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

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

  • 01 Dec 1935 Nazi Regime Restricts Church Communications: Reichsminister of Church Affairs Hanns Kerrl issued a decree mandating that all pastoral letters must be submitted to the government for prior approval, representing a significant escalation of Nazi control over religious institutions and freedom of expression.
  • 02 Dec 1935 British Cabinet Supports Sanctions Against Italy in League of Nations: On December 2, 1935, the British cabinet made a significant diplomatic decision to support an expanded sanctions motion against Italy at the League of Nations. The proposed sanctions would include a comprehensive oil embargo, aimed at pressuring Italy in response to its aggressive actions, particularly its invasion and occupation of Ethiopia. This decision was part of the international community's attempt to curb Italian expansionism under Benito Mussolini's fascist regime.
  • 04 Dec 1935 Death of Charles Robert Richet, Nobel Laureate: Charles Robert Richet, a distinguished French physiologist and Nobel Prize laureate, passed away. Richet was known for his significant contributions to medical science, including his work on anaphylaxis and immunology.
  • 05 Dec 1935 National Council of Negro Women Founded: Mary McLeod Bethune, a prominent African American educator and civil rights leader, established the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) in New York City. This groundbreaking organization was created to advocate for the rights, opportunities, and social advancement of African American women and their families during the challenging era of racial segregation.
  • 06 Dec 1935 Italian Bombing of Dessie during Second Italo-Ethiopian War: On December 6, 1935, Italian military aircraft conducted a strategic bombing raid targeting Emperor Haile Selassie's headquarters in the city of Dessie, Ethiopia. This attack was part of Italy's aggressive military campaign to colonize Ethiopia, which represented a significant moment in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. The bombing demonstrated the technological superiority of Italian air power and the brutal tactics employed during the conflict.
  • 07 Dec 1935 Japan's Naval Parity Demand: Japan publicly proclaimed its demand for absolute naval parity with the United States and Great Britain, signaling growing geopolitical tensions and naval ambitions in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 08 Dec 1935 Hoare-Laval Pact Proposal for Abyssinia: The Anglo-French diplomatic proposal known as the Hoare-Laval Pact was agreed upon, proposing the partition of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and ceding a significant portion of its territory to Italy. The diplomatic delegations informed the media about the plan's existence while strategically withholding specific details to allow interested governments time for review and potential negotiation.
  • 09 Dec 1935 Naval Armaments Conference in London: Representatives from six major naval powers (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States) convened in London for a critical conference aimed at reducing naval armaments and preventing potential maritime conflicts.
  • 10 Dec 1935 First Heisman Trophy Awarded: The Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, which would later become the prestigious Heisman Trophy, was awarded to halfback Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago, marking the inaugural presentation of this iconic college football honor.
  • 11 Dec 1935 Marudi Mountain Meteoroid Explosion: On December 11, 1935, a significant astronomical event occurred near Marudi Mountain in British Guyana, where a large meteoroid or small asteroid likely exploded in mid-air. The aerial detonation created extensive damage, devastating a forest area spanning over 32 kilometers in length. This event is reminiscent of the Tunguska event, demonstrating the potential destructive power of celestial objects entering Earth's atmosphere.
  • 12 Dec 1935 Nazi Lebensborn Project Established: Heinrich Himmler founded the Lebensborn Project, a controversial Nazi reproduction program designed to increase the 'Aryan' population through selective breeding and support for racially 'pure' children. The program involved providing support for racially desirable mothers and children, and often included the kidnapping of children from occupied territories who matched Nazi racial ideals.
  • 13 Dec 1935 Hoare-Laval Pact Controversy at League of Nations: The full text of the controversial Hoare-Laval Pact was publicly revealed, causing significant diplomatic tension. Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie denounced the plan as a violation of the League of Nations Covenant, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Italian invasion of Ethiopia.
  • 14 Dec 1935 James Chadwick's Nobel Lecture on the Neutron: James Chadwick delivered a Nobel lecture on the neutron, two days after receiving the 1935 Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking discovery of this fundamental subatomic particle.
  • 15 Dec 1935 War Crime Request: Chemical Warfare Authorization: Italian General Rodolfo Graziani sent a telegram to Benito Mussolini requesting unrestricted use of chemical weapons (asphyxiating gases) during the Ethiopian campaign, a clear violation of international laws of warfare and a precursor to potential war crimes.
