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

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

  • 01 Jul 1934 Nazi SA Leader Ernst Röhm Assassinated: Ernst Röhm, the leader of the Nazi SA (Sturmabteilung), was assassinated as part of the Night of the Long Knives, a purge orchestrated by Adolf Hitler to eliminate potential rivals within the Nazi Party.
  • 02 Jul 1934 Night of the Long Knives Concludes: The Night of the Long Knives, a brutal political purge orchestrated by Adolf Hitler, ended after three days of systematic killings targeting potential political rivals within the Nazi Party and beyond, particularly focusing on the leadership of the SA (Sturmabteilung).
  • 03 Jul 1934 Hitler Legalizes Night of the Long Knives: Adolf Hitler's cabinet formally approved a measure retroactively declaring the extrajudicial killings of the Night of the Long Knives as legal acts of state self-defense, effectively sanctioning the brutal purge of potential political rivals within the Nazi Party.
  • 04 Jul 1934 Death of Marie Curie, Pioneering Scientist: Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the renowned Polish scientist who revolutionized our understanding of radioactivity, passed away. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry).
  • 05 Jul 1934 Bloody Thursday: San Francisco Longshoremen Strike Turns Violent: On July 5, 1934, a pivotal moment in American labor history occurred when police opened fire on striking longshoremen in San Francisco during the West Coast waterfront strike. The confrontation erupted on Rincon Hill when local industrial interests attempted to move cargo using non-union labor under police protection. The violent clash resulted in two workers being killed and 69 others injured, marking a significant escalation in labor tensions.
  • 06 Jul 1934 U.S. Navy Riot in Nice, France: On July 6, 1934, tensions escalated in Nice, France, when a serious altercation broke out between U.S. Navy sailors and local authorities. The incident began when a sailor from the USS Arkansas was shot by a French police officer, who claimed the sailor was harassing a young woman on the street. The officer stated he fired in self-defense after being attacked. The confrontation quickly spiraled into widespread violence, with sailors engaging in multiple café brawls throughout the city. In total, 27 people were injured during the riot, highlighting the complex diplomatic and cultural tensions that could arise between military personnel and local populations during this era.
  • 07 Jul 1934 Elizabeth Ryan's Historic Wimbledon Doubles Victory: Elizabeth Ryan, an exceptional American tennis player, secured her remarkable 12th Wimbledon doubles championship, solidifying her status as one of the most accomplished doubles players in tennis history. Her achievement represents a pinnacle of athletic excellence and dominance in women's tennis during the early 20th century.
  • 08 Jul 1934 Death of Menahem Mendel Beilis: Menahem Mendel Beilis, a Russian Jewish man famously known for being wrongfully accused of ritual murder in a highly publicized antisemitic trial in 1913, passed away on July 8, 1934. His case was a significant moment in highlighting antisemitic persecution and judicial injustice in early 20th-century Russia.
  • 09 Jul 1934 Birth of Michael Graves: Michael Graves, a prominent American architect and designer, was born on July 9, 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana. A key figure in the postmodern architecture movement, Graves was renowned for his innovative designs that blended playful colors and geometric shapes, including notable works like the Portland Building and numerous consumer product designs for companies like Target.
  • 10 Jul 1934 Tragic Death of Erich Mühsam in Nazi Concentration Camp: Erich Mühsam, a prominent German Social Democrat and author, was killed in the Oranienburg concentration camp, representing the brutal persecution of political dissidents during the early Nazi regime.
  • 11 Jul 1934 Presidential Panama Canal Passage: Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first sitting U.S. President to travel through the Panama Canal aboard the U.S.S. Houston, marking a significant diplomatic and technological milestone.
  • 12 Jul 1934 General Textile Strike of 1934 Begins in Alabama: Workers at the Dwight cotton textile mill in Gadsden, Etowah County, initiated a pivotal labor strike. This event was part of a broader nationwide textile workers' movement during the Great Depression, highlighting labor tensions and workers' rights struggles in the 1930s.
  • 13 Jul 1934 Hitler's Reichstag Speech Justifying the Night of the Long Knives: Adolf Hitler delivered a 90-minute nationally broadcast speech to the Reichstag, attempting to justify the recent purge known as the Night of the Long Knives. In this speech, Hitler accused the eliminated individuals of treason and plotting against him, effectively using propaganda to legitimize the violent suppression of potential political rivals within the Nazi Party.
  • 14 Jul 1934 Nazi Germany Establishes People's Court: Adolf Hitler inaugurated the Volksgerichtshof (People's Court), appointing 32 judges loyal to the Nazi regime. The court's initial mandate was to adjudicate cases involving SA members arrested during the Night of the Long Knives and imprisoned communists, marking a significant step in consolidating Nazi judicial control.
  • 15 Jul 1934 Continental Airlines Founded: Continental Airlines officially commenced operations on July 15, 1934, marking the beginning of what would become a significant player in the United States commercial aviation industry. The airline started as a small regional carrier and would eventually grow to become one of the major airlines in the country before merging with United Airlines in 2010.
  • 16 Jul 1934 Alaska P. Davidson's Death: Alaska P. Davidson, America's first female FBI agent, passed away at the age of 66 on July 16, 1934, marking the end of a pioneering career in law enforcement.
  • 17 Jul 1934 Babe Ruth Milestone in Baseball: Baseball legend Babe Ruth achieved a significant career milestone by drawing his 2,000th base on balls during a game in Cleveland, further cementing his status as one of the most remarkable players in baseball history.
