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

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

01 Sep 1934 Major United States Textile Workers' Strike: A significant labor movement erupted as approximately 1 million textile workers across the United States simultaneously went on strike, demanding better working conditions and wages.
02 Sep 1934 Hitler Assumes Presidential Power After Hindenburg's Death: On September 2, 1934, German President Paul von Hindenburg passed away, marking a pivotal moment in German history. Following his death, and with the support of the German military (Wehrmacht), Adolf Hitler consolidated power by merging the roles of Chancellor and President, effectively becoming the Führer and Reich Chancellor. This event represented a critical turning point in the Nazi Party's rise to absolute power in Germany, eliminating the last significant constitutional barrier to Hitler's total control.
03 Sep 1934 Tunisia's Independence Movement Begins: On September 3, 1934, Tunisia initiated its significant political movement towards independence from French colonial rule. This marked an important moment in North African anti-colonial resistance, with Tunisian nationalist leaders beginning to organize and articulate their demands for self-governance and national sovereignty.
04 Sep 1934 Havana Bombing During Government Workers' Strike: A violent incident occurred in Havana during a nationwide strike of government workers, resulting in 8 fatalities from bomb explosions. This event highlights the political tensions and labor unrest in Cuba during the 1930s.
05 Sep 1934 Hitler Proclaims 'Thousand Year Reich': During the 8th Nuremberg Rally, Adolf Wagner read a proclamation written by Hitler that first established the concept of a 'Thousand Year Reich'. Hitler declared that the Nazi revolution was complete and proclaimed there would be no more revolutions in Germany for the next 1,000 years, signaling the Nazi Party's intent to establish long-term totalitarian control.
06 Sep 1934 Nazi Rally in Nuremberg: Hitler Addresses Labor Youth: On September 6, 1934, Adolf Hitler reviewed a massive parade of 52,000 young laborers at the Nuremberg Rally grounds, showcasing the Nazi regime's emphasis on youth mobilization and ideological indoctrination. This event was part of the annual Nuremberg Rallies, which served as a powerful propaganda tool to demonstrate the Nazi Party's organizational strength and ideological unity.
07 Sep 1934 Morro Castle Luxury Liner Disaster: The luxury liner SS Morro Castle caught fire off the coast of New Jersey, resulting in a tragic maritime disaster that claimed 134 lives. The vessel, which was sailing from Havana to New York, was completely destroyed by the blaze, marking one of the most significant maritime tragedies of the 1930s. The fire's cause was later investigated, with suspicions of arson and potential criminal involvement.
08 Sep 1934 Morro Castle Maritime Disaster: The American luxury liner Morro Castle, a 11,500-ton passenger ship, caught fire off the coast of New Jersey, resulting in a catastrophic maritime tragedy. The ship was completely destroyed and deemed beyond repair, with 134 passengers and crew losing their lives in the devastating incident.
09 Sep 1934 Anti-Fascist Counter-Demonstration at Hyde Park: A massive anti-fascist counter-demonstration was held outside the venue where Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists (BUF) was holding a rally. Tensions escalated as anti-fascist protesters heckled speakers and attempted to disrupt the meeting, resulting in violent confrontations with BUF bodyguards. This event highlighted the growing political tensions and resistance against fascist movements in 1930s Britain.
10 Sep 1934 8th Nuremberg Rally Concludes: The 8th Nuremberg Rally, a significant propaganda event of the Nazi regime, concludes with a closing address by Adolf Hitler. These rallies were instrumental in promoting Nazi ideology and demonstrating the party's growing power in pre-World War II Germany.
11 Sep 1934 Mail Bomb Plot Against US Ambassador in Cuba: On September 11, 1934, Cuban authorities intercepted a dangerous terrorist plot targeting the United States Ambassador to Cuba, Jefferson Caffery. Five separate mail packages containing explosive devices were discovered and successfully confiscated before they could reach their intended target. This incident highlighted the volatile political tensions and potential security risks during the early years of Cuban-American diplomatic relations in the 1930s.
12 Sep 1934 Baltic Entente Established: On September 12, 1934, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia signed a significant mutual defense and cooperation treaty, forming the Baltic Entente. This diplomatic agreement was strategically designed to provide collective security and political solidarity among the three Baltic states, primarily in response to potential threats from the Soviet Union during the increasingly tense interwar period.
13 Sep 1934 Judge Landis Sells World Series Broadcast Rights to Ford: In a groundbreaking media and sports business deal, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the first Commissioner of Baseball, sold the exclusive broadcast rights for the World Series to the Ford Motor Company for $100,000. This transaction represented a significant milestone in the commercialization of sports broadcasting and marked an early example of corporate sponsorship in professional sports.
