Major Events of August 1935: 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 1935 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of August 1935: Key Historical Moments from the Month


  • 01 Aug 1935 Chinese Communist Party's August 1 Declaration: On August 1, 1935, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issued a pivotal political declaration that marked a significant turning point in Chinese history. The declaration called for an immediate cessation of the ongoing Chinese Civil War between the Communists and Nationalists (Kuomintang), urging national unity in the face of the growing Japanese imperial threat. This strategic political move aimed to create a united front against Japanese invasion, recognizing the existential danger posed by external aggression to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  • 02 Aug 1935 Government of India Act Establishes Federation Framework: The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act of 1935, a significant legislative milestone that laid the groundwork for a potential 'Federation of India' and introduced a substantial degree of administrative autonomy for Indian provinces. This act was a critical step in the gradual process of constitutional reform in British India, providing a more structured approach to governance and setting the stage for eventual independence.
  • 03 Aug 1935 Italian Invasion of British Somaliland: As tensions escalated in the lead-up to World War II, Italian forces initiated their invasion of British Somaliland, a significant military operation that would reshape colonial territories in East Africa.
  • 04 Aug 1935 Government of India Act Receives Royal Assent: On August 4, 1935, the Government of India Act received Royal Assent from the British Parliament. This significant legislative act was a crucial step in the constitutional development of British India, introducing provincial autonomy and establishing a framework for future governance that would eventually lead to Indian independence.
  • 05 Aug 1935 Devastating Typhoon Strikes Quanzhou, China: A catastrophic typhoon hit Quanzhou, China, resulting in hundreds of fatalities. The natural disaster caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction, highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
  • 06 Aug 1935 Anti-Semitic Expulsion in Bad Tölz: On August 6, 1935, the mayor of Bad Tölz, a picturesque spa town in Bavaria, Germany, issued a deeply discriminatory order mandating that all Jewish residents must leave the town within just 24 hours. This event was part of the escalating anti-Semitic policies in Nazi Germany, representing an early, stark example of the systematic persecution and marginalization of Jewish citizens that would tragically culminate in the Holocaust.
  • 07 Aug 1935 Nazi Support Referendum in Danzig: A referendum in the Free City of Danzig showed 60% of voters supporting the Nazi Party, indicating growing Nazi influence in the region prior to World War II.
  • 08 Aug 1935 Anti-Government Riots in Toulon, France: On August 8, 1935, significant civil unrest erupted in the southern French city of Toulon, with violent anti-government protests resulting in at least 5 fatalities and between 100-200 individuals injured. The riots highlighted the intense political tensions and social instability prevalent in France during the mid-1930s, reflecting broader societal discontent with the existing political establishment.
  • 09 Aug 1935 Uneventful Day in 1935: While no specific major historical event was documented for August 9, 1935, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen without immediate global recognition. During this period, the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies were actively reshaping the nation's economic and social landscape.
  • 10 Aug 1935 Nazi Regime Eliminates Freemason Organizations: The Nazi government completed the systematic dissolution of all remaining Freemason lodges in Germany, representing another step in the regime's comprehensive suppression of independent social organizations. This action was part of the broader Nazi strategy to eliminate perceived threats to their ideological control and consolidate power by dismantling traditional civic institutions.
  • 11 Aug 1935 Hitler's Public Return After Surgery: Adolf Hitler emerged from his Bavarian mountain retreat to deliver a public address in Rosenheim, his first speech since a medical operation in May. During the speech, he warned opponents that the Nazi regime was prepared to suppress any resistance.
  • 12 Aug 1935 Aizawa Incident: Political Assassination in Imperial Japan: On August 12, 1935, Japanese Lieutenant Colonel Saburo Aizawa assassinated General Tetsuzan Nagata by stabbing him with a sword. This politically motivated murder was part of the internal power struggles and radical nationalist tensions within the Imperial Japanese military during the 1930s, reflecting the volatile political climate preceding World War II.
  • 13 Aug 1935 Pope Condemns Abyssinia Crisis: Pope Pius XI issued a strong public condemnation of the Abyssinia Crisis, describing the conflict as 'unjust' and 'unthinkable'. This papal statement drew international attention to the escalating tensions between Italy and Ethiopia, reflecting the moral stance of the Catholic Church against imperial aggression.
  • 14 Aug 1935 Social Security Act Signed into Law: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, establishing a comprehensive government pension system that would provide financial support for retired workers, marking a pivotal moment in American social welfare policy.
  • 15 Aug 1935 Tragic Aviation Accident Claims Lives of Will Rogers and Wiley Post: Renowned aviator Wiley Post and famous humorist Will Rogers were killed in a devastating aircraft crash shortly after takeoff near Point Barrow, Alaska. The plane experienced critical engine problems, leading to the fatal accident that abruptly ended the lives of two prominent American figures.
