a landmark moment for gender equality, women in Turkey were officially granted the right to vote and stand for electoral office. This progressive reform was part of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's modernization efforts, signaling significant social and political transformation in the young Turkish Republic.
06 Dec 1934 Charles Michael, Duke of Mecklenburg Leads Noble House: Charles Michael became the head of the House of Mecklenburg, a prominent noble lineage in northern Germany. As Duke, he would have been responsible for managing the family's estates, maintaining its historical legacy, and representing the family's interests during a tumultuous period in European history.
07 Dec 1934 Wiley Post Discovers the Jet Stream: On December 7, 1934, pioneering aviator Wiley Post made a groundbreaking meteorological discovery while flying at high altitude over the Atlantic Ocean. He identified and documented the jet stream, a narrow band of strong, high-altitude winds that flow from west to east around the Earth. This discovery was crucial for understanding atmospheric dynamics and would later revolutionize aviation, weather forecasting, and long-distance flight planning.
09 Dec 1934 Dame Judi Dench Birth: Dame Judi Dench was born in Heworth, York, United Kingdom. She would later become a highly acclaimed actress, renowned for her work in theater, film, and television, and receive numerous prestigious awards.
10 Dec 1934 SS Concentration Camp Inspectorate Creation: Heinrich Himmler established the Inspectorate of Concentration Camps under SS General Theodor Eicke, a significant step in the Nazi regime's systematic persecution and imprisonment infrastructure.
11 Dec 1934 Bill Wilson's Recovery and AA Foundation: Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, took his last drink and entered treatment, marking a pivotal moment in his personal journey and the eventual establishment of a transformative support organization for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.
12 Dec 1934 Birth of Miguel de la Madrid: Miguel de la Madrid was born on December 12, 1934, in Mexico. He would later become the 52nd President of Mexico, serving from 1982 to 1988. De la Madrid was a significant political figure during a challenging period of economic and political transition in Mexico, known for implementing economic reforms and addressing corruption.
13 Dec 1934 Mark Hellinger Theater Opens in Manhattan: The Mark Hellinger Theater, a landmark Broadway venue owned by Warner Bros, officially opened its doors at 237 West 51st Street in New York City. This historic theater would become an important cultural landmark in the Broadway theater district, hosting numerous significant theatrical productions in the decades to follow.
14 Dec 1934 Train Accident Near Nazi Leadership: A devastating train-bus collision occurred on December 14, 1934, in Berlin, involving an express train carrying Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders. The accident resulted in 15 fatalities and 7 injuries, with all casualties occurring on the bus at a level grade crossing. This incident underscored the transportation safety challenges of the time.
15 Dec 1934 Unemployment Insurance System Approved: President Franklin D. Roosevelt's economic security advisory committee approved a landmark unemployment insurance system, which would be funded through employer payroll taxes. This policy was a critical component of the New Deal's social safety net, providing financial protection for workers during economic downturns and establishing a precedent for modern social welfare programs.
16 Dec 1934 Fascist International Congress in Montreux: The two-day Fascist International Congress convened in Montreux, Switzerland, bringing together fascist leaders and ideologues to discuss transnational fascist cooperation and strategies during the interwar period.
17 Dec 1934 Severe Tiber River Flooding in Rome: A catastrophic flood of the Tiber River displaced approximately 1,000 residents of Rome, causing significant disruption and potential property damage. The flooding highlighted the ongoing challenges of urban infrastructure and river management in early 20th-century Italy.
18 Dec 1934 Fascist Conference in Moreaux: On December 18, 1934, a low-profile fascist conference was convened in Moreaux, likely involving regional political leaders discussing ideological strategies and potential expansion of fascist influence during the interwar period.