14 Sep 1934 President Roosevelt's Yacht Excursion and Naval Escort: On September 14, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt departed from Hyde Park, New York, to attend Cup Races aboard his personal yacht, the Nourmahal. In a display of presidential maritime privilege, Roosevelt requested a naval destroyer to accompany and escort his yacht. The USS Cuyahoga was assigned to provide this escort duty, traveling from Poughkeepsie to ensure the president's safe and ceremonial passage.
15 Sep 1934 Australian Federal Election of 1934: The Australian federal election was held on September 15, 1934, with the incumbent United Australia Party (UAP), led by Prime Minister Joseph Lyons, successfully retaining power. This election reinforced the political stability of the UAP during the interwar period and demonstrated Lyons' continued popularity among the electorate.
16 Sep 1934 Uneventful Day in 1934: While no specific major historical events were documented for September 16, 1934, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. During this period, the world was experiencing significant global transitions, including the rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe, ongoing economic recovery from the Great Depression, and increasing international tensions leading toward World War II.
17 Sep 1934 Soviet Union Joins League of Nations: On September 17, 1934, the Soviet Union was admitted to the League of Nations, marking a significant diplomatic milestone in international relations during the interwar period. This event represented a key moment of Soviet engagement with the global diplomatic community, potentially signaling a shift in the USSR's international stance after years of diplomatic isolation.
18 Sep 1934 Soviet Union Joins the League of Nations: On September 18, 1934, the Soviet Union was admitted to the League of Nations, marking a significant diplomatic milestone. The general assembly adopted a resolution that not only admitted the USSR but also granted it a permanent seat on the League's Board. This event represented a major shift in international relations, as the Soviet Union transitioned from being an isolated revolutionary state to a recognized participant in global diplomacy.
19 Sep 1934 Bruno Hauptmann Arrested for Lindbergh Baby Murder: On September 19, 1934, Bruno Richard Hauptmann was arrested in connection with the infamous kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the young son of renowned aviator Charles Lindbergh. This arrest was a pivotal moment in one of the most sensational criminal cases of the 1930s, which had captured national attention and shocked the American public.
21 Sep 1934 Muroto Typhoon Devastates Honshu: DUPE
22 Sep 1934 Gresford Mining Disaster: A catastrophic mining explosion occurred at the Gresford Colliery in North Wales, resulting in the tragic deaths of 266 miners and rescue workers. This devastating incident is considered one of the worst mining disasters in British industrial history, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by coal miners during the early 20th century.
23 Sep 1934 Nazi Influence in German Protestant Church: Ludwig Müller was proclaimed the supreme head of the German Protestant church at the Berlin Cathedral, despite significant opposition from hundreds of pastors who publicly denounced his appointment from their pulpits. This event marked a critical moment of Nazi infiltration and control over religious institutions during the rise of the Third Reich.
24 Sep 1934 Babe Ruth's Final Yankees Game: Babe Ruth played his final game as a New York Yankee, going 0-for-3 at Griffith Stadium in Washington during a 5-3 loss to the Senators, symbolizing the end of his iconic Yankees career.
25 Sep 1934 Lou Gehrig's Remarkable Consecutive Game Streak: Lou Gehrig achieved a remarkable milestone by playing in his 1,500th consecutive Major League Baseball game on September 25, 1934. Known as the 'Iron Horse', Gehrig demonstrated extraordinary durability and consistency, setting a record that would stand for decades and symbolize his incredible athletic endurance and commitment to the sport.
26 Sep 1934 Launch of RMS Queen Mary: The iconic British ocean liner RMS Queen Mary was launched at John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland. This massive passenger ship was a symbol of British maritime engineering and luxury, measuring 1,019 feet long and weighing 80,774 gross tons. She would go on to become one of the most famous transatlantic ocean liners of the 1930s and 1940s, serving both as a passenger vessel and a troop transport during World War II.
28 Sep 1934 Birth of Brigitte Bardot: Brigitte Bardot, an iconic French actress, model, and pioneering animal rights activist, was born in Paris, France. She would later become a global sex symbol and cultural icon of the 1950s and 1960s, known for her roles in films like 'And God Created Woman' and her significant influence on fashion and popular culture.
29 Sep 1934 Stanley Matthews England Debut: Stanley Matthews made his historic first appearance for the England national football team, launching what would become a record-breaking 23-year international career. Matthews, often referred to as the 'Wizard of the Dribble', would go on to become one of the most legendary footballers in British history.
30 Sep 1934 Boulder Dam Dedication by President Roosevelt: President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially dedicated the Boulder Dam (later renamed Hoover Dam), a monumental engineering project on the Colorado River that would provide hydroelectric power, flood control, and water management for the southwestern United States.