  • 16 Dec 1935 Mussolini Authorizes Chemical Weapons in Ethiopia: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini authorized the use of chemical weapons in Ethiopia, escalating the conflict and signaling a brutal approach to colonial conquest. This decision represented a significant violation of international norms and foreshadowed the horrific military tactics that would become more prevalent in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 17 Dec 1935 First Flight of the Douglas DC-3 Airplane: The Douglas DC-3, a groundbreaking transport aircraft, made its inaugural flight on December 17, 1935. This revolutionary aircraft would go on to become one of the most significant and influential planes in aviation history. Over 16,000 units were ultimately produced, making it the most-produced aircraft of its era. The DC-3 dramatically transformed air transportation during the 1930s and 1940s, setting new standards for commercial and military aviation.
  • 18 Dec 1935 Edvard Beneš Becomes Czechoslovak President: Edvard Beneš was elected President of Czechoslovakia, a pivotal moment in the country's interwar political history. Beneš was a key democratic leader who would play a significant role in Czechoslovak politics before and after World War II.
  • 19 Dec 1935 Labour Party Censure Motion Against Baldwin Government: On December 19, 1935, Labour Party leader Clement Attlee brought a motion of censure against Stanley Baldwin's government, focusing on the controversial Hoare–Laval Pact. Attlee argued that if Samuel Hoare (then Foreign Secretary) was compelled to resign, the entire government should follow suit. Baldwin responded by taking personal responsibility for the diplomatic debacle, declaring the proposed agreement with France regarding Italy's invasion of Ethiopia as 'absolutely and completely dead'. Despite Attlee's passionate argument, the motion was decisively defeated, with 397 votes against and 165 votes in support.
  • 20 Dec 1935 Pope Pius XI Publishes Encyclical on Priesthood: Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical 'Ad Catholici Sacerdotii', providing significant guidance and theological reflection on the role and responsibilities of Catholic priests in the modern era.
  • 21 Dec 1935 Birth of John G. Avildsen, Notable Film Director: John G. Avildsen was an acclaimed American film director known for directing iconic films like 'Rocky' and 'The Karate Kid'. His work significantly influenced American cinema in the late 20th century, earning him an Academy Award for Best Director for 'Rocky' in 1977.
  • 22 Dec 1935 Anthony Eden Becomes Foreign Secretary: Anthony Eden was appointed as Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a pivotal political position during the complex pre-World War II era. This appointment would prove crucial in shaping British diplomatic strategy in the lead-up to and during World War II.
  • 23 Dec 1935 Uneventful Day in 1935: While no specific major historical events were documented for December 23, 1935, this period was part of the mid-1930s, a tumultuous decade marked by the Great Depression and rising global tensions preceding World War II. The lack of a notable event does not diminish the historical significance of the broader context.
  • 24 Dec 1935 National Council of Negro Women Established: The National Council of Negro Women was founded, marking a significant milestone in African American civil rights and women's organizational history. This organization would go on to play a crucial role in advocating for social justice, education, and empowerment of Black women in the United States.
  • 25 Dec 1935 Assassination of Tang Yu-jen in Shanghai: On December 25, 1935, Tang Yu-jen, the Vice Minister of Chinese Railways, was assassinated in Shanghai during a period of significant political tension in pre-World War II China. The murder likely reflected the complex and volatile political landscape of the time, with various factions and interests competing for power and influence.
  • 26 Dec 1935 Martial Law in Chinese Cities: Following the assassination of Tang Yu-jen, martial law was declared in three major Chinese cities: Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hankou. This event highlights the political instability and tensions in China during the mid-1930s.
  • 27 Dec 1935 Mao Zedong's Wayaopao Manifesto: Mao Zedong issued the Wayaopao Manifesto, a strategic document calling for a National United Front to resist Japanese Imperial aggression. This manifesto was a critical moment in Chinese resistance strategy during the lead-up to the Second Sino-Japanese War.
  • 28 Dec 1935 WPA Federal Art Project Gallery Opens: The Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project Gallery opens in New York City, providing critical support and employment for artists during the Great Depression and contributing to a vibrant period of American cultural production.
  • 30 Dec 1935 Italian Air Force Bombs Swedish Red Cross Hospital in Ethiopia: During the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, the Italian Air Force conducted a deliberate bombing raid on a Swedish Red Cross hospital in Ethiopia, violating international humanitarian norms and targeting medical personnel and facilities.
  • 31 Dec 1935 Birth of King Salman of Saudi Arabia: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who would later become a significant political leader in the Middle East, eventually ascending to the throne in 2015.