  • 18 Jul 1934 Hitler's Reichstag Speech Justifying the Night of the Long Knives: On July 18, 1934, Adolf Hitler delivered a significant speech to the Reichstag, retrospectively justifying the recent 'Night of the Long Knives' (Röhm Purge), during which he ordered the execution of numerous political opponents, including Ernst Röhm, leader of the SA (Sturmabteilung). In this speech, Hitler portrayed the killings as a necessary action to prevent a potential coup and maintain the stability of the Nazi regime.
  • 19 Jul 1934 San Francisco General Strike Conclusion: The San Francisco general strike was officially called off after 77 intense hours of labor action, marking a significant moment in the city's labor history during the Great Depression era. The strike's resolution represented an important turning point in labor-management relations.
  • 20 Jul 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters Strike: 'Bloody Friday': On July 20, 1934, a violent confrontation occurred in Minneapolis during the labor uprising known as 'Bloody Friday'. Minneapolis police, acting under orders from the Citizens Alliance (an anti-labor employers' group that controlled the city government), fired upon striking truck drivers and their supporters at the intersection of 3rd and 6th streets. The brutal crackdown resulted in 67 workers being shot, marking a significant moment in American labor history.
  • 21 Jul 1934 Death of Marshal Hubert Lyautey: Marshal Hubert Lyautey, a prominent French military leader and colonial administrator known for his significant role in French colonial expansion in North Africa, passed away on July 21, 1934. Lyautey was renowned for his innovative approach to colonial governance and military strategy.
  • 22 Jul 1934 Death of John Dillinger: On July 22, 1934, notorious gangster John Dillinger, widely known as 'Public Enemy No. 1', was fatally shot by FBI agents in a dramatic confrontation outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago, Illinois. This marked the end of one of the most infamous criminal careers during the Great Depression era, as federal law enforcement successfully neutralized a high-profile bank robber and escape artist who had captured the public's imagination.
  • 23 Jul 1934 Don Bradman's Remarkable Test Cricket Performance at Headingley: On July 23, 1934, Australian cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman achieved a spectacular batting performance during a Test match at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds, England. He scored an extraordinary 304 runs, demonstrating his unparalleled batting prowess. The innings lasted 430 minutes and included an impressive 43 fours and 2 sixes, further cementing Bradman's reputation as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.
  • 24 Jul 1934 Political Execution in Vienna: On July 24, 1934, the Austrian government under Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss carried out a harsh political execution, hanging a Czechoslovakian socialist who had been involved in a railway bombing just three days earlier. This event occurred during a period of significant political tension in Austria, reflecting the volatile political climate of interwar Europe and the government's severe response to political dissent.
  • 25 Jul 1934 Failed Nazi Coup in Austria: On July 25, 1934, Nazi sympathizers attempted a coup d'état in Austria, seeking to overthrow the government and potentially merge Austria with Nazi Germany. The coup was ultimately unsuccessful but resulted in significant political turmoil and the assassination of Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss.
  • 26 Jul 1934 John Dillinger Declared Public Enemy No. 1: On July 26, 1934, notorious bank robber and criminal John Dillinger was officially designated as Public Enemy No. 1 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This designation marked him as the most wanted and dangerous criminal in the United States, succeeding Al Capone, who had held the title since 1930. Dillinger was infamous for his daring bank robberies, multiple prison escapes, and violent criminal activities during the Great Depression era, which captured significant public attention and challenged law enforcement agencies.
  • 27 Jul 1934 Nazi Assassination Attempt on Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss: On July 27, 1934, a group of Nazi sympathizers launched a violent coup attempt in Vienna, Austria, targeting Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss. The assassins infiltrated the Vienna Broadcasting Station and shot Dollfuss multiple times, critically wounding him. This failed putsch was part of the Nazi regime's broader strategy to destabilize Austria and potentially annex it into Nazi Germany. Dollfuss, a conservative authoritarian leader who opposed Nazi influence, was left bleeding and ultimately died from his wounds later that day. The assassination marked a significant moment of political tension in pre-World War II Europe, highlighting the aggressive expansionist tactics of the Nazi movement.
  • 28 Jul 1934 Jacques D'Amboise Birth: Jacques D'Amboise was born, a renowned dancer and educator who would become a prominent figure in the New York City Ballet Company. He later became famous for his exceptional performances and significant contributions to dance education, inspiring generations of dancers and choreographers.
  • 29 Jul 1934 Paul Runyan Wins 17th PGA Championship: On July 29, 1934, professional golfer Paul Runyan secured victory at the 17th PGA Championship, held at Park Country Club in Williamsville, New York. Known for his exceptional short game and precision, Runyan demonstrated remarkable skill in defeating his competitors during this prestigious tournament.
  • 30 Jul 1934 Birth of Baseball Executive Bud Selig: Allan Huber 'Bud' Selig was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who would later become a prominent baseball team owner and eventually serve as the Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1992 to 2015. Selig was the owner of the Milwaukee Brewers before taking on the leadership role of MLB, playing a significant part in shaping modern professional baseball in the United States.
  • 31 Jul 1934 Great Britain Wins Davis Cup Tennis Championship: On July 31, 1934, Great Britain triumphed over the United States in the 29th Davis Cup tennis tournament, held at the prestigious Wimbledon venue. This victory represented a significant moment in international tennis competition during the interwar period.