  • 16 Aug 1935 Haile Selassie's Economic Concessions to Italy: Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie attempted to avert potential Italian invasion by offering strategic economic concessions. While emphasizing his firm stance against military occupation, he proposed collaborative opportunities in mining, road construction, and railway infrastructure development as a diplomatic compromise.
  • 17 Aug 1935 AEG Demonstrates Magnetophon Tape Recorder: AEG unveiled the groundbreaking Magnetophon reel-to-reel tape recorder at the Berlin Radio Fair, marking a significant milestone in audio recording technology. This innovative device would later revolutionize sound recording, broadcasting, and music production by introducing magnetic tape as a reliable medium for capturing and reproducing audio.
  • 18 Aug 1935 Uneventful Day in 1935: While no specific major historical events were recorded for August 18, 1935, this does not mean the day was entirely without significance. During this period, the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies were actively reshaping the nation's economic and social landscape. The world was also experiencing rising tensions in Europe, with Nazi Germany increasingly asserting its power under Adolf Hitler's leadership.
  • 20 Aug 1935 Vitamin E Scientific Breakthrough: Scientists at the University of California made a significant scientific advancement by successfully isolating Vitamin E, a crucial nutrient essential for human health. This discovery would later contribute to understanding nutritional science and human metabolism.
  • 21 Aug 1935 Historic Sites Act Signed: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Historic Sites Act of 1935, establishing a federal mandate for preserving significant national historical sites and objects, marking a pivotal moment in cultural heritage conservation in the United States.
  • 22 Aug 1935 Birth of Annie Proulx, Acclaimed American Novelist: Annie Proulx was born, who would become a distinguished American novelist and journalist. She is best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'The Shipping News' and the short story 'Brokeback Mountain', which was adapted into an acclaimed film.
  • 23 Aug 1935 Banking Act of 1935 Restructures Federal Reserve: On August 23, 1935, the Banking Act of 1935 was enacted, marking a significant reform of the Federal Reserve system. The legislation removed the Treasury Secretary and the Comptroller of Currency from the Federal Reserve Board, fundamentally changing the governance and independence of the central banking system. This act was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's broader financial reforms during the Great Depression, aimed at stabilizing the banking sector and preventing future economic crises.
  • 24 Aug 1935 Ethiopian Emperor's Strategic Evacuation of Addis Ababa: In anticipation of imminent Italian aerial bombardment during the lead-up to the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie made a strategic decision to order civilians to evacuate Addis Ababa and disperse across the country. This proactive measure was designed to minimize potential civilian casualties and protect the population from the expected military assault by Italian forces.
  • 25 Aug 1935 Birth of Geraldine Ferraro: Geraldine Ferraro was born, who would later become a groundbreaking politician and the first female vice presidential candidate for a major U.S. political party, representing the Democratic Party in the 1984 presidential election.
  • 26 Aug 1935 Geraldine Ferraro: Historic Vice Presidential Candidacy: Geraldine Ferraro, a Democratic Representative from New York, made history as the first female vice presidential candidate nominated by a major political party in the United States. Her groundbreaking nomination on the Walter Mondale ticket in 1984 was a significant milestone for women's representation in American politics.
  • 27 Aug 1935 U.S. Senate Adjourns During Huey Long's Filibuster: On August 27, 1935, the 74th United States Congress adjourned for the year amidst a dramatic filibuster led by Senator Huey Long. The filibuster, which began five and a half hours before midnight, was centered on blocking a $103 million social securities bill. Long, known for his theatrical political style, used this parliamentary procedure to obstruct legislative progress and draw attention to his concerns about the proposed legislation.
  • 28 Aug 1935 Pope Condemns Abyssinian Invasion: Pope Pius XI issued a strong moral condemnation of Italy's invasion of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), describing the military action as fundamentally 'unjust' and 'unthinkable'. This papal statement highlighted the growing international tension surrounding Italy's imperial ambitions under Mussolini's fascist regime, and represented a significant moral rebuke of colonial aggression.
  • 29 Aug 1935 William Friedkin Birth: William Friedkin, renowned American film director famous for classics like 'The French Connection' and 'The Exorcist', was born on this date.
  • 30 Aug 1935 Roosevelt Signs Key Economic Legislation: On August 30, 1935, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed two significant economic bills into law: the Guffey Coal Act and the Revenue Act of 1935. These legislative actions were part of Roosevelt's New Deal economic reforms aimed at stabilizing industrial sectors and generating government revenue during the Great Depression era.
  • 31 Aug 1935 Neutrality Act Details: President Roosevelt signed the comprehensive Neutrality Act, which prohibited trade in military materials with warring countries and restricted US nationals from traveling on ships belonging to nations at war.