19 Dec 1934 Japan Renounces Washington Naval Treaty: On December 19, 1934, Japan officially announced its withdrawal from the Washington Naval Treaty, a significant diplomatic moment in the lead-up to World War II. The treaty, originally signed in 1922 and extended in 1930, had attempted to limit naval armaments among major world powers. Japan's decision was driven by its frustration with being granted fewer naval capabilities compared to the United States and Great Britain, reflecting growing tensions and Japan's increasing militaristic ambitions in the Pacific region.
20 Dec 1934 Royal Engagement of Infante Jaime of Spain: On December 20, 1934, the Spanish royal family officially announced the engagement of Infante Jaime, Duke of Segovia, to Emmanuelle de Dampierre, a noblewoman of French-Italian descent. This engagement was significant in the context of Spanish royal marriages during the tumultuous period of the Second Spanish Republic, highlighting the continued social importance of royal unions despite the changing political landscape.
21 Dec 1934 Birth of Hanif Mohammad, Pakistani Cricket Legend: Hanif Mohammad, born on December 21, 1934, would become one of Pakistan's most prolific and influential cricket batsmen. Active from 1952 to 1969, he was renowned for his exceptional batting technique and was a pivotal figure in establishing Pakistan's early cricket legacy.
22 Dec 1934 International Peacekeeping Mission in Saar: British, Italian, Dutch, and Swedish troops were deployed to the Saar region to maintain peace and ensure a fair and calm environment for the upcoming January 13 referendum, demonstrating international diplomatic cooperation.
23 Dec 1934 Soviet Political Purge: Zinoviev and Kamenev Arrested: The Soviet Union announced the arrest of prominent Bolshevik leaders Grigory Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev in connection with the assassination of Sergey Kirov, a key event in Stalin's Great Purge. This arrest was part of a broader political crackdown targeting potential opposition within the Communist Party.
24 Dec 1934 Lionel Barrymore's Annual Christmas Carol Radio Performance: Actor Lionel Barrymore begins a beloved annual tradition during the Golden Age of Radio by performing as Ebenezer Scrooge in dramatizations of Charles Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol'. This tradition would continue until shortly before his death in 1954, and he also recorded a 78-RPM album of the classic story, later released on LP.
25 Dec 1934 South African Cricket Team's Record-Breaking Performance: In a remarkable display of batting prowess, the South African cricket team achieved a historic milestone by scoring four individual centuries during a match against Queensland. The team amassed an impressive total of 7-644 runs, demonstrating exceptional skill and dominance in this cricket encounter.
26 Dec 1934 Yomiuri Giants Baseball Team Established: The Yomiuri Giants, Japan's pioneering professional baseball team, is officially formed, marking a significant milestone in Japanese sports history and laying the groundwork for professional baseball in the country.
27 Dec 1934 Reza Shah Renames Persia to Iran: Reza Shah Pahlavi officially declared that the country of Persia would henceforth be known as Iran, signaling a modernization effort and national rebranding that reflected the country's evolving national identity.
28 Dec 1934 Birth of Dame Maggie Smith: Dame Maggie Smith, a renowned British actress known for her exceptional performances in theater, film, and television, was born on this date. She would go on to become an Academy Award winner and a highly respected figure in the entertainment industry.
29 Dec 1934 Japan Renounces Naval Treaties: Japan officially renounces the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and the London Naval Treaty of 1930, signaling a significant shift in international maritime power dynamics and escalating tensions in the lead-up to World War II.
30 Dec 1934 Mussolini's Directive for Abyssinian Invasion: On December 30, 1934, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini drafted a critical memorandum to Marshal Pietro Badoglio outlining his strategic plan for the invasion of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia). In this directive, Mussolini explicitly stated his war objective was the complete destruction of the Abyssinian army and total conquest of the territory. This document represents a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, revealing Mussolini's aggressive imperial ambitions in Africa.
31 Dec 1934 Paraguay's Victory in the Chaco War: In a significant military engagement, Paraguay secured another strategic victory in the Chaco War, with 1,200 Bolivian soldiers surrendering at the Ibibobo location, further solidifying Paraguay's territorial gains.