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

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

01 Nov 1934 Churchill Warns of German Rearmament: In a pivotal speech to his constituency, Winston Churchill raised urgent concerns about Germany's clandestine military preparations. He emphasized that Germany was arming itself 'secretly, illegally, and rapidly', highlighting the growing threat of Nazi Germany's expansionist ambitions in the lead-up to World War II.
02 Nov 1934 League of Nations Mediates Colombia-Peru Border Dispute: In a significant diplomatic achievement, the League of Nations successfully intervened to prevent potential armed conflict between Colombia and Peru over the disputed Leticia region. A team of American diplomats played a crucial role in mediating the territorial dispute, employing diplomatic negotiations to defuse tensions and avoid military confrontation. This peaceful resolution demonstrated the international community's commitment to resolving territorial conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
03 Nov 1934 First Diesel-Electric Submarine Launched in Germany: The German U-1, pioneering the diesel-electric submarine technology, was launched on November 3, 1934. This innovative vessel represented a significant advancement in naval engineering, combining diesel propulsion with electric motors, which would dramatically improve submarine operational capabilities and range.
04 Nov 1934 First Ranji Trophy Cricket Tournament Match: A historic moment in Indian cricket occurred when the inaugural match of the prestigious Ranji Trophy cricket tournament was played between Madras and Mysore at the iconic Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. This match marked the beginning of what would become India's premier domestic first-class cricket competition.
05 Nov 1934 Churchill Warns of German Re-armament: Winston Churchill delivered a critical warning to the British government about Germany's secret, illegal, and rapid re-armament. His speech highlighted growing concerns about Nazi Germany's military preparations and the potential threat to European stability, presaging the approaching World War II.
06 Nov 1934 1934 United States Congressional Elections: The 1934 Congressional elections resulted in a significant Democratic Party victory. Democrats gained nine seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives, solidifying their overwhelming majority with over two-thirds control of both legislative chambers. This election further consolidated Democratic power during the New Deal period.
07 Nov 1934 First African American Democratic Congressman Elected: Arthur L. Mitchell makes history by becoming the first Black Democratic congressman in the United States, breaking significant racial barriers in American political representation.
08 Nov 1934 Ford Frick Becomes National League President: On November 8, 1934, Ford Frick was appointed as the President of the National League, marking a significant moment in professional baseball administration. As the league's publicity director prior to this role, Frick brought extensive experience in sports media and organizational leadership to the position. His appointment would prove influential in shaping the league's policies and public image during a critical period in baseball history.
09 Nov 1934 Birth of Carl Sagan, Renowned Astronomer and Science Communicator: Carl Sagan, a pioneering astronomer, planetary scientist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, and acclaimed science communicator, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout his career, Sagan would become instrumental in popularizing science to the general public through his groundbreaking television series 'Cosmos' and numerous influential books. He made significant contributions to space exploration, planetary research, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), while also being a passionate advocate for scientific skepticism and critical thinking.
10 Nov 1934 Birth of Norm Cash, MLB First Baseman: Norm Cash was born in Eldorado, Texas, USA. He would go on to become a prominent first baseman for the Detroit Tigers, playing a significant role in Major League Baseball during his career. Cash was known for his powerful batting and defensive skills at first base, becoming an important player for the Tigers in the 1950s and 1960s.
11 Nov 1934 Shrine of Remembrance Dedication in Melbourne: The Shrine of Remembrance, a significant memorial to Australian veterans, was officially dedicated in Melbourne, Australia. This war memorial honors those who served and sacrificed during World War I and subsequent conflicts, symbolizing national remembrance and respect for military service.
12 Nov 1934 Birth of Charles Manson: Charles Manson, a notorious American criminal and cult leader who would later become infamous for leading the Manson Family cult and orchestrating multiple murders in the late 1960s, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His life would become a dark chapter in American criminal history, symbolizing the dangerous potential of charismatic manipulation.
13 Nov 1934 Egon Kisch's Dramatic Melbourne Arrival: Czech journalist Egon Kisch dramatically jumped from the ship Strathaird onto Melbourne's concrete dock, breaking his leg. This was a deliberate act to prevent potential arrest and detention upon entering Australian soil, showcasing his political defiance.
14 Nov 1934 Salvador Dalí's Eccentric New York Arrival: On November 14, 1934, surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala arrived in New York City aboard the ocean liner SS Champlain. In a quintessentially Dalí-esque moment, he greeted the American media while dramatically holding a massive 2.5-metre long loaf of bread, intending to distribute it like Saint Francis with his birds. Ironically, none of the reporters showed interest in his theatrical bread-sharing performance, much to Dalí's disappointment.
15 Nov 1934 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Harold C. Urey: Harold C. Urey was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking discovery of deuterium, a heavy isotope of hydrogen. This significant scientific achievement advanced understanding of atomic structure and isotope separation, with profound implications for nuclear physics and chemistry.
16 Nov 1934 Egon Kisch Legal Battle in Australia: On November 16, 1934, Australian High Court Justice H. V. Evatt ordered Egon Kisch discharged from detainment aboard the *Strathaird*. After his release, Kisch was taken to a police station where customs officials attempted to enforce the controversial 'dictation test', a mechanism used to restrict immigration. Despite being fluent in 11 languages, Kisch refused to take the test in Gaelic, which was deliberately chosen to make him 'fail'. As a result, he was charged as a prohibited immigrant and subsequently taken to hospital to treat a broken leg, highlighting the discriminatory immigration policies of the time.
17 Nov 1934 Lyndon B. Johnson Marries Claudia Alta Taylor: Lyndon B. Johnson, who would later become the 36th President of the United States, married Claudia Alta Taylor, known popularly as 'Lady Bird' Johnson, in a significant personal milestone that would shape his political and personal life.
18 Nov 1934 Nazi Party Electoral Victory in Danzig: The Nazi Party secured a significant electoral victory in the Free City of Danzig (modern-day Gdańsk, Poland), demonstrating their growing political influence in the region. Despite the presence of opposition parties, the Nazi Party managed to win the elections, signaling the increasing popularity of Nazi ideology in this strategically important Baltic port city.
19 Nov 1934 Professional Wrestling's Staged Nature Exposed by New York Daily News: On November 19, 1934, the New York Daily News published a groundbreaking headline that pulled back the curtain on professional wrestling's scripted performances. The headline 'Londos and Marshall Meet at Garden Tonight for the 26th Time. Score – Londos 26, Marshall 0' dramatically revealed the predetermined nature of wrestling matches. Wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer intentionally exposed the industry's staged outcomes as an act of revenge against his former business associates. The revelation had immediate consequences, causing a significant drop in wrestling event attendance as fans realized the matches were choreographed entertainment rather than genuine athletic competitions.
20 Nov 1934 The Business Plot: Alleged Fascist Coup Attempt Against Roosevelt: Retired U.S. Marine Corps officer Smedley Butler testified before a House of Representatives committee, alleging a conspiracy among Wall Street interests to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration and replace it with a fascist dictatorship. This dramatic accusation, known as the Business Plot, suggested a potential coup attempt against the democratically elected government.
21 Nov 1934 Yankees Acquire Joe DiMaggio: The New York Yankees purchased baseball legend Joe DiMaggio from the San Francisco Seals, a move that would significantly impact the team's future success and baseball history.
22 Nov 1934 Dora Russell Divorces Philosopher Bertrand Russell: On November 22, 1934, Dora Russell was granted a divorce from her renowned philosopher husband Bertrand Russell in a British court. The divorce was finalized on grounds of alleged immoral conduct, which was a significant personal and social event in the intellectual circles of early 20th-century Britain. This legal proceeding highlighted the complex personal dynamics of the Russell marriage and reflected the evolving social norms around marriage and personal relationships during the interwar period.
23 Nov 1934 Italian Garrison Discovered in Ethiopian Territory: An Anglo-Ethiopian boundary commission conducting a territorial survey in the Ogaden region discovered an Italian military garrison positioned at Walwal, which was clearly situated within Ethiopian sovereign territory. This provocative discovery became a critical diplomatic incident that significantly escalated tensions between Italy and Ethiopia, ultimately serving as a key precursor to the Abyssinia Crisis and the subsequent Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.
24 Nov 1934 ANZAC War Memorial Unveiled in Sydney: The ANZAC War Memorial was officially unveiled in Sydney, Australia, commemorating the brave soldiers who served and sacrificed their lives during World War I. This memorial stands as a powerful symbol of national remembrance and honors the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in the Great War.
25 Nov 1934 Uneventful Day in Global History: On November 25, 1934, no major historical events were recorded in the primary sources consulted. This day appears to have been relatively quiet across global political, social, and cultural landscapes during the interwar period.
26 Nov 1934 Assassination of Sergei Kirov in Soviet Union: In a pivotal moment of Soviet political intrigue, Politburo member Sergei Kirov was assassinated at the Communist Party headquarters in Leningrad by Leonid Nikolaev. Historians widely believe that Soviet leader Joseph Stalin orchestrated this murder, which became a significant catalyst for the Great Purge and Stalin's subsequent political repressions.
27 Nov 1934 Death of Baby Face Nelson in FBI Shootout: On November 27, 1934, notorious bank robber Lester Joseph Gillis, better known as 'Baby Face Nelson', was killed in a violent confrontation with FBI agents near Barrington, Illinois. Nelson was infamous for his ruthless criminal activities and had gained significant notoriety as a member of John Dillinger's gang. He was particularly known for being the first criminal to have killed more FBI agents than any other during the Depression-era crime wave. The shootout marked the end of one of the most dangerous and high-profile criminals of the 1930s.
28 Nov 1934 Churchill Warns of German Rearmament: Winston Churchill delivered a critical speech to the House of Commons, urgently calling on the British government to increase defense spending. He emphasized the grave threat posed by Germany's secret, illegal, and rapid rearmament efforts, highlighting the potential military danger to European stability.
29 Nov 1934 First Nationally Broadcast NFL Game: The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions made history by participating in the first nationally broadcast NFL game, a milestone in sports media and telecommunications. The Bears won the game 19-16, showcasing the growing popularity of professional football in the United States.
30 Nov 1934 Lázaro Cárdenas Becomes President of Mexico: Lázaro Cárdenas was inaugurated as President of Mexico, delivering a powerful inaugural address to 60,000 people. He pledged to focus on addressing unemployment and social inequality, setting the stage for significant social